Rome headquarters hosted the second regular session of the Executive Board over four days from 13-16 November to lay out the foundation for WFP’s work for 2018 and beyond.
Here's a round-up:
- Opening session: Executive Director and special high-level guests address the Board
Executive Board President Yousef Jhail, Permanent Representative of the State of Kuwait, chaired the meeting. The inaugural session featured opening remarks by Executive Director David Beasley and the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Amina J. Mohammed, who provided an update on the UN reform process.
- WFP’s Management Plan (2018-2020) approved
The Management Plan (2018-2020) was approved by the Board. The Management Plan describes WFP’s programme of work and annual budget, and links the planned outcomes and indicators with its achievements.
- Other key policy and governance presentations
The joint meeting of the Executive Boards of UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS, UNICEF, UN-Women and WFP was presented by the Vice-President of the WFP Executive Board, Zoltán Kálmán, Minister Plenipotentiary and Permanent Representative of Hungary to the Rome-based agencies (RBAs).
- Third wave of country strategic plans approved
Seven new country strategic plans (CSPs) were approved by the Board, as well as four interim country strategic plans. With this, the Board approved 13 other country strategic plans earlier this year, bringing the total number of WFP operations, with country strategic plans, to 20.
- Innovation under discussion
The German-funded Innovation Accelerator presented a side event, Scaling-up Innovations for Zero Hunger, to mark the Accelerator’s second anniversary, attended by the H.E. Ambassador Dr Hinrich Thölken, Permanent Representative of the Federal Republic of Germany to the International Organizations in Rome.
- Evaluation matters under discussion
A synthesis report of operation evaluations (2016–2017) was approved, along with the summary evaluation report – South Sudan country portfolio (2011–2016) and management response.
- Nutritious food to achieve zero hunger
Gastronomy as a Tool for Reducing Hunger and Malnutrition was launched by H.E. Fiorella Molinelli Aristondo, Minister of Development and Social Inclusion of Peru, and the Executive Director. The event featured Peruvian chef Palmiro Ocampo, who cooked authentic cuisine using highly nutritious food from Peru. The government’s new strategic focus goes hand-in-hand with the newly approved country strategic plan, which also explores new ways of broadcasting nutrition messages through a TV show in Peru.
- Farewell of Ramiro
A farewell to Ramiro Lopes da Silva, Assistant Executive Director, Operations Services, was a special highlight at the end of the session. A standing ovation was fitting recognition for Ramiro’s contribution to WFP for more than 32 years. The Executive Director and, through video, former Executive Directors of WFP - Ertharin Cousin, Josette Sheeran, James Morris and Catherine Bertini, as well as the current Secretary-General António Guterrez - thanked Ramiro for his outstanding leadership over the last decades.
-- by Karin Schmitt & Michelle Blood
Find related documentation in the Meeting and Documents page.
