DA official named first Filipino to chair FAO commission

MANILA, Philippines — A ranking official at the Department of Agriculture (DA) has been elected as the first Filipino to chair a commission under the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

DA Assistant Secretary Paz Benavidez II was elected chairperson of FAO’s commission on genetic resources for food and agriculture (CGRFA) during the international body’s 20th session held in Rome, Italy recently.

The DA hailed the election as “historic” since Benavidez is the first Filipino to hold the prestigious position at the FAO. Benavidez is currently serving as the assistant secretary for policy and regulations at the DA.

The commission focuses on policies for the sustainable use, conservation, and equitable sharing of these essential resources. It is the only permanent intergovernmental body of the FAO dedicated to biological diversity for food and agriculture.

“This is a very proud moment for the DA family. Assistant Secretary Benavidez’s election as the first Filipino to head the commission speaks volumes not only about her personal achievements but also the wealth of talent within the DA,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said.

Benavidez will serve a two-year term, concluding in 2027 at the 21st session of the UN-CGRFA.

As chairperson, Benavidez will lead discussions and decision-making processes, ensuring the smooth functioning of the FAO’s advisory body on genetic resources, according to the DA.

“Her leadership will play a key role in advancing global efforts to preserve and sustainably manage genetic resources for food and agriculture,” the DA said.

Benavidez, a lawyer by profession, has handled various portfolios at the DA, having served as assistant secretary in the past administrations and as head of the Bureau of Plant Industry, among others.

The UN-CGRFA was created in 1983 to address plant genetic resources. Today, it includes 179 member states and the European Union, highlighting its global importance in shaping sustainable agricultural practices.