José Graziano da Silva is an agronomist and holds a PhD in Economics. He is Professor Emeritus at the University of Campinas (Unicamp), Brazil. From 2012 to 2019, he served as Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

In 2020, he founded the Instituto Fome Zero (IFZ), where he currently serves as Director.

With more than 35 years of experience in food security, nutrition, and rural development, Graziano da Silva coordinated the design and implementation of Brazil’s landmark Zero Hunger Programme as Minister for Food Security and the Fight Against Hunger during the first administration of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.