Luke J. Lindberg assumed office on Monday, 26 October, as Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the agency said in a statement from Rome, with a call for action to donors, partners and supporters across the world to help sustain its life-saving work.

Source: World Food Programme

"Conflict is driving people into hunger, and extreme weather and maritime chokepoints exacerbate this reality," Lindberg said. "Yet, in the middle of the chaos, humanitarians in vests marked 'WFP' find a way. We cannot do it alone. Governments, institutions, businesses, and individuals need to stand with us, fund the work, and help get food to people before it's too late. No more famines."

Source: World Food Programme

UN News, in its World News in Brief on Monday, likewise reported the change at the top of the UN's food programme, noting that Lindberg succeeds Cindy McCain, who led WFP from April 2023 to May 2026, and Carl Skau, who has served as Acting Executive Director since June. The Red River Farm Network also reported that Lindberg took up the role effective Monday.

Source: UN News; Red River Farm Network

Before joining WFP, Lindberg served as Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at the United States Department of Agriculture, WFP said. He previously founded South Dakota Trade, a public-private partnership dedicated to expanding international markets for the state's exporters, and served as its President and Chief Executive Officer. He also served as Chief of Staff and Chief Strategy Officer at the Export-Import Bank of the United States.

Source: World Food Programme