FAO appoints assistant director-general and regional representative for Latin America and the C’bean

The director-general of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), QU Dongyu, has appointed Rene Orellana Halkyer, a Bolivian national, as the new assistant director-general and regional representative for Latin America and the Caribbean, following a global competitive process.

Orellana Halkyer holds a PhD in Law, with a specialisation in Interlegality and Legal Fields, from the University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. He also has a master’s in Law and Economics of Climate Change from the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences (FLACSO) in Argentina, a master’s in Energy and Environmental Policy and Management from FLACSO Mexico, and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from San Simón University in Bolivia.

Before joining FAO, he served as regional manager for Mexico and Central America and as representative in Mexico for the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), a position he held since March 2022.

In 2019, he was ambassador of the Plurinational State of Bolivia to the Eastern Republic of Uruguay and representative to the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) and the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI).

Between 2015 and 2017, he also acted as ambassador on special mission with plenipotentiary representation on environment and development issues to the United Nations and as minister for development planning.

He was minister for environment and water from April 2009 to January 2010, minister for water from April 2008 to January 2009, and vice minister for basic services in 2006.

Orellana Halkyer served as advisor to the executive director for Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay at the World Bank Group.

He chaired the G77+China at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Bolivia’s representation at COP20, was part of the ministerial facilitation team for the Paris Agreement (COP21) and participated in the formulation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Upon assuming his duties, Orellana Halkyer highlighted the potential of Latin America and the Caribbean to lead the transformation towards more sustainable agrifood systems.

“The region offers unique conditions to drive development, innovation, and social well-being. We will work to promote strategic investments aligned with global initiatives such as Hand-in-Hand, to strengthen productivity, boost rural economies, and improve the quality of life of communities,” he stated.

“We will continue working closely with all countries in the region, the private sector, development banks, and our international partners to advance solutions that ensure food security, and a prosperous and sustainable future,” added Orellana Halkyer.

Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainable development, agrifood systems transformation, climate action, international cooperation, and strengthening public governance in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Orellana Halkyer officially assumed his duties on November 1, 2025.

(PR)