Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO)

Directed By: Karina Torres Figueroa

About:

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization was commissioned in 1945 as the UN’s oldest permanent specialized agency, with the goal of quelling food insecurity and promoting international cooperation. Topic A, "Disruptions in Global Supply Chains,” discusses how the UN can mitigate and navigate disruptions in agricultural supply chains. Delegates must examine how war, terrorism, geopolitical and trade disturbances, climate change and logistic bottlenecks undermine global supply chains and cause economic, political and humanitarian consequences. Topic B, “ Transboundary Plants, Pests, Diseases and Unlawful Products,” explores how the UN can prevent, monitor and respond to cross-border spread of harmful plants, pests, diseases and unlawful products. Delegates must analyze how international bodies, regulations and mechanisms can be leveraged to protect food security, political relations and general public health in an interconnected global system.

Committee Description:

Karina Torres Figueroa (she/her/hers) is a 2nd year Geography and Russian major as well as an International Studies in Agriculture and Life Sciences minor. She is currently serving as University of Florida Model UN’s Director of General Assembly Member Development and as a Director for both of UF’s conferences, GatorMUN and SunMUN. Karina has competed in Model UN for 5 years as a GA delegate and has previously co-chaired and staffed many conferences including GatorMUN, SunMUN and FlagMUN. Aside from Model UN, Karina is an intern at UF’s Center for European Studies and is a National Security Language Initiative for Youth and Critical Language Scholarship recipient, having studied Russian abroad in Daugavpils, Latvia and Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. In her free time, Karina loves to travel, listen to music (ask her about Car Seat Headrest, Ziferblat, or any rock music), reading, rollerskating and side questing with her friends. She is so excited to direct this FAO and cannot wait to meet all of you!

P.S. Yes, the other Karina is her roommate!