UN Accepts Trump Nominee Luke Lindberg to Head World Food Programme

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has accepted the nomination of Luke Lindberg, a senior US agricultural official put forward by President Donald Trump, to become the next Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP).

Lindberg was selected from a field of candidates for the leadership of the Rome-based humanitarian organisation, according to a UN document and a UN official who confirmed the decision. His appointment is expected to be formally confirmed by the WFP Executive Board later this week.

The selection followed a competitive process in which 54 candidates applied and nine were shortlisted. Lindberg was recommended jointly by Guterres and Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), according to a September 11 letter to the WFP board.

Lindberg currently serves as the US Undersecretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, where he has been involved in international agricultural trade and food assistance programmes.

His responsibilities have included oversight of US agricultural assistance initiatives such as the McGovern-Dole Food for Education Programme and Food for Progress. The US State Department has described him as having experience managing large-scale operations and international partnerships.

The appointment comes at a critical time for the WFP, which is facing growing humanitarian needs alongside significant funding pressures. The agency says nearly 300 million people are facing crisis levels of hunger this year, with conflicts and other emergencies worsening food insecurity.

The WFP has also been dealing with a leadership transition after Cindy McCain announced in February that she would step down from the position to focus on her health. Carl Skau has served as acting Executive Director since June while the search for a permanent successor continued.

The United States has traditionally played a major role in the leadership and funding of the WFP and remains its largest donor, although the Trump administration has significantly reduced US foreign-aid spending. Lindberg’s selection therefore comes amid debate over the future direction of international humanitarian assistance and the role of the United States in global food aid.

Lindberg’s appointment would also continue the longstanding tradition of an American leading the WFP. Devex reported that he would become the youngest person to head the UN’s premier food agency if the appointment is completed.

The World Food Programme, which was awarded the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize, provides food and other assistance to people affected by conflict, displacement, disasters and severe food insecurity around the world. In 2025, the organisation served about 121 million people globally.