Maria Helena Semedo is the Food and Agriculture Organization’s deputy director-general and is an economist and politician from Cape Verde. A leading expert in global development issues, she has worked in public service for over 30 years. Semedo gained valuable experience and insight in Africa, first as FAO representative in Niger, then as deputy regional representative for Africa and subregional coordinator for West Africa.
To address the interlinked climate and food crises, leaders during the second week of COP 27 must deliver for smallholder farmers by focusing on three critical areas.
