Guyanese agronomist Muhammad Ibrahim has formally assumed office as Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) for the 2026–2030 term, becoming the first Guyanese to lead the hemispheric agricultural body.
In a recorded message played at the ceremony, President Irfaan Ali congratulated Ibrahim and underscored the importance of IICA to regional development, noting that agriculture remains central to rural livelihoods, economic stability and value-added growth across the Americas. He emphasised that the institute plays a critical role in strengthening partnerships and advancing a competitive, resilient and sustainable agricultural sector.
Ibrahim was sworn in during a formal ceremony attended by ministers and senior officials from more than 30 countries, including representatives from the United States, Argentina, the Caribbean and Latin America. The oath of office was administered by Cleber Soares, Brazil’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, acting on behalf of Brazil’s Minister of Agriculture and Chair of the Inter-American Board of Agriculture (IABA), Carlos Fávaro. Outgoing Director General Manuel Otero formally handed over leadership of the organization.
Also present were Mary Munive Angermüller, Vice-President of Costa Rica; Arnoldo Tinoco and Alejandro Solano, Costa Rica’s Minister and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Zulfikar Mustapha, Guyana’s Minister of Agriculture.
In his inaugural remarks, Ibrahim said he accepted the responsibility with humility and a strong sense of purpose, pledging to serve all regions of the hemisphere while recognizing that different areas require tailored strategies. He committed to strengthening cooperation with member states, promoting science-based and sustainable agrifood systems, and maintaining transparency, accountability and sound financial management.
Ibrahim brings decades of experience in agricultural development, public policy and international cooperation, and is widely regarded as a leading authority on sustainable agriculture and rural development.
IICA operates in 34 countries across the Americas, providing technical cooperation and policy support to governments aimed at improving agricultural productivity, sustainability and resilience.
