Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations

Jacques Diouf (Saint-Louis, Senegal, 1938) earned a degree in Agricultural Engineering from the École Nationale d’Agriculture de Grignon (Paris) and a Doctorate in Social Sciences of the Rural World from the Faculty of Law and Economic Sciences of Paris.

In 1963, he was appointed Director of the European Office and Agricultural Program of the Agricultural Market Office (Paris-Dakar), and in 1965, he became Executive Secretary of the African Groundnut Council. During the 1970s, he held the position of Executive Secretary of the Association for the Development of Rice Cultivation in West Africa and Secretary of State for Scientific and Technical Research in the Government of Senegal.

Between 1983 and 1984, he served as Member of the National Assembly of Senegal and as Confederal Deputy of the Senegambian Confederation (Senegal/Gambia). In 1985, he was appointed Advisor to the President and Regional Director of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) in Ottawa, Canada. From 1985 to 1990, he served as Secretary-General of the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO, Dakar), and in 1991 he was appointed Permanent Representative of Senegal to the United Nations in New York. In 1993, he was elected Director-General of the FAO, a position he continues to hold.

Jacques Diouf has participated in numerous major international conferences, representing his country, the Central Bank of West African States, and in his personal capacity.

Among his publications on agriculture, food, and African development are notable titles such as: “Ethique scientifique et problématique alimentaire”, “The Challenge of Agricultural Development in Africa”, and “Le fondement du dialogue scientifique entre les civilisations euro-occidentales et négro-africaines”.

His work has been recognized by many governments around the world. Among other distinctions, he has been awarded the title of Officer of the Legion of Honor by the French Republic (1978), and the Grand Cross of the Order of Malta Pro Merito Melitensi (2006). He has also received numerous honorary doctorates from universities around the world in recognition of his academic and international contributions.