6 Terminology and names

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The main reference for FAO terminology is the FAO Term Portal, which should be consulted in case of any doubt.

6.1 FAO-related terminology

The full name of FAO is the <correct-text>Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations<correct-text>. Note that when indicating the abbreviation, <correct-text>FAO<correct-text> is placed in parentheses at the end of the full name, not after the word <correct-text>Organization<correct-text>. 

The abbreviation is <correct-text>FAO<correct-text>, not <incorrect-text>the FAO <incorrect-text>and not <incorrect-text>F.A.O.<incorrect-text>, e.g. <correct-text>In 1951, <correct-text><correct-text-bold>FAO<correct-text-bold><correct-text> moved its headquarters to Rome<correct-text>. The abbreviation <correct-text>FAO of the UN<correct-text> is tolerated for some media purposes but should generally be avoided. Other common mistakes to avoid are the use of <incorrect-text>Agricultural<incorrect-text> or <incorrect-text>Organisation<incorrect-text>.

Write <correct-text-bold>an FAO<correct-text-bold><correct-text> regulation <correct-text>(not <incorrect-text>a FAO regulation<incorrect-text>).

Following an initial mention, <correct-text-bold>FAO<correct-text-bold> may subsequently be referred to as <correct-text-bold>the Organization<correct-text-bold>, using an initial capital, e.g. <correct-text-bold>The Organization<correct-text-bold><correct-text> has Regional Offices around the globe<correct-text>. In the same way, <correct-text>the FAO Conference<correct-text>, after it has been mentioned in full, may subsequently be referred to as <correct-text-bold>the Conference<correct-text-bold>.

<correct-text>FAO <correct-text><correct-text-bold>h<correct-text-bold><correct-text>eadquarters<correct-text> does not take a capital <correct-text>h<correct-text>. Do not use the initialism <incorrect-text>HQ<incorrect-text>. When referring to FAO's offices, whether in a specific or general context, use initial capitalization: <correct-text-bold>C<correct-text-bold><correct-text>ountry <correct-text><correct-text-bold>O<correct-text-bold><correct-text>ffices<correct-text>, <correct-text-bold>D<correct-text-bold><correct-text>ecentralized <correct-text><correct-text-bold>O<correct-text-bold><correct-text>ffices<correct-text>, <correct-text-bold>L<correct-text-bold><correct-text>iaison <correct-text><correct-text-bold>O<correct-text-bold><correct-text>ffices<correct-text>, <correct-text-bold>R<correct-text-bold><correct-text>egional <correct-text><correct-text-bold>O<correct-text-bold><correct-text>ffices<correct-text>, <correct-text-bold>S<correct-text-bold><correct-text>ubregional <correct-text><correct-text-bold>O<correct-text-bold><correct-text>ffices<correct-text>. Avoid the use of <incorrect-text>national office<incorrect-text>.

Hyphens are used in <correct-text>Director-General<correct-text>, <correct-text>Assistant Director-General<correct-text> and <correct-text>Secretary-General<correct-text>.

Correct names for FAO strategies and concepts should follow the FAO Term Portal. For <correct-text>the four betters<correct-text>, always use lower case: <correct-text>better production,<correct-text> <correct-text>better nutrition,<correct-text> <correct-text>a better environment<correct-text> <correct-text>and a better life<correct-text>. <correct-text>Programme Priority Areas (PPAs)<correct-text> should have initial capitalization. The names of the PPAs themselves use sentence case (e.g. <correct-text>Green innovation<correct-text>), except for those that are names of approaches or programmes (e.g. <correct-text>One Health<correct-text>).

FAO has 197 Members, comprising 194 Member Nations, one Member Organization (the European Union) and two Associate Members (the Faroe Islands and Tokelau). According to the FAO Basic texts, it is appropriate to refer to <correct-text>Members<correct-text> or <correct-text>Member Nations<correct-text>. The term Member States is used to refer to the individual states of the Member Organization.¹ <correct-text>Members<correct-text>, <correct-text>Member Nations<correct-text>, <correct-text>Member Organization<correct-text>, <correct-text>Member States<correct-text> and <correct-text>Associate Members<correct-text> should be capitalized when referring to FAO. <correct-text>The Holy See<correct-text>, not <incorrect-text>the Vatican<incorrect-text>, has Permanent Observer status at FAO.

6.2 SDG-related terminology

For the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the following rules apply:

• Be consistent with the use of the short or long form of the SDG name within a document. Refer to the Sustainable Development Goals Helpdesk.
• When using the short form, check initial caps in the FAO Term Portal, e.g. <correct-text>Zero Hunger, Life below Water<correct-text>.
• Use <correct-text>2030 Agenda<correct-text>, not <incorrect-text>Agenda 2030<incorrect-text> or any other version.
• Use a non-breaking space between <correct-text>SDG<correct-text> and the number, i.e. <correct-text>SDG 1<correct-text>.
• For targets and indicators, use lower case if mentioned generally. When used with a specific number, capitalize and use the following form: <correct-text>Target 1.1<correct-text>, <correct-text>Indicator 17.b.1<correct-text>.
• If space is a concern, the abbreviation <correct-text>SDGs<correct-text> may be used in headings on inside pages (including in running heads), but not on the front cover.

6.3 Names

6.3.1 Country names and regions

All FAO content must follow the Names of Countries and Territories (NOCS) database. The designations used in NOCS may differ from popular use. They normally follow United Nations practice, although in two specific cases FAO has adopted a different solution:

• <correct-text>the European Union<correct-text> is treated as a country (because it is an FAO Member) and therefore may not be abbreviated to <incorrect-text>the EU<incorrect-text> (some exceptions apply); and 
• <correct-text>Palestine<correct-text> is used, rather than <incorrect-text>the State of Palestine<incorrect-text>.

The M49 country and area codes are standard use for FAO. In some cases, M49 codes have been adapted to FAO specifics.

Pay attention to sensitive political issues. Include additional statements when required and FAO’s standard disclaimers. Maps must be checked carefully. Consult the map guidance folder for source files, guidance and special disclaimers.

For more information, refer to Administrative Circular 2021/13 and the Annex thereto.

6.3.1.1 General guidelines

Keep in mind the following:

• Use <correct-text>the Near East<correct-text> rather than <incorrect-text>the Middle East<incorrect-text> unless the latter is specifically required.
• For former administrative areas, use <correct-text>former<correct-text> rather than <incorrect-text>ex-<incorrect-text> or other forms, e.g. <correct-text>the former Soviet Union<correct-text>.
• Countries such as <correct-text>the Bahamas<correct-text> and <correct-text>the United States of America<correct-text> are treated as singular nouns, e.g. <correct-text>Maldives is the smallest country in Asia<correct-text>.
• When listing countries, the default order is alphabetical. Depending on the context, territories and states may come at the end of a list.
• Geopolitical names that include common nouns – such as <correct-text>Islands<correct-text> (but not <incorrect-text>Island<incorrect-text>), <correct-text>Gulf<correct-text>, <correct-text>Territory<correct-text>, <correct-text>Kingdom<correct-text>, <correct-text>Isle<correct-text> and <correct-text>Republic<correct-text> – should be preceded by the definite article in a sentence, e.g. <correct-text>the Persian Gulf<correct-text>.
• Region names should be preceded by the definite article in a sentence, e.g. <correct-text>the Near East<correct-text>.

Some exceptions:

• <correct-text>The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland<correct-text> and <correct-text>the United States of America<correct-text> may be shortened to <correct-text>(the) United Kingdom<correct-text> and <correct-text>(the) United States<correct-text>, respectively, in text, figures (except maps), tables and boxes after appearing written out once in full in the main text of the document. This exception does not extend to people's titles or signatures; covers; or title pages.
• The use of <correct-text>UK<correct-text> and <correct-text>USA<correct-text> in lieu of the NOCS Short Name is permitted in citations only. 
• <correct-text>US<correct-text>, <correct-text>UK<correct-text> and <correct-text>EU<correct-text> may be used as adjectives, such as <correct-text-bold>US<correct-text-bold><correct-text> exports<correct-text>. 
• <correct-text>EU-27<correct-text> and <correct-text>EU-25<correct-text> are acceptable if their meaning is clarified, and <correct-text>EU-27 and the United Kingdom<correct-text> may be used after <correct-text>the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland<correct-text> has been written out once.

6.3.1.2 Using NOCS entries

The Full Name is reserved for formal documents, e.g. official agreements and formal invitations.

The Short Name is used in most text and in titles or headings. Typically, the Short Name is already formatted the way it should be written, e.g. <correct-text>China<correct-text>, <correct-text>Hong Kong SAR<correct-text>. However, when the name has <correct-text>(the)<correct-text> at the end, move it to the front and remove the parentheses, e.g. <incorrect-text>Niger (the)<incorrect-text> becomes <correct-text>the Niger<correct-text>.

The article is omitted in the following cases:

• when the country name is the first, or only, word(s) of a title or heading, e.g. <correct-text-italic>United States of America GLOBEFISH Market Profile<correct-text-italic>;
• directly after a colon, comma or en-dash in a title or heading, e.g. <correct-text-italic>National gender profile of agriculture – United Republic of Tanzania<correct-text-italic>;
• when specifying a location (after a comma) where a meeting or other event took place, e.g. <correct-text-italic>Report on Port State Measures – Wageningen, Kingdom of the Netherlands<correct-text-italic>; and
• when identifying a place of publication in a bibliographic reference.

The Short Name for Lists and Tables determines the alphabetical order of country names and is used for several specific purposes:

• figures (including maps) and tables;
• vertical and in-text lists that follow a colon or are contained within parentheses, e.g. <correct-text>Data was supplied by the following countries: Bahamas, Bolivia (Plurinational State of) and Chile<correct-text>;
• nameplates; and
• contact information and addresses.

When the Adjective/Nationality field is blank, use <correct-text>of<correct-text> with the Short Name, e.g. <correct-text>legislation<correct-text> <correct-text-bold>of<correct-text-bold> <correct-text>the Andaman and Nicobar Islands<correct-text>.

6.3.1.3 Exceptions to the NOCS rules

Note the following exceptions to the rules mentioned in 6.3.1.2 Using NOCS entries:

• After <correct-text>the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland<correct-text> and <correct-text>the United States of America<correct-text> have been written out once in the main text, they may subsequently be shortened to <correct-text>the United Kingdom<correct-text> and <correct-text>the United States<correct-text>, respectively, and to <correct-text>United Kingdom<correct-text> and <correct-text>United States<correct-text> in figures (except maps) and tables only. This exception does not extend to personal titles, signatures, covers or title pages.
• The use of <correct-text>UK<correct-text> and <correct-text>USA<correct-text> in lieu of the Short Name is permitted in citations only.
• <correct-text>US<correct-text>, <correct-text>UK<correct-text> and <correct-text>EU<correct-text> may be used as adjectives, such as <correct-text-bold>US<correct-text-bold><correct-text> exports<correct-text>.
• <correct-text>EU-27<correct-text> and <correct-text>EU-25<correct-text> are acceptable if their meaning is explained.

6.3.2 Titles and proper names

Follow individuals’ expressed preference on how to mention their names. In some languages, the surname is the first element; in these cases the order should not be inverted. Note that Spanish and Portuguese names often include two or more surnames.

When referring to an individual, generally use the person’s surname only (or given name and surname if there is a justification for both).^a For <correct-text>Director-General Qu Dongyu<correct-text>, the given name and surname should always be used together. Note that in official documentation (but not in publications), the whole surname should be capitalized: <correct-text>QU<correct-text>.

Only use honorifics or titles, such as <correct-text>Dr<correct-text> and <correct-text>Professor<correct-text>, if strictly relevant to the context. Do not use <incorrect-text>Mr<incorrect-text>, <incorrect-text>Mrs<incorrect-text> or <incorrect-text>Ms<incorrect-text>. Some guidelines for the alphabetization of names (for reference sections and indexes):

• Chinese and Vietnamese names: alphabetize according to the first (family) name, e.g. <correct-text-bold>K<correct-text-bold><correct-text>im Thanh, C.<correct-text>
• Arabic names: the particles <correct-text>Al<correct-text> and <correct-text>El<correct-text> are not used when alphabetizing reference lists and indexes, e.g. <correct-text>Al-Hamadan <correct-text>is listed under <correct-text-bold>H<correct-text-bold> and not under <incorrect-text>A<incorrect-text>, so it would be <correct-text-bold>H<correct-text-bold>amadan, S.A. Al.
• Burmese names: move the honorific (<correct-text>U<correct-text>, <correct-text>Daw<correct-text>, <correct-text>Saw<correct-text>) to the end before alphabetizing, e.g. <correct-text>Aung Sang Suu Kyi, <correct-text><correct-text-bold>Daw<correct-text-bold>.
• Spanish names: where there are two surnames, alphabetize according to the first surname,
  e.g. <correct-text>Alejandra Martinez Espinosa <correct-text>is listed under <correct-text-bold>M<correct-text-bold><correct-text>artinez Espinosa, A.<correct-text>
• Portuguese names: where there are two or more surnames, the entry is alphabetized according to the last surname. Words like <correct-text>Filho<correct-text>, <correct-text>Junior<correct-text>, <correct-text>Neto<correct-text> and <correct-text>Sobrinho<correct-text> are treated as part of the last surname: <correct-text>Paulino Ricardo do Rosario Gomes Filho <correct-text>is written as <correct-text-bold>G<correct-text-bold><correct-text>omes Filho, P. R. do Rosario<correct-text>.
• Particles: <correct-text>van<correct-text>, <correct-text>von<correct-text>, <correct-text>de<correct-text>, etc. are used for the alphabetical ordering of the list, e.g. <correct-text-bold>d<correct-text-bold><correct-text>e María <correct-text>is listed under <correct-text-bold>D<correct-text-bold> and not under <incorrect-text>M<incorrect-text>. In Dutch, particles are upper case when they start the name, e.g. <correct-text>Van Otterdijk, R.<correct-text>

6.3.3 Scientific names

Use italics (see also 9.1 Italics) to indicate genera, species and subspecies (e.g. <correct-text-bold-italic>Oryza sativa<correct-text-bold-italic>, <correct-text-bold-italic>Cucurbita<correct-text-bold-italic><correct-text> spp.<correct-text>), but not for higher levels of taxonomic classification (e.g. <correct-text>Brassicaceae<correct-text>). Note that modifiers to species’ names (e.g. <correct-text>var.<correct-text>, <correct-text>spp.<correct-text>) and species authorities (e.g. <correct-text-italic>Rubus <correct-text-italic><correct-text-bold>L.<correct-text-bold>) are not italicized.

As guidance, the IPPC style guide suggests: “Upon first mention of a species, the common name is given first, followed by the scientific name, authority, order and family (e.g. 'Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae)').... For subsequent mentions, the common name is used.”² Be consistent throughout the document.

Where scientific names appear as part of italicized titles, they must be presented in roman.

6.4 Foreign languages

Foreign words and phrases that have been adopted by the English language should not be italicized, e.g. <correct-text>ad hoc<correct-text>,<correct-text> de facto <correct-text>and <correct-text>per capita<correct-text> (see also 9.1 Italics).

Avoid writing a quote or word directly in a foreign language. If it is necessary, provide a translation in parentheses.

Use official translations of titles of publications, major events, organizations and so on. Where no official translation exists, a translation may be made.

When reproducing foreign words, include the diacritical marks that are placed above or beneath certain letters and that change their sound.

Foreign proper nouns, people’s names, company names and names of currencies are not italicized. When a foreign organization name is abbreviated and no official translation exists, include a translation after the first mention only in square brackets, if it is necessary for the reader's understanding.

If no official translation of a name exists, transliterate non-Latin scripts into Latin characters. Transliteration tables may be consulted at the Library of Congress website.