Page 8 - 80 YEARS OF VOLUNTEER IMPACT WITH FAO

FOREWORD

Since 1971, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United
Nations (FAO) and United Nations Volunteers (UNV) have nurtured a
deep and impactful partnership grounded in a shared mission: to end
hunger, alleviate poverty, and foster sustainable development through
volunteerism. Over the decades, this collaboration has grown into a
dynamic force supporting communities around the world—especially
during times of increasing complexity and challenge.

Our joint efforts were significantly reinforced in 2017 with the signing of a
Memorandum of Understanding, reaffirming our mutual commitment to
volunteerism. From tackling food insecurity and building climate resilience
4 to promoting sustainable agrifood systems, UN Volunteers have brought
energy, innovation, and a deep sense of purpose to FAO’s mission on the
ground.

Since the formalization of our partnership, more than 200 UN Volunteers—two-thirds of whom represent the Global South—have served
in over 70 countries, helping to translate FAO’s strategic goals into tangible, community-level impact. Their contributions range from
advancing climate-smart agriculture in rural communities to supporting emergency agrifood systems in crisis settings.

UN Volunteers continue to bring diverse expertise and knowledge to FAO’s work, strengthening our reach and impact. Our collaboration
continues to grow in both scale, ambition and impact, with steady year-on-year increases in volunteer deployment and new joint efforts
to elevate the visibility of volunteerism as a cornerstone of sustainable development.

On the occasion of FAO’s 80th Anniversary, this photobook serves as a collection of powerful testimonies which celebrate our long-
standing partnership with UNV and the enduring impact of volunteerism in advancing FAO’s mandate of achieving food security for all,
eradicating hunger and malnutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture and rural development worldwide.

Together, FAO and UNV will continue to foster a spirit of collaboration and solidarity in service of the world’s most vulnerable populations—
grounded in the belief that sustainable development is best achieved when communities are empowered to lead their own change, with
technical experts and volunteers standing beside them every step of the way.

QU Dongyu
Director-General
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations