A short history of FAO

1996: FAO brings together the Heads of State from 185 countries and the European Community for the World Food Summit
1995: FAO celebrates its 50th birthday
1991: International Plant Protection Convention is ratified with 92 signatories
1986: AGROSTAT, the world's most comprehensive source of agricultural information and statistics goes operational
1981: The first World Food Day observed on 16 October by more than 150 countries
1980: FAO concludes 56 agreements for the appointment of FAO Representatives in developing member countries
1976: FAO's Technical Cooperation Programme established to afford greater flexibility in responding to urgent situations
1974: UN World Food Conference in Rome recommends the adoption of an International Undertaking on World Food Security
1962: The FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission established to set international food standards becomes operational
1960: Freedom from Hunger Campaign launched to mobilize non-governmental support
1951: FAO headquarters moved to Rome from Washington, DC
1945: First session of FAO Conference, Quebec City, Canada, establishes FAO as a specialized United Nations agency
1943: Forty-four governments, meeting in Hot Springs, Virginia, United States, commit themselves to founding a permanent organization for food and agriculture