Phil Hogan nominated by Government of Ireland as candidate for Director-General of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization

The Government today confirms that Phil Hogan has been nominated as Ireland’s candidate to be the next Director-General of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

It has been fifty years since the FAO has had a Director-General from a European country. There is significant interest among EU Member States in putting forward a strong European candidate for the forthcoming election, which will take place in the summer of 2027. Ireland has a record of positive engagement with the FAO, and was encouraged by EU partners to consider putting forward a candidate.

The Government agreed in December to an open Expressions of Interest process to identify suitably qualified Irish candidates. This process was initiated in January 2026 by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and was publicly advertised in the national media in January of this year, with clearly defined eligibility criteria and timelines.

A high-level independent selection board of four people, with expertise in agri-food policy, development cooperation, multilateral governance, international organisations and human resources, assessed the applications received. Following a detailed evaluation by the selection board, Mr Hogan’s name as the highest-ranked candidate was provided to Minister Heydon, who submitted a Memo to the Government for consideration today. As a result, Phil Hogan’s name will now go forward as the Irish candidate for the UN position.

Ireland’s multilateral engagement

In recent years, Ireland has significantly strengthened its engagement across the UN system on food security, nutrition, agriculture and humanitarian response. This includes enhanced cooperation through the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with the FAO and the World Food Programme, two key UN organisations in the field of agriculture, food security and emergency food assistance. Ireland consistently supports a rules-based, merit-led approach to leadership positions in international organisations. This nomination reflects Ireland’s continued commitment to strong multilateralism and effective international institutions.

Fair and transparent process

The Expressions of Interest process was open, competitive, and publicly advertised. Published eligibility criteria reflected the requirements of the FAO Director-General role. Submission of an expression of interest did not constitute nomination.

Applications were assessed independently by an expert selection board, including a former Secretary General of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, an Assistant Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs, an agri-food expert, and a human resources expert. The final nomination decision rests with Government, as appropriate for a senior international candidacy.

Costs

Any costs to the Exchequer will be proportionate and managed within existing Departmental and diplomatic resources. It is expected that the selected candidate will cover any additional personal or campaign-related costs. Two Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine staff will assist the campaign in addition to their other duties.

Why Ireland is putting forward a candidate

The FAO plays a central role in addressing global food insecurity, nutrition challenges, sustainable agriculture, fisheries, forestry and resilient food systems. At a time of heightened global humanitarian need, Ireland believes strong and credible leadership in the FAO is vital.

International leadership roles are a core component of Ireland’s multilateral strategy and global standing. The election itself will be decided by FAO Member States through a secret ballot in 2027. The integrity of the FAO election process is safeguarded under FAO rules, with 194 Member States determining the outcome.

ENDS

Notes for Editors

The FAO is a specialised United Nations agency with 194 Member States and a central mandate in global food security and sustainable food systems.

The FAO was established on 16 October 1945 as a response to the severe food shortages experienced globally during the Second World War. The 16 October is celebrated annually as UN World Food Day.

The Director-General is elected for a four-year term, renewable once. The next election will take place in summer 2027.

A successful nomination will require coordinated cross-Government engagement, including support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Ireland’s embassy network.

This nomination reflects commitments in the Programme for Government to:

• Strengthen multilateralism and effective international institutions;
• Address global hunger, food insecurity and sustainable food systems;
• Ensure transparent and merit-based public appointments and nominations.