WUNRN
World Food Programme Executive Director Assumes New Role At World Economic
Forum
WFP Executive Director
Josette Sheeran speaking at an event on hunger and nutrition at
the 2011 World Economic Forum in Davos. (Copyright: WFP/Rein Skullerud)
ROME – 03 January 2012 - Josette Sheeran, Executive Director
of the UN World Food Programme (WFP), will assume a role as Vice Chairman of
the World Economic Forum, the world’s leading platform for engaging corporate
and government leaders in solutions to the world’s most pressing
challenges.
Sheeran, who will assume
her new position in April at the conclusion of her current term as Executive
Director, has led the World Food Programme since 2007, helping victims of
conflict and natural disasters in over 70 countries. During her tenure,
she oversaw the agency’s transformation from food aid to food assistance, where
WFP buys 80 percent of its food in the developing world and uses new tools
including mobile phones and vouchers to deliver assistance.
"There
are no words to describe the respect, admiration and love I have for WFP, its
people and mission," said Sheeran. "It has been a deep honour to
serve the world in this role and to help not only save lives but to transform
the face of food aid, to empower lasting hunger solutions."
Sheeran
has served on the Foundation Board of the World Economic Forum and has also chaired the Forum’s
Global Agenda Council on Food Security and is a member of the Forum’s Global
Issues Group, composed of the heads of major multilateral organizations.
Multi-stakeholder
dialogue
“Josette
Sheeran has shown in her career, especially as Executive Director of the WFP, a
true commitment to address major global issues in a visionary and pragmatic
way. She has won the trust of global decision-makers across the spectrum of
politics, business and civil society,” said Professor Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World
Economic Forum. “Her appointment underlines the commitment of the World
Economic Forum to furthering multi-stakeholder dialogue.”
“This
leadership role at the Forum will allow me to help forge new entrepreneurial
approaches to the great global challenges of our time and to work with leaders
in business, governments and civil society in seeking sustainable
solutions," said Sheeran. "Klaus Schwab has built a vital platform to
bring together the world to address the world’s most complex and interconnected
global social challenges - from the financial and food crises to opportunities
for sustainable growth.
Lives
and livelihoods
Under her
leadership, WFP has increased its donor base to more than 100 nations –
including the BRIC nations as major donors and the
Josette
Sheeran has held major public leadership positions for more than a decade. In
addition to her work on food security and humanitarian leadership, she is
consulted broadly by global leaders for her expertise in international economic
and trade issues, governance reforms, international business best practices and
change management. Her work has been recognized internationally,
including receiving
In
addition to her WFP leadership, Sheeran is the Chair of the UN High-Level
Committee on Management. Under her tenure, she helped lead major reform
efforts, such as the introduction of International Public Accounting
Standards, the overhaul of the UN security system and a major initiative
to share best practices on efficiency and effectiveness. She is also a member
of the UN Development Group and the UN High-Level Task Force on the Global Food
Crisis.