Luke Lindberg, USDA’s undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs, is the leading contender to become executive director of the UN World Food Program, the world’s largest humanitarian organization, sources tell Agri-Pulse.
Cindy McCain announced Thursday that she was stepping down from the WFP post over health concerns. The widow of the late Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., suffered a mild stroke in October.
The United States is the largest donor to WFP and traditionally nominates the executive director. The position is formally appointed to a five-year term by the UN secretary-general and the director-general of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. McCain took the job in 2023.
The WFP vacancy comes as the Trump administration is trying to reshape foreign aid, and U.S. and European spending on international assistance has fallen.
USDA also recently took over management of the Food for Peace program, is partnering with the WFP to distribute more than 200,000 tons of international food aid.
One source close to the WFP who confirmed that Lindberg appeared to be in line for the appointment said Lindberg would “do a great job” at WFP.
“He is passionate about global hunger. The budget is a mess, donor countries have cut funding and staff morale is low…it is a critical moment for the WFP…and new leadership is essential to meet the needs of those without a voice,” the source said in a text.
A congressional source described Lindberg as “the leading contender” for the WFP job. A third source said Lindberg had been told the job was his.
Lindberg was confirmed by the Senate to the USDA post, and has been a spokesman for the administration on its efforts to address trade barriers for U.S. agricultural exports. The temporary transfer of the Food for Peace program also is under his oversight.
Neither Lindberg nor spokespersons for the White House and USDA responded to requests for comment on the WFP position.
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