Rome is the headquarters of FAO, IFAD and the World Food Programme

Country Focus Background Agriculture & Rural

Rome is the headquarters of FAO, IFAD and the World Food Programme

Background

The United Nations system page gives "Headquarters: Rome, Italy" for three specialized bodies: the Food and Agriculture Organization, the International Fund for Agricultural Development and the World Food Programme. The page describes FAO as the agency that "leads international efforts to fight hunger", says of IFAD that it has, "since it was created in 1977, ... focused exclusively on rural poverty reduction", and says the World Food Programme "aims to eradicate hunger and malnutrition". FAO's own site states: "With 194 members - 193 countries and the European Union, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide." Italy's capital therefore holds the United Nations' food and agriculture cluster, in the way Geneva holds its health and labour bodies.

Headquarters of FAO, IFAD and WFP: Rome, Italy FAO's membership: 194 members - 193 countries and the European Union Countries FAO works in: over 130 countries worldwide IFAD created in: 1977

Why it matters for exams: Headquarters questions are among the most frequently repeated in Kerala PSC and SSC papers, and Rome is the single city that answers three of them at once.

Kerala PSCUPSCSSC

2 October 2026 Source: United Nations Updated 5 November 2026

In plain words

IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development — A Rome-based UN body that works only on reducing rural poverty.

WFP World Food Programme — The UN's food assistance agency, also headquartered in Rome.