Ms Maria Helena SEMEDO

Deputy Director-General, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Maria Helena Semedo is an economist and politician from Cape Verde. A leading expert in global development issues, she has helped shape a new global narrative where agriculture is prominently recognized as a solution in addressing increasingly complex issues. She heads major initiatives such as the One Health Approach, FAO Green Cities Action Programme and the corporate strategy for mainstreaming biodiversity across agricultural sectors, fostering multi-stakeholder dialogues that optimize FAO’s 75+ years of technical expertise and experience, its global reach and innovative approaches, all contributing to achieve the SDGs. Since becoming first-ever women Minister in her country in 1993, she is a recognized advocate for women’s empowerment. Before taking up her current duties in 2013, she held many high-level positions in Africa. She has received numerous international honours and awards.