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Lindberg chosen for top role at UN World Food Program

USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg has been selected to lead the United Nations World Food Program.

Lindberg, who was nominated earlier this year by President Trump, recently told Brownfield at the Iowa State Fair that the position is a five-year term.

“The president cares about folks around the world and making sure the US continues to play an important humanitarian role in feeding hungry people,” he said. “The US has long-time had a leadership role at the World Food Program.”

Lindberg said he was honored to be considered for the international humanitarian leadership role.

“The president actually called me on the phone to offer me the opportunity to be the US nominee, which was incredibly special for me.”

The executive director vacancy was created when Cindy McCain left the post earlier this year citing health concerns.

Reports say Lindberg’s appointment was announced Friday by the U.N. secretary-general and the director-general of the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization.

Lindberg’s departure will create a vacancy at USDA. A successor would typically be nominated by the president and require U.S. Senate confirmation.