Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO)

Directed By: Karina Torres Figueroa

About:

Leading international efforts to eliminate global hunger, the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization was commissioned in 1945 as the United Nations’ oldest permanent specialized agency, with the goal of quelling food insecurity and “...make[ing] sure that people have regular access to enough high quality food to lead active, healthy lives.” The agency is headquartered in Rome, Italy and is comprised of 195 members, including 193 Member States, one Member Organization (the European Union) and two Associate Members (Faroe Islands and Tokelau). Led by Director General Qu Dongyu, FAO is tasked with aiding governments and organizations to coordinate and execute various activities to develop domestic and international forestry, aquaculture, agriculture and technological resources. They also lead research in agricultural innovation, operate wide-reaching educational programs, provide resources and assistance to regional projects and collect data on initiatives and agricultural developments. The FAO is governed by a biennial FAO conference, which elects a 49-member council that reviews and executes their numerous efforts. Namely, their most recent report on Right to Food Guidelines and notable initiatives like “One Country One Priority Product” reaffirms FAO’s commitment to eradicating food insecurity, particularly by promoting stronger international cooperation, strengthening access to global markets and empowering states to safeguard agricultural supply chains and prevent illicit cross-border agricultural goods. Since its founding, FAO has acted as the leading international regulatory body for all worldly agricultural goods and activities; pioneering international action, improving agrifood systems, increasing food security and fulfilling all of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

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!