Egypt Becomes First Arab Nation to Chair FAO Council

Egyptian diplomat Mina Rizk has been elected as the Independent Chairperson of the Council of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the first Arab official to assume the post since the agency was founded in 1945.

The election took place during the FAO’s 44th session in Rome, where Egypt also secured a seat on the General Committee of the FAO Conference. The role, held for a renewable one-year term, includes guiding consensus on strategic policies, programme priorities, and budgetary decisions within the Council.

According to the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rizk’s election reflects Egypt’s expanding role in multilateral governance related to agriculture, sustainability, and food systems. It aligns with the country’s broader agenda of increasing influence within global development institutions.

The FAO Council, comprising 49 regional member countries, acts as the organisation’s executive arm. As Independent Chairperson, Rizk will oversee high-level discussions on critical issues such as climate resilience, food insecurity, and sustainable agricultural development.