The 2025 First regular session of the WFP Executive Board: a new approach

Amid a shifting global landscape marked by evolving political dynamics, resource constraints and an increasingly complex operating environment affecting multilateral organizations, the Executive Board conducted part one of its first regular session on 21 January and will convene it's First regular session of the Executive Board – Part II | WFP Executive Board from 18 to 19 February. This session is the first to reflect recent decisions from the Board’s governance review, as members discuss key agenda items that will help shape WFP’s strategic and operational priorities ahead.

Following the approval of the Executive Board Governance Review Working Group’s first interim report and second interim report in 2024, several recommendations have now been implemented, bringing notable changes to Board processes. These include:

• Splitting the first regular session into two parts
  The Board approved holding the first regular session in two parts: a brief session in January solely dedicated to the election of the Bureau, which took place on 21 January, followed by the main session in February to address the regular business of the Board. The purpose of the split first regular session is to anticipate the election of the Bureau as early as possible in the new year, so that the new Board Bureau may commence the strategic planning of the work of the Board and the preparation and organization of Board meetings early in the year. 
• Introducing an annual strategic dialogue
  The first-ever “strategic dialogue” of the WFP Executive Board will be held on Monday, 17 February, one day before part two of the first regular session. The objective of the strategic dialogue is to create an informal space for Board members, observers, and WFP senior management to discuss key emerging global trends and strategic issues affecting WFP’s work. The dialogue will focus on two strategic items identified by the Executive Board Bureau and WFP management: “WFP comparative advantages” and “The role of multilateral diplomacy in overcoming barriers to humanitarian access and enabling WFP’s life-saving work”. 
• Presentation of operational matters
  Part two of the first regular session will feature an expanded “oral global overview of humanitarian needs and operational concerns and priorities,” which will – for the first time – incorporate regional matters into the global overview. This change aims to provide a more streamlined and integrated, global perspective on WFP’s operations at formal sessions. 

Several key governance and policy issues are tabled for discussion:

• Policy cycle framework: The Board will review the policy cycle framework, which outlines the processes for developing, implementing, evaluating and updating WFP policies. This framework aims to enhance the effectiveness and coherence of WFP's policy development and implementation processes and reflects the Board-approved recommendations of the governance review from EB.2/2024. It defines WFP’s normative instruments, clarifies how WFP identifies policy gaps and priorities within its mandate, and outlines the process for developing and implementing policies, in conjunction with the Board and key internal and external stakeholders. 
• Summary report on the evaluation of WFP’s environmental policy: this report assesses the effectiveness and implementation of WFP’s 2017 environmental policy, identifying achievements, challenges, and areas for improvement. Amid shifting international priorities, financial constraints, and evolving political landscapes, the evaluation highlights progress in integrating environmental considerations into WFP’s operations while emphasizing the need for stronger governance, clearer accountability, and enhanced capacity-building. 
• Gender policy implementation: the Board will receive an oral update on the progress of the gender policy, focusing on how WFP optimizes its presence, role and capabilities, in partnership, to advance gender equality and empower women. 
• Disability inclusion: an oral update on disability inclusion will be presented, highlighting WFP's efforts to ensure that its programmes and operations are accessible and inclusive to persons with disabilities, thereby promoting equal opportunities. 
• Final report of the Executive Board working group on the governance review: this report presents a final set of recommendations from the working group’s governance review which include chairing of informal meetings that would lead to a Board decision by Bureau members and the reflection of the roles and responsibilities of the Boards in the terms of reference of WFP’s Ethics and Ombuds offices. This report marks the conclusion of the working group’s governance review since it was initiated by the Bureau in mid-2022. 

Strengthening immediate and long-term support  in an emergency context: The case of Haiti

Tuesday, 18 February 13:30-14:30

Haiti is facing a severe humanitarian crisis due to long-standing complex factors and recent intensifications. Violence by non-state armed groups has worsened insecurity and disrupted essential goods and aid distribution, with civilians caught in the crossfire. As of January 2025, Haiti displacement has tripled compared to December 2023, surpassing one million internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Co-hosted by the WFP Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean and the Permanent Representations of Brazil, Canada, and Haiti, this side event will provide a platform for the Government of Haiti to share its perspectives on the ongoing humanitarian crisis, with a particular focus on the rising number of IDPs.

The event will feature H.E. Mr. Augustin Antoine, Minister of National Education and Vocational Training/Minister of Culture and Communication, Haiti, who will outline national priorities and response efforts. The panel discussion will explore how to scale up support and strengthen resilience, leveraging successful interventions despite the challenging emergency context.

Scaling Impact for a Food Secure World: Initiatives of WFP in India and Reflections from Partner Countries

Launched on Wednesday 19 February from 8:45-9:30 and running throughout the session, this exhibit will showcase innovative food security and nutrition solutions developed by the Government of India in collaboration with WFP, demonstrating their impact on a global scale. The exhibit will highlight how these initiatives are being shared through South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC), with testimonials from governments in partner countries where these innovations have been adopted or are under consideration.

Follow the livestream of the Executive Board session and side events on the Executive Board website.