Cindy McCain, widow of the late Senator John McCain (R-AZ), currently the U.S. Ambassador to the Agency, will be nominated for the position of Executive Director.

Although the decision in appointing senior positions is made by the Secretary General of the United Nations, traditionally the U.S. nominates two candidates for consideration and approval.  The other person under consideration is David Lane, a former President of an NGO antipoverty organization and a former U.S. Ambassador to the World Food Program.

Ms. McCain would replace outgoing Director David Beasley, formerly a Republican Governor of South Carolina, whose term will end in April 2023.  The elevation of Ms. McCain to the position of Director is supported by Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC).

Current Director Gov. Beasley is a strong supporter of the World Food Program, noting that food support, especially in the Horn of Africa, is limiting mass migration, famine and destabilization.

The United States has moved Africa to a more central position in foreign considerations in response to the activities of our trade adversary, the People’s Republic of China.  At the recent Africa Summit in Washington, President Biden announced an additional $2.5 billion for food aid and technological support for eligible nations on the Continent.