FAS protects and advances U.S. agricultural interests by keeping U.S. policy views before the international community. In order to do this, staff:

• Assists the Secretary of Agriculture and others in maintaining liaison with international organizations to help shape their programs and keep U.S. agricultural interests in the forefront of discussions as these organizations develop their international policies;
   
• Manages and coordinates the development of USDA policy and position papers on food, agriculture, and rural development issues under consideration by international organizations;
   
• Works with the Department of State, the Agency for International Development, the Environmental Protection Agency, and others to ensure that USDA interests are represented when official U.S. Government positions are developed;
   
• Identifies and recommends to the Department of State staff for U.S. delegations to represent and protect USDA agencies' interests at international and domestic meetings of international organizations;
   
• Recruits and facilitates placement of U.S. personnel for staffs of relevant international organizations, and promotes increased use of Americans as consultants; and
   
• Leads and coordinates liaison activities with multilateral development banks, the Agency for International Development, U.S. universities, and/or other U.S. and international organizations to facilitate cooperation on international food, science, and technology issues.

Some examples of institutions FAS works with are

• the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD),

• the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO),

• the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD),

• the World Food Programme (WFP),

• the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA),

• the World Bank, and

• the Inter-American Development Bank.

Links to Food and Agriculture-Related International Organizations

Job Opportunities with International Organizations