Anticipation is building at HQ as the organization prepares to welcome delegates for the Second Regular Session of the Executive Board, taking place from 17 to 20 November 2025.
This session comes at a time of extraordinary complexity for WFP and the wider humanitarian system. As reported in the WFP Strategic Plan (2026–2029) tabled for discussion on Day 1, we are living in an era of unprecedented abundance: the world produces enough calories to feed 10 billion people. Yet, an estimated 319 million people remain acutely food insecure, more than twice the number before the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the same time, WFP’s funding in 2025 is down 40 percent from last year, forcing tough choices and significant reductions in assistance and staffing.
Amid these challenges, humanitarian workers continue to operate in increasingly difficult and dangerous environments. The upcoming session is also an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of humanitarian principles and the protection of staff.
Executive Director Cindy McCain will open the session with remarks on WFP’s current and future opportunities. The agenda is packed and purposeful, beginning with the formal adoption of the agenda and the appointment of the Rapporteur, before moving into strategic discussions that will shape the organization’s direction for the coming years.
- WFP strategic plan (2026–2029): the plan marks a key shift in WFP’s approach, moving from five strategic outcomes to three, with a sharper focus on quality over quantity. WFP is prioritizing urgent needs, leveraging its strengths in emergencies and supply chain, and consolidating resilience programming to reach the most vulnerable. Despite facing the highest food insecurity in decades and the lowest funding in years, the plan remains ambitious, aiming to reduce reliance on recurring support by investing in local solutions, innovation, and partnerships. It’s a clear call to action for governments, donors, the private sector, and citizens to turn strategy into action.
- Corporate results framework (2026–2029): the new CRF is WFP’s streamlined guide for turning strategic ambitions into measurable results. With fewer outcomes and indicators, it’s designed to be more focused and easier to use, helping every team see exactly how their work contributes to WFP’s mission.
- WFP Management Plan (2026–2028): the plan guides WFP through a period of tight funding and operational challenges. With a proposed budget of USD 13 billion, which represents 32 percent less than last year, it reflects tough choices and a renewed focus on doing “better with less.” Despite reductions, crisis response remains central, with most resources dedicated to emergencies and protecting the most vulnerable. The plan also invests in WFP’s future, from replenishing the Wellness Fund for staff wellbeing and country office safety nets to new funding initiatives for digital transformation and shared services.
- Accountability and Oversight Framework: WFP’s updated framework sets out how the organization maintains trust, transparency, and high standards. It clarifies the roles and responsibilities of oversight bodies (i.e. internal audit, evaluation, investigation, ethics, and ombuds services) and how they interact to support WFP’s mission.
- Summary Report on the Evaluation of WFP’s Enterprise Risk Management Policy: the report recognizes that WFP has made real progress in embedding risk management into its culture and daily operations, with staff increasingly aware of how to identify and address risks at every level. It encourages WFP to further integrate risk management as a strategic tool for decision-making, highlighting opportunities to strengthen training, clarify roles, and use risk insights proactively.
- Country strategic plans (CSPs) and summary evaluation reports: the agenda will see the Board delve into a series of country strategic plans, evaluation reports and management responses. From Yemen to China and Indonesia, Eswatini and Rwanda to Niger, and on to Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Uganda, Timor Leste, and Türkiye, the Board will discuss lessons learned and chart the way forward for WFP’s work across diverse contexts.
Thursday’s agenda will conclude with a report on the joint field visit, and other administrative matter, before closing remarks from the Executive Director bring the session to a close.
Side event: Advancing the UN80 agenda: WFP’s contribution to deliver as one UN Supply Chain
Tuesday, 18 November, 13:30–14:30, Auditorium
On Tuesday, delegates are invited to a session exploring how the UN system can deliver better and faster by integrating supply chains in complex environments, a timely conversation as the organization seeks to maximize efficiency and impact, as part of the UN@80 Initiative.
Side event: Joining forces to expand humanitarian access in Sudan
Wednesday, 19 November, 13:30–14:30, Auditorium
Co-hosted by Germany, Wednesday’s side event will examine ways to enable the operating environment for humanitarian organizations in Sudan, emphasizing the role of humanitarian diplomacy and collaborative initiatives.
Exhibit: Innovation rooted in humanity
Red Foyer, 10–28 November
An immersive exhibition showcasing WFP’s people-centered innovation, from digital finance to climate resilience, and celebrating the contributions of staff, partners, and communities.
Exhibit: The newest edition of the State of School Feeding Worldwide
Blue Foyer, 12–28 November
Highlighting WFP’s global leadership in school meals, this exhibit presents key findings from the latest flagship report and the impact of school feeding on food security, education, and community resilience.
Follow the proceedings via https://executiveboard.wfp.org/live.
For further details on the agenda and background documentation, please visit https://executiveboard.wfp.org/meeting/1785