The right to food is a human right recognized under international law, which protects the right of all human beings to feed themselves in dignity, either by producing their food or by purchasing it.
FAO plays a vital role in supporting its member States in the design of their food security laws, policies and programmes; it conducts programmes and projects at country level which enable its member States to benefit from its experience; and it generates knowledge that impacts vast areas of thematic debates on global food security.
This report explores how the normative and analytical framework of the human right to adequate food is integrated into the activities of FAO, and it identifies areas in which the contribution of FAO to the realization of the right to food could be further strengthened.
The recommendations are addressed not only to the FAO Secretariat, but also to FAO member States, institutional bodies and donors, and are intended as a contribution to their ongoing deliberations on ways and means to further strengthen the Strategic Framework and Medium Term Plan 2014-17 for the Organization. As the report highlights, the right to food principles and requirements are essential to attaining the core goals of FAO.
'Mission to the FAO', Report presented to the 22nd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, also available in French, and Spanish. See also Guardian op ed entitled 'The FAO must do more to promote food as a human right'