Cindy McCain, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations food agencies in Rome, has been chosen to lead the World Food Programme over the next five years, replacing David Beasley when he steps down in April, according to three well-placed diplomatic sources.
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres is expected to inform the food agency’s 36-member state executive board when it convenes in Rome on Monday for its first annual meeting. He is not likely to publicly announce the decision before later next week.
The appointment, which begins April 5, places Washington D.C. royalty at the head of a U.N. agency that depends heavily on United States financial support to carry out its global mission.
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About the authors
Colum Lynch
Colum Lynch is an award-winning reporter and Senior Global Reporter for Devex. He covers the intersection of development, diplomacy, and humanitarian relief at the United Nations and beyond. Prior to Devex, Colum reported on foreign policy and national security for Foreign Policy Magazine and the Washington Post. Colum was awarded the 2011 National Magazine Award for digital reporting for his blog Turtle Bay. He has also won an award for groundbreaking reporting on the U.N.’s failure to protect civilians in Darfur.
Teresa Welshtmawelsh
Teresa Welsh is a Senior Reporter at Devex. She has reported from more than 10 countries and is currently based in Washington, D.C. Her coverage focuses on Latin America; U.S. foreign assistance policy; fragile states; food systems and nutrition; and refugees and migration. Prior to joining Devex, Teresa worked at McClatchy's Washington Bureau and covered foreign affairs for U.S. News and World Report. She was a reporter in Colombia, where she previously lived teaching English. Teresa earned bachelor of arts degrees in journalism and Latin American studies from the University of Wisconsin.
