Cindy McCain has been appointed the new head of the United Nations World Food Program and is committed to addressing global humanitarian needs.

The 68-year-old has served as U.S. Ambassador to the UN Agencies in Rome since 2021, and she is the widow of former Sen. John McCain and a longtime friend of U.S. President Joe Biden. McCain was one of two candidates being considered the next leader of the World Food Program.

Cindy McCain as New Head of World Food Program

In a Thursday statement, McCain, who will take up her new position in April, said she was honored to be given a chance to lead the UN World Food Program. She noted that the agency had been a part of her life for several decades, from her time as a humanitarian to now when she is the U.S. Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Food and Agriculture Agencies in Rome.

She revealed that she plans to spend some time in Rome and the field to ensure that the organization can grow continuously and meet the needs of a "hungry world." According to the Washington Post, McCain added that the path she will take moving forward is daunting, especially with hunger on the rise.

The outgoing executive director of the WFP, David Beasley, whom McCain is set to succeed, congratulated his successor in a Wednesday Twitter post. This was before the United Nations made its official announcement. On the other hand, McCain retweeted Beasley's Twitter post.

Beasley said McCain's extraordinary experience and leadership would be critical factors amid conflicts, climate shocks, and hunger soar. He added that he was looking forward to working with her. On Thursday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed his confidence that McCain will bring renewed energy, optimism, and success to the World Food Program.

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Addressing Global Humanitarian Needs

The decision to appoint McCain comes amid a rise in the global food policy realm for the ambassador. According to Politico, her relationships and experiences are seen as crucial in seeking to marshal resources for a record-high 349 million people suffering from acute food insecurity worldwide.

The issue also comes amid the geopolitical chaos brought about by the war between Russia and Ukraine, concerns that China is hoarding global food supplies, and calls to pull back funding support from members of her party in the US Congress.

Last year, McCain was appointed as U.S. Ambassador to three UN food and agriculture agencies, marking her first time in a formal role in food policy despite participating in humanitarian work for several decades.

Beasley also issued a farewell as he stepped down as the head of the World Food Program, where he thanked the family he made at the agency for their courage. South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham also congratulated McCain, saying that she is a great humanitarian and expects her to bring a business-like approach to the World Food Program, said ABC4 News.

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