Africa-Press – Angola. Angola announced on Thursday in Luanda, the candidacy of ambassador Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko for the position of director-general of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for the 2027-2031 term.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tete António, during a meeting with the press.
The minister presented the profile of the candidate, the current Angolan ambassador to Italy and permanent representative to the United Nations agencies in Rome, namely FAO, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Program (WFP).
Tete Antonio highlighted Josefa Sacko’s extensive experience in the fields of agriculture, sustainable development and public policy, with a relevant trajectory at the African and international levels.
He cited the candidate’s qualities such as leadership, dialogue skills, and consensus-building abilities, considered crucial in the face of global challenges, especially in the fields of food security and climate change.
Tete Antonio said that the FAO should be led by a figure with strategic vision and the ability to promote effective and inclusive responses, aligned with the needs of member states.
The diplomat stressed that the candidacy reflects the need to strengthen the presence of women in leadership positions in multilateral organizations, given the central role they play in the agriculture and food security sectors, especially in Africa.
He added that the initiative reflects Angola’s commitment to a more active African participation in the leadership of international organizations, in line with efforts to assert the continent in the multilateral system.
The Angolan minister requested support of member states for a common vision aimed at strengthening the FAO and greater proximity to the needs of the populations.
Josefa Sacko currently serves as head of Angola’s diplomatic mission in Rome and has a consolidated career in the agricultural sector, having been the African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment between 2017 and 2025.
She was also Secretary-General of the Inter-African Coffee Organization.
Angola’s candidacy was submitted to the African Union’s Candidacy Committee during the organization’s Executive Council, held in February 2026 in Addis Ababa.
