José Graziano da Silva, the new Director General of FAO

The main priority is the eradication of hunger and malnutrition from the face of the earth.

José Graziano da Silva has taken formally the United Nations Organization for Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). As CEO, Graziano da Silva aim at the eradication of hunger, sustainable production and consumption of food, greater fairness in the management of global food, conclude the organizational reform of the FAO to enhance its effectiveness, transparency and accountability, and expanding partnerships with South-South cooperation.

The new Director-General intends to give renewed impetus to food security, offering to extend the support of FAO to the low income food deficit, especially those who suffer from a protracted crisis. "The eradication of hunger should not be detached from other global challenges, such as recovery of national economies, protection of natural resources from degradation and mitigation and adaptation to climate change", he said.

"I am convinced that the Organization can make a major contribution to increasing food security and sustainable production and consumption of food in the world", concluded José Graziano da Silva, who also appealed to the commitment of all stakeholders.

The new Director General, the eighth head of the Organization, followed the Senegalese Jacques Diouf, who led the FAO between 1994 and 2011. Previously, Graziano da Silva, a native of Brazil, was responsible for the design and implementation in 2003 of the "Zero Hunger", which was very successful in Brazil. Besides a degree in Agronomy and a Ph.D. in Economics, Graziano da Silva holds a Master in Economics and Rural Sociology.

Sources: www.fao.org www.fao.org