FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva has been selected as one of the world's most influential Latin Americans for his work against hunger and malnutrition in the world. In its "Global Latin Americans" 2016 ranking, América Economía magazine also highlights the work of Graziano da Silva in promoting South-South Cooperation, an approach based on the exchange of development solutions among the countries of the Southern Hemisphere to contribute to food security and sustainable development. "These recognitions are acknowledgments of the ideas and causes to which these leaders dedicate their lives. In this case, it is a recognition of rural development and the fight against hunger in Latin America and around the world," said Graziano da Silva.

Support for the political effort to eradicate hunger in Latin America and the Caribbean

In his recent address to the 5th Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), FAO’s Director-General reiterated the Organization's support to the countries of the region in their commitment to eradicate hunger and malnutrition.

"Latin America and the Caribbean could be the first developing region to eradicate hunger completely if all of its governments reinforce the implementation of the CELAC Plan for Food and Nutrition Security and the Eradication of Hunger," he said.

The plan, developed with the support of FAO, represents the "crystallization of the political will of governments to eradicate hunger in the next decade," said Graziano da Silva. Approved by CELAC in 2015, the plan promotes comprehensive public policies to reduce poverty, improve rural conditions, adapt agriculture to climate change, stop food waste and deal with the risk of disasters.

Acknowledging the progress made on hunger reduction, the Director-General warned of the other side of malnutrition: the alarming rise of obesity, which affects 140 million people in the region, and is particularly serious in the case of children, according to the new FAO and PAHO report Panorama of Food and Nutrition Security.

2016 influential Latin Americans

The list also recognizes Roberto Azevêdo, Director General of the World Trade Organization, Rafael Reif, President of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Pope Francis for his leadership on global issues. Pope Francis has welcomed FAO's efforts to strengthen the links between peace and food security and climate change mitigation and sustainable development.