In an address to the Food and Agriculture Organization Conference the Director General Qu Dongyu announced a program to restructure the organization to achieve greater efficiency and effect. The Council now comprises 49 member countries and is the Executive Body of the Food and Agriculture Organization.  The Council supports the vision of the Director General for the organization to preserve technical capacity and to be more flexible in responding to challenges.

The proposed structure will comprise a core leadership team with the Director General supported by three deputies, comprising the Chief Economist, the Chief Scientist and the Director of the Cabinet.  Directors of Divisions, Centers and Offices will report directly to the leadership team.  The advent of COVID-19 will require a focus on supporting members to mitigate impacts of the pandemic on both food security and systems.