Maria Helena Semedo

Maria Helena Semedo, Deputy Director-General, is an economist and politician from Cape Verde. A leading expert in global development issues, she has helped shape a new global narrative where the sustainable transformation of agrifood systems is prominently recognized as a solution in addressing challenges from climate change and biodiversity loss to ecosystem degradation and overfishing.

Part of the FAO Core Leadership Team, Semedo heads major programmes such as One Health, Green Cities Initiative and Mainstreaming Biodiversity across Agricultural Sectors, fostering multi-stakeholder dialogue that leverage FAO’s technical expertise, experience, global reach and innovative approaches, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Since becoming the first-ever women Minister in her country in 1993, she is a recognized advocate for women’s empowerment. Before taking up her current duties in 2013, Semedo held many high-level positions in Africa. She has received numerous international honours and awards.