FAO Preparatory Commission on World Food Proposals

The Second Session of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Conference, held in Copenhagen, Denmark, from September 2 to 13, 1946, created a preparatory commission to consider the proposals of the Conference and any other suggestions relative to the establishment of a World Food Board. The Preparatory Commission, made up of representatives of sixteen member nations of FAO — Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Egypt, France, India, Netherlands, Philippine Republic, Poland, the United Kingdom and the United States — and representatives of four United Nations organizations — the Economic and Social Council, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Labor Office and the International Monetary Fund — began its sessions at Washington October 28. Siam, although not a member of FAO, participated as a full member in all the discussions concerning rice; the Soviet Union and Argentina, also non-members of FAO, were invited to participate as full members of the Commission but did not designate representatives, although Argentina named two observers. Fifteen FAO members, not members of the Commission, and the International Emergency Food Council (IEFC) also sent observers. The representative of Australia (Bruce) was appointed by the Director-General of FAO (Orr) to serve as chairman of the Commission.