Türkiye Nominated Mehdi Eker for FAO Leadership
The Turkish government has secured support from approximately 100 nations for the upcoming UN leadership race.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Organic Food
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Türkiye has officially nominated Mehdi Eker to serve as the next director-general of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. The candidate has secured preliminary support pledges from nearly 100 of the 193 total UN member states.
Why it matters
The nomination reflects Türkiye's strategic intent to tackle global food insecurity and combat the weaponization of food supplies. Addressing these issues remains a central priority for the organization as it navigates complex international trade routes.
Approximately 645 million people face hunger worldwide, while 2.3 billion experience food insufficiency and 1.4 billion are classified as obese. These figures highlight the scale of the crisis the next director-general must address.
The players
Mehdi Eker
He is the official candidate nominated by the Turkish government for the position of director-general of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.
Qu Dongyu
He is the current director-general of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization whose second term expires in 2027.
The details
Mehdi Eker is currently campaigning through diplomatic meetings with various member states ahead of the election in Rome. The selection process will determine the successor to Qu Dongyu, whose second term at the organization is set to conclude in 2027.
Timeline
The election of the new director-general is scheduled for next summer.
The incoming leader will serve a term spanning from 2027 to 2031.
Culture Shift
This move reflects the growing prioritization of food security within global governance as countries compete to lead the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. It signals a shift toward addressing food weaponization in an increasingly polarized geopolitical landscape.
The election of a new leader at the FAO may shift how international food policies and resource distribution strategies are implemented globally. These changes can eventually influence food security initiatives and agricultural supply chain regulations in countries around the world.
The takeaway
Global food stability remains a critical challenge as nations seek leadership to manage food production and distribution networks. Strengthening international cooperation is viewed as essential for addressing the millions of people facing hunger and food insufficiency.
Further reading
Learn more about the global food landscape on the Organic Food page.
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Should international organizations prioritize global food security as a fundamental security objective?
