Former Fine Gael minister and EU commissioner 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 50 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 summer 2027.
Ireland has a record of positive engagement with FAO and was encouraged by EU partners to consider putting forward a candidate.
The organisation plays a central role in addressing global food insecurity, nutrition challenges, sustainable agriculture, fisheries, forestry and resilient food systems.
The director-general is elected for a four-year term and a person can serve two terms.
Mr Hogan left his EU trade commissioner position in August 2020 due to the so-called Golfgate controversy, when he attended an outing held during a period of Covid-19 restrictions.
