Statement from Ambassador Cindy H. McCain on her Appointment as Executive Director of the World Food Program

I am deeply honored to be appointed as the next Executive Director of the World Food Program. WFP has been a part of my life for decades, from my time as a humanitarian to today as the U.S. Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Food and Agriculture Agencies in Rome.

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Ambassador Cindy McCain delivers the U.S. Opening Statement at the First Regular Session of the World Food Program Executive Board

As we celebrate WFP’s 60th anniversary, we continue to rely on the organization to help people around the globe reach the long-desired goal of zero hunger.  The United States is proud to be the leading donor having provided over 7 billion dollars in 2022.  That said, the needs gap is larger than we have ever …

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U.S. Statement on the impact of the war in Ukraine on global food security under the mandate of FAO

Conflict, climate change, and the lasting impacts of COVID-19 are devastating local and global food systems and the people who rely on them. Especially the most vulnerable. Russia’s unprovoked aggression against Ukraine has significantly worsened these challenges.

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U.S. Statement At IDLO Assembly of Member Parties

Director-General Beagle, the United States fully aligns itself with your report to this Assembly of Parties. As you noted, now is the time rededicate ourselves to the values of the UN Charter. Working together, with actions grounded in multilateralism, rule of law, and human rights, we can indeed build a world that is more peaceful, …

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Ambassador Cindy McCain delivers the U.S. Opening Statement at the Second Annual World Food Program Executive Board

Yet, there are some glimmers of hope.  Mr. Executive Director, the United States has heard your call and the calls of millions of hungry people around the world.  I am proud that we have contributed nearly $6 billion dollars to WFP this U.S. fiscal year.  Given the overwhelming need, other countries have also increased their …

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The United States Opposes Russia’s Election to WFP Executive Board Leadership Post

Ambassador Cindy McCain delivered the following statement by the United States at the World Food Programme Executive Board Rome, February 28, 2022 The United States condemns this nomination and believes that a representative from Russia should not be elected to the position of vice president in the World Food Programme (WFP). Russia’s attack on Ukraine …

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Chargé d’Affaires Jennifer Harhigh delivers the U.S. Opening Statement at the WFP Executive Board Annual Session

Our window to prevent widespread famine is shrinking at an alarming rate, and the United States calls on donors to respond with increased contributions at this critical time. It is absolutely imperative that the humanitarian community come together now to respond to these escalating needs and avoid further loss of life.

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Kerry: We all must be ambitious to tackle climate change

The United States will partner with nations to solve the climate crisis, says Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry. “Failure is really not an option if we expect to pass the Earth on in the shape that it needs to be to future generations,” he said at a Munich Security Conference (MSC) Special Session …

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Biden: U.S. will work with democratic partners

resident Biden says the United States will stand with its European allies and other international partners to confront the world’s most pressing problems. Speaking to the Munich Security Conference February 19, Biden hailed strong partnerships between free nations as the foundation for countering rising global challenges.

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U.S. Statement given by Ambassador Kip Tom at the Opening of the June 2019 WFP Executive Board

The role of the United Nations and its partners is indispensable in reaching the most vulnerable people. We rely on organizations like WFP within the United Nations (UN)family to help mitigate the worst impacts of crises and keep beneficiary needs at the center of all humanitarian interventions.

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The 15th McGovern lecturer: Dr. Christopher Barrett

Dr. Christopher Barrett, Stephen B. and Janice G. Ashley Professor of Applied Economics and Management at Cornell University, delivered the 15th Annual McGovern Lecture at FAO on Science and Solidarity: Innovations to Meet Global Food Security Challenges. April 4th, 2019   “Food security may be the defining global challenge of the century.” This was Dr. …

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Remarks by Chargé d’Affaires Thomas Duffy at the Opening of the WFP Executive Board

Executive Director Beasley, thank you for your tireless efforts in places such as Yemen recently where you were able to raise awareness, highlighting the plight of the vulnerable and WFP’s leading role in accessing conflict zones in some of the most geopolitically and logistically challenging parts of the globe.

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Ways to Stem Fall Armyworm spread in Africa and elsewhere: Entomology Professor Galen P. Dively engages the Food and Agriculture Organization

The emergence and rapid spread of the Fall Armyworm in Africa (FAW) threatens the food and income security of millions of smallholder farmers. That’s why USUN Rome supported University of Maryland Professor Emeritus and Integrated Pest Management Consultant, Dr. Galen P. Dively’s travel to Africa, where he observed the situation and met with farmers, academics, …

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Remarks by Chargé d’Affaires Thomas Duffy at the Opening of the WFP Executive Board

Mr. President, congratulations to you on your new appointment, and thank you to the outgoing Board President. Thank you also to Mark Lowcock for his insightful observations. We encourage WFP to take further action to implement its humanitarian reform commitments related to the Grand Bargain. The United States is especially interested in efforts to advance …

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USUN Rome Celebrates Independence Day 2017

Remarks by Chargé d’Affaires Thomas Duffy   July 7th, 2017 Villa San Sebastiano Thanks to our wonderful singer, Soprano Fabiana Rossi. Thanks also to the US Marine Corps Color Guard: Staff Sergeant Stephen Clark, Sergeant Edward Suess, Sergeant Robert Lynch, Sergeant Marcos Bocanegra, and Sergeant Jeremiah Thomas. Also representing the Department of the Navy are …

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Remarks by Ambassador Nikki Haley at a UN Security Council Meeting on the Risk of Famine in Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan, and Northeast Nigeria

The United States will continue to lead in bringing together resources to help overcome this crisis…The longer we wait to act, the higher the cost. Humanitarian relief organizations, partnered with the UN, continue using every avenue to get aid to those in need. When roads are closed, they charter airplanes to drop food from the …

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Remarks by Nerissa Cook, Dep. Asst. Secretary, Bureau of International Organization Affairs, at the Opening of the World Food Program Executive Board

The Executive Director inherits this challenging role at a time that will require much not just of him but of all of us. Throughout its 50+ years, WFP has been among the best examples of what can be accomplished with sustained, collective action. And yet, food insecurity is perhaps a more pressing, more broadly rooted …

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Remarks by Karla Thieman, Chief of Staff, U.S.D.A., at the FAO Conference on Rural Women

As agriculture professionals, we play a pivotal role in ending hunger and poverty. As this challenge has been confronted by numerous international organizations, faith-based groups and governments, women have emerged as playing a major role in agriculture around the globe. But often, their voices are still not heard and they are still not invited to …

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USUN Rome hosts the 2016-2017 U.S. Youth Observer to the United Nations

Every year the U.S. Department of State, in partnership with the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA), selects a young American to serve as a Youth Observer to the United Nations. The Youth Observer position was created to increase youth interest and participation in international relations. This year’s Youth Observer, Ms. Nicol Perez, spent …

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Remarks by Minister Counselor John Norris on Measurement and Reduction of Food Loss and Waste at FAO

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to participate today. First, I want to commend the G20 for its leadership and the Food and Agriculture Organization and the International Food Policy Research Institute for your willingness to take on this important challenge with today’s launch of the Technical Platform on Food Loss and Waste. As …

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Dr. Rajiv Shah gives the 12th Annual George McGovern Lecture at the UN Food and Agriculture Agency

It is an honour to be able to give the McGovern lecture. I first met Senator George McGovern, Ambassador George McGovern in the mid 2000s and his photo here perhaps expresses what we all know to be his good humor and his commitment to this fight against hunger. I met him through a mutual friend, …

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Opening Remarks by Assistant Secretary of State Bathsheba Crocker at the WFP Executive Board

May 25, 2015 I’m Sheba Crocker, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs, and am honored to be able to participate in this session of the Board, especially at a time when global crises are demanding more and more from WFP. We’re here today because the World Food Program is a valued …

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U.S. Statement at the World Food Program – Executive Board First Regular Session February 18-19, 2013

Thank you, Mr. President. I’d like to begin by congratulating you, along with the newly elected members of the Executive Board Bureau.  The United States looks forward to working closely with all of you to strengthen the World Food Program and collectively advance our efforts against hunger. This morning the United States would like to …

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Ambassador Lane Remarks at November 2012 WFP Executive Board

Thank you, Madame Executive Director, for outlining your vision, the actions you have already taken, and your proposed way forward to make the World Food Program more “fit for purpose.” Madame Executive Director, the United States supports the approach you have outlined and we commend you for your bold vision and initiative to best position …

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