FAO's Director-General elect José Graziano Da Silva. A Dialogue on Women in Agriculture: Where to after SOFA? Side event sponsored by the Rome Women's Network co-hosted by the United States and Kenya. FAO Conference, 37th Session. FAO headquarters (Austria Room). Co-Hosted by Ambassador of the United States of America to the UN Agencies in Rome Ertharin Cousin Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya to Italy and Permanent Representative to FAO, IFAD, and WFP Josephine Wangari Gaita. Copyright ©FAO. Editorial use only. Photo credit: ©FAO/Alessandra Benedetti

This week, I joined my colleagues from all over the world for the 37th Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome. This bi-annual conference brings together world leaders in food and agriculture to discuss important issues related to agriculture, forestry, and global food security. This year’s conference is of particular significance as delegates elected a new Director-General, Jose Graziano da Silva of Brazil, to replace Jacques Diouf of Senegal, who has served in the position since 1993. The United States thanks Dr. Diouf for his hard work and dedication during his time as the Director General.  We are confident that Dr. Graziano da Silva will continue the ongoing reform effort to ensure that FAO is a strong, vibrant organization capable of tackling the challenges before us. Read more »