Skip to Main Content
UN Library logo
Research Guides

UN System Documentation

World Food Programme (WFP)

Cindy McCain shakes Secretary-General António Guterres's hand in front of the UN logo.  March 2023. UN Photo #UN7978797

World Food Programme (WFP)

  • Establishing resolutions:
    • A/RES/1714 (XVI) of 19 Dec. 1961 established WFP on an experimental basis
    • A/RES/2095 (XX) of 20 Dec. 1965 on the Continuation of the World Food Programme
    • A/RES/3404 (XXX) of 28 Nov. 1975 names Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes oversight of WFP
    • A/RES/50/227 of 1 July 1996 discontinues the World Food Council and assigns its functions to the WFP and FAO
  • Governing body
    • 1996-present, World Food Programme Executive Board
      • Pursuant to FAO Conference resolution 9/95 of 31 Oct. 1995 and A/RES/50/8 of 1 Nov. 1995, the Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes (CFA) was reconstituted as the WFP Executive Board with effect from 1 Jan. 1996.
      • Annual report
    • 1976-1995, Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes
    • 1962-1975, UN/FAO Intergovernmental Committee of the World Food Programme
  • Annual Report of the World Food Programme
  • Flagship publications
    • WFP Annual Review highlights programmes and financing
  • Executive Directors
    • 2023- : Cindy H. McCain (United States)
      • Press release SG/A/2188
    • 2017-2023: David Beasley (United States)
      • Press release SG/A/1713-BIO/4944-WFP/1082 [2017]
    • 2012-2017: Ertharin Cousin (United States)
      • Press release SG/A/1317-BIO/4345-WFP/1074 [2012]
    • 2007-2012 : Josette Sheeran (United States)
      • Press release SG/A/1025-BIO/3815-SAG/406 [2006]
    • 2002- 2007: James T. Morris (United States)
      • Press release SG/A/787-WFP/1063 [2002]
    • 1992-2002: Catherine Bertini (United States)
      • Press release SG/A/475-FAO/3538-WFP/791 [1992]
    • 1982-1992: James C. Ingram (Australia)
      • Press release SG/A/362-FAO/3405-WFP/761 [1986]
    • 1982: Juan F. Yriart (a.i.) (Uruguay) 
    • 1981-1982: Bernardo de Azevedo Brito (a.i.) (Brazil)
    • 1977-1981: Garson Nathaniel Vogel (Canada)
    • 1976-1977: Thomas C. M. Robinson (United States)
    • 1968-1976: Francisco Aquino (El Salvador) 
    • 1968: Sushil K. Dev (India)
    • 1962-1967: Addeke Hendrik Boerma (Netherlands)