New FAO Chief Vows Renewed Focus on Food Security

José Graziano da Silva, the eighth director-general of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), recently assumed office and vowed to push for a renewed focus on food security. "Hunger eradication should not be separated from responses to other global challenges, such as reviving national economies, protecting natural resources from degradation, and mitigating and adapting to climate change," he said.

The FAO Director-General will aim for the eradication of hunger; sustainable food production and consumption; greater fairness in global food management; conclusion of FAO's organizational reform to improve efficiency, transparency and accountability; and expansion of partnerships and South-South cooperation.

"I am convinced that the Organization can make a significant and growing contribution to food security and sustainable food production and consumption in the world," da Silva said at an inaugural press conference.

Brazilian and Italian by nationality, da Silva holds a Bachelor's Degree in Agronomy and a Master's Degree in Rural Economics and Sociology from the University of São Paulo as well as a Ph.D. in Economic Sciences from the State University of Campinas.

Check out http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/119343/icode/ and http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/117486/icode/ for the full stories.