Santiago, Chile. August 31, 2011

Dear friends,

As you know, on June 26, 2011, I was elected Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, office I will hold starting on January 1, 2012.

©FAO/Alessandra Benedetti

That date marked the end of a long campaign during which I visited over 60 countries in all continents and myself and five other competent candidates had the opportunity to present our ideas and proposals for FAO.

My bid received the support of the Portuguese Speaking countries, of Latin American and Caribbean countries, of African and Asian countries and from the developed world, all of which saw in our proposals a realistic path to eradicate hunger, promote food security and enhance FAO’s role as a determining international actor in the areas of food and agriculture.

My election was a collective effort and I want to thank each and everyone of you for participating in this process.

Since the election, I have had the opportunity to continue the dialogue with many Governments, from developing and developed countries, and other actors involved in the fight against hunger. I trust that we will find the necessary agreements to increase FAO’s efficiency and advance in the path we have set.

The food insecurity that exists today in many different countries is a call for renovated and decided action to fulfil the dream of a world without Unger. A possible goal if all of us – governments, civil society, private sector, International organisms, scientists and academias, – unite our effort to make it happen.

With my warmest regards,

José Graziano da Silva

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