The Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO’s) primary goal is to provide food security for all people by eradicating hunger, eliminating poverty, and the sustainable management of natural resources. To accomplish its mandate, FAO provides technical assistance in the form of tools and training, offers legal advice, promotes sustainable practices, supplies immediate and long-term aid, and creates a forum of equal representation and discussion. FAO operates through five strategic objectives to “help eliminate hunger…make agriculture, forestry, and fisheries more productive and sustainable, reduce rural poverty, enable inclusive and efficient agriculture and food systems, and increase the resilience of livelihoods to threats and crises.” To carry out these daunting and diverse tasks, FAO forms partnerships with various groups and organizations, including private sector companies and corporations, civil society groups, expert exchanges, regional bodies, and other United Nations (UN) subsidiaries.

The agricultural sector represents just over a quarter of the world’s jobs. With such high numbers, agricultural workers often face unique risks, including poverty, exploitation, and labor trafficking. Across the globe, vulnerable workers, which includes farmers and those who work in the agricultural sector, are continuously subjected to exploitative labor practices. For example, unsafe working environments, forced labor agreements, and wage theft are prevalent issues in the industry. Additionally, many workers also face the threat of human trafficking. With increasing poverty rates worldwide, laborers are coerced into working for unlivable wages, often for years on end. What makes labor issues in the agricultural sector unique is the decentralized nature of the industry. Agricultural supply chains span multiple regions and countries, covering all the steps from the farm to the consumer. This creates barriers to humanitarian oversight and legal enforcement of labor regulations. Since there is little regulation and protection in the agricultural sector and prominent levels of informal work, human trafficking is a severe problem that affects both adults and children around the world. Delegates in the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) must work to bridge the divide between laborers, farm owners, and governments, as well as create solutions that lead to safer working conditions for all.

A major humanitarian challenge is addressing food security and famine in conflict zones. Conflict often leads to disrupted food supply chains, displacement of populations, and destruction of agricultural infrastructure. Additionally, vulnerable populations, including displaced persons and those living in conflict-affected areas, face severe malnutrition and starvation. Conflict zones often experience a collapse of governance and law enforcement, making it difficult to implement effective food security measures and agricultural rehabilitation programs. Socio-economic instability, combined with the destruction of farmland and loss of livestock due to conflicts and natural disasters, contributes to prolonged famine and hardship for communities. To address these overlying issues, members of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) must work to provide emergency food aid, rebuild agricultural infrastructure, and ensure long-term sustainability through resilient farming practices.