WFP's Executive Director is responsible for the administration of WFP as well as the implementation of its programmes, projects and other activities.
Josette Sheeran became the eleventh Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme in April 2007.
Before joining WFP, Ms. Sheeran served as Under Secretary for Economic, Energy and Agricultural Affairs at the United States Department of State. There she was responsible for economic issues including development, trade, agriculture, finance, energy, telecommunications and transportation, with much of her focus on economic diplomacy to help developing nations advance towards economic self-sufficiency and prosperity.
Josette Sheeran's full biography
ROME -- The following joint statement was issued today after a meeting of senior managers of the Rome-based UN agencies:
"We, the Senior Management of FAO, IFAD and WFP, the Rome-based United Nations agencies, met today ahead of the World Summit on Food Security (16-18 November 2009), to determine how to maximize each agency's expertise and comparative advantage so their combined efforts better serve the world's 1.02 billion hungry people.
Japan’s generosity underlines their commitment to addressing global hunger solutions, and I commend Prime Minister Hatoyama for his support for initiatives aimed at addressing the impact of the economic crisis and climate change and for programmes that support development, and address poverty as we strive towards meeting the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.
Against the backdrop of the global economic downturn, Japan stepped up to grant a generous aid package of US$124 million to WFP in February 2009 to provide food assistance in Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
"Humanitarian workers around the world are committed to helping people - regardless of their religion, culture, or political beliefs - to build better lives for generations to come. We must continue to carry out our humanitarian work and mandate." Read more
WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran 28 October 2009
