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Rabat – Morocco, represented by its permanent ambassador to the United Nations agencies in Rome, Youssef Balla, has been unanimously elected to lead the World Food Programme (WFP) for the year 2024.
The election took place during the first regular session of 2024 for the WFP Executive Council held from February 26th to 28th at the WFP headquarters in Rome.
According to Moroccan state media MAP, this appointment highlights Morocco’s strong commitment to global humanitarian efforts and solidifies the country’s role as a significant influencer in shaping international humanitarian policies.
This marks the first time in history Morocco has chaired the WFP Executive Board, which consists of 36 members.
This election reflects the confidence that African countries and the whole international community has in Morocco’s leadership regarding regional and global food security and hunger eradication efforts.
Additionally, this comes at a particular juncture marked by an uptick in humanitarian crises, ongoing structural reforms within the agency, and a surge in WFP funding that enables the organization to better address global humanitarian needs.
The WFP aims to eliminate hunger worldwide through providing emergency food assistance to save lives in humanitarian crises as well as implementing long-term development programs for countries affected by the impacts of climate change.
Morocco, a member of the WFP Executive Board since December 2020, previously served as vice president and currently coordinates African countries within the Board’s Office.
Read Also: Morocco Re-Elected to Coordinate WFP’s African Group
