26 June 2011, Rome ? Election of the new FAO Director-General. The candidates for FAO Director-General. The 37th Conference will elect the Director-General of FAO for the period of 1 January 2012 to 31 July 2015. Voting will take place in a secret ballot by the organization's 191 member nations. Each country has one vote. FAO Conference, 37th Session, FAO headquarters (Plenary Hall).