Rome:Angola has officially nominated Ambassador Josefa Sacko for the position of Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, during a ceremony held at the FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. The event was led by Angola's Foreign Affairs Minister, Téte António.
According to Angola Press News Agency, Minister António emphasized Sacko's extensive experience in agriculture, rural development, food security, and sustainability as crucial for tackling the FAO's current challenges. He stressed the importance of an FAO that can effectively translate knowledge into actions to create more productive, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems.
Minister António pointed out significant challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, rural poverty, and the need for modernization in agrifood systems. He highlighted Sacko's past role as African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment, which has equipped her with a thorough understanding of Africa's challenges and those of multilateral institutions.
The minister advocated for an FAO that leverages science, innovation, and technology to support small-scale producers, encourage investment, and improve access to finance and markets. He also underscored the importance of international cooperation to meet member states' needs and enhance initiatives promoting global food security.
Minister António clarified that, although endorsed by the African Union, Sacko's candidacy is directed at the international community, with a commitment to dialogue and adherence to FAO's universal principles. He highlighted Africa's agricultural potential, emphasizing the continent's natural resources, arable land, biodiversity, and young population as key assets for transforming agrifood systems.
He proposed a collaborative approach to food security, stressing that no single continent can address these issues alone. He reiterated Angola's respect for the FAO's selection rules and invited representatives to learn about Sacko's proposals, affirming Angola's willingness to work with all member states.
Josefa Sacko's candidacy, endorsed by the African Union, seeks to create an FAO that better responds to its members' needs, enhancing food security and establishing food as a foundation for development, stability, and peace. During the 2027-2031 term, Sacko will compete against other candidates for the FAO leadership, including Maurizio Martina from Italy, Luis Planas from Spain, Phil Hogan from Ireland, and Mehmet Mehdi Eker from Turkey.
