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On the stage of the Sustainable Development Goals Conference at Wageningen University in the Netherlands, the World Food Prize Foundation announced that Dr. Shenggen Fan, Director General of the International Food Policy Research Institute has joined the World Food Prize Council of Advisors.
"We at the World Food Prize Foundation feel exceptionally fortunate to have an individual of Dr. Shenggen Fan's distinguished stature joining our Council of Advisors. Dr. Norman Borlaug always wished to have the most accomplished individuals in the field of global food security as members of this body which shapes and guides the programs of the World Food Prize and particularly the selection of our Laureates. Dr. Fan most assuredly fits in this category,” said Ambassador Kenneth Quinn, president of the World Food Prize.
On the Council, Dr. Fan will review, advise and guide the World Food Prize leadership on their policies as well as the design and implementation of Foundation programs. Other responsibilities delegated to Dr. Fan include participating in appointing members of the World Food Prize Laureate Selection Committee and endorsing the Selection Committee’s choice of a new Laureate each year.
“It is my profound honor to join such a distinguished group to advise the foundation in selecting prize Laureates who are dedicated and have made significant contributions to ending hunger and malnutrition globally,” Dr. Fan said regarding his appointment.
Dr. Fan was appointed Director General of the International Food Policy Research Institute in 2009. Prior to this appointment, he had worked at IFPRI since 1995, researching development strategies in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Fan currently serves as a member of the Lead Group for the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement, as appointed by UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon. He serves as advisor to many national governments (including China and Vietnam) on agriculture, food security and nutrition. In 2014, Dr. Fan received the Hunger Hero Award from the World Food Programme in recognition of his commitment to and leadership in fighting hunger worldwide.
Dr. Fan received a PhD in applied economics from the University of Minnesota and a bachelor and master’s degree from Nanjing Agricultural University in China.
Press Contact:
Nicole Barreca, Director of Communications and Events
515-245-3735, or by email at nbarreca@worldfoodprize.org