David Beasley of United States appointed as head of UN emergency food agency

The United Nations today announced the appointment of David Beasley of the United States as the Executive Director of the UN World Food Programme (WFP), which delivers emergency food assistance around the world and works with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres and José Graziano da Silva, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), announced the appointment today after consulting with the WFP Board at a special session in Rome.

In a statement, Secretary-General Guterres said that Mr. Beasley “brings to the position extensive experience with key governmental and business leaders and stakeholders around the world, with very strong resource mobilisation skills.”

Mr. Beasley, who is the Chair of the Center for Global Strategies, was Governor of the state of South Carolina from 1995 to 1999.

He will replace Ertharin Cousin, also a US national, whose five-year term expires on 4 April.

Ms. Cousin said she was “impressed” with Mr. Beasley's understanding of the organization and the strategic plan that guides WFP's work, as well as his commitment to the UN agency's work and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Ms. Cousin led WFP from April 2012 through “a period of unprecedented number of major emergencies,” according to the UN agency.