FAO is an intergovernmental organization with 194 member states, two associate members and one member organization, the European Union.

Its employees come from different cultures and specialize in the multiple disciplines on which FAO's activities are based. Thanks to the capacities of its staff, FAO is in a position to promote improved governance, including by producing, developing and adapting existing tools and guidelines and by providing targeted governance support to its country and regional offices. Headquartered in Rome (Italy), FAO is present in over 130 countries.