BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Nov 6, CMC – Guyanese born, Muhammad Ibrahim, has been elected the new Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), promising to work across the board for the Latin America and Caribbean region.
Ibrahim’s term of office will be from 2026 to 2030 and his appointment was confirmed during the 23rd regular meeting of the Inter-American Board of Agriculture (IABA), the organization’s top governing body.
A statement from IICA said that the decision to appoint Ibrahim was made through a majority vote by the agriculture ministers from across the Americas.
The statement said that in the race for the leadership position, Ibrahim faced competition from Fernando Mattos of Uruguay and that following the announcement, Mattos extended his congratulations to Ibrahim, acknowledging his achievement.
“We will work together with all countries of the Americas to forge a path of cooperation. I am honored and grateful to have been elected to lead this great institution. I recognize the commendable work carried out by Director General Manuel Otero,” said Ibrahim.
An agricultural engineer by training, Ibrahim brings over three decades of experience in international agricultural management. His career has been dedicated to fostering networks that enhance productivity and resilience in the region’s agricultural sector.
He was proposed for the role of IICA’s Director General by the Guyana government with the IICA statement saying it reflected “his reputation as a seasoned leader in the field”.
Ibrahim said he is committed to focusing on research and innovative technologies to boost agriculture across the Americas.
He has pledged to prioritize efforts that support sustainable growth and strengthen food security. His leadership will officially begin on January 15, during a ceremony at IICA’s headquarters in San José, Costa Rica.
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