The Executive Council of the African Union on Wednesday unanimously endorsed Angolan diplomat Josefa Sacko as the continent’s official candidate for Director-General of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) for the 2027–2031 term.
The endorsement, described in an official statement as a ‘historic diplomatic victory’, was reached by consensus during the 49th ordinary session of the AU Executive Council, held on 28 and 29 July in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The Council elevated the candidacy that Angola had originally submitted on behalf of the Southern Africa region into the official nomination of the entire African continent, signalling the bloc’s resolve to project a united front in global multilateral forums.
Angola’s Foreign Minister Téte António expressed gratitude to the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Uganda, both of which withdrew their own candidacies to allow consensus to form around Angola’s nominee.
Minister António said the gesture of political solidarity does honour to the African continent, prevents internal divisions and strengthens Africa’s position as a cohesive and indispensable voice in global governance institutions.
He also emphasised that Ambassador Josefa Sacko does not seek to reinvent the FAO, but rather intends to consolidate the gains the organisation has already achieved.
‘The core of her programme lies in strengthening operational effectiveness and bringing the institution closer to its member states. The fundamental goal of this unified leadership is to place Africa’s accumulated expertise, capacity for innovation and demonstrated resilience at the service of global solutions to the complex challenges of world food security,’ the minister said.
The formal election for the post of FAO Director-General will take place in July 2027 in Rome, Italy.
Source: ANGOP / Original article: https://www.angop.ao/noticias/economia/conselho-da-ua-aprova-candidatura-de-josefa-sacko-ao-cargo-de-directora-geral-da-fao/
