Statement From World Food Program USA on Cindy McCain’s Appointment as Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme
World Food Program USA welcomes the announcement today by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Director-General QU Dongyu of the appointment of Cindy McCain of the United States to succeed David Beasley as Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). McCain’s appointment continues America’s legacy of leadership in the fight to end global hunger.
“Cindy McCain will be a tremendous champion for people facing hunger. Her political acumen and tenacious advocacy will be essential in guiding us toward a Zero Hunger future,” said Barron Segar, president and CEO of World Food Program USA. “We look forward to working with her to rally American leaders and donors to join our anti-hunger movement.”
McCain’s leadership comes at a critical turning point as conflict and the climate crisis continue to push millions of people into hunger. This year, the U.N. World Food Programme aims to reach 160 million people with food assistance.
“World Food Program USA welcomes the partnership of Cindy McCain as she steps into this critical leadership role. We’re eager to support her and the entire team at the U.N. World Food Programme as they chart a new course in their mission to save and change lives,” said Tony Fratto, World Food Program USA Board Chair.
Cindy McCain presently serves as the U.S. Permanent Representative to the U.N. Agencies in Rome: the Food and Agriculture Organization, the International Fund for Agricultural Development and the World Food Programme. She is the former Chair of the Board of Trustees of the McCain Institute for International Leadership at Arizona State University. She served on the Board of Directors of Project C.U.R.E., CARE, Operation Smile, the Halo Trust and the advisory boards of Too Small To Fail and Warriors and Quiet Waters. McCain holds an undergraduate degree in Education and a Master’s in Special Education from the University of Southern California. She is the wife of the late U.S. Senator John McCain.
World Food Program USA is proud of America’s legacy of leadership in feeding families around the world. Over the past 50 years, U.S. business leaders, policymakers and the American public have continuously demonstrated a shared understanding that overcoming hunger is not only the right thing to do, it is the smart thing to do. Solving global hunger contributes to a stronger, more prosperous and more stable future.
World Food Program USA joins the U.N. Secretary-General and the Director-General of FAO in expressing our appreciation to David Beasley for his dedicated leadership of the U.N. World Food Programme over the past six years. McCain will succeed David Beasley as Executive Director when his term ends on April 5.
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About the United Nations World Food Programme
The U.N. World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.
About World Food Program USA
World Food Program USA, a 501(c)(3) organization based in Washington, DC, proudly supports the mission of the United Nations World Food Programme by mobilizing American policymakers, businesses and individuals to advance the global movement to end hunger. To learn more about World Food Program USA’s mission, please visit wfpusa.org/mission-history.
Media Contact:
Toula Athas
Director, Communications
tathas@wfpusa.org
202-627-3940
