Guyanese agronomist Muhammad Ibrahim has officially assumed office as the new Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), pledging to serve all regions of the Americas and advance more competitive, efficient and science-based agrifood systems.
Ibrahim took office during a formal ceremony attended by ministers and senior officials from more than 30 countries. Seated on the main platform were Mary Munive Angermüller, Vice-President of Costa Rica; Arnoldo Tinoco and Alejandro Solano, Costa Rica’s Minister and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; Zulfikar Mustapha, Guyana’s Minister of Agriculture; and Cleber Soares, Brazil’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock. Outgoing Director General Manuel Otero formally handed over leadership of the institution to Ibrahim.
Officials from the United States, including representatives of the State Department and the Secretariat of Agriculture, as well as delegates from Argentina, also attended the ceremony.
Ibrahim brings extensive experience in agricultural development, international cooperation and public policy, having held senior leadership roles in academic institutions and international organisations. He is widely regarded as an authority on sustainable agriculture and rural development.
IICA operates in 34 countries across the Americas and plays a central role in supporting governments in the design and implementation of public policies aimed at strengthening agricultural productivity, sustainability and resilience.
Cleber Soares, representing Brazil’s Minister of Agriculture and current Chair of IICA’s highest governing body, the Inter-American Board of Agriculture (IABA), Carlos Fávaro, administered the oath of office to Ibrahim.
“I accept this tremendous responsibility with gratitude, humility and a profound sense of purpose,” Ibrahim said. “I am going to be a Director General for all the Americas, recognizing that we need differentiated strategies for each region of the hemisphere.”
He pledged to further elevate the institute’s standards, strengthen cooperation with member countries and close gaps to ensure more sustainable agrifood systems. Ibrahim also committed to fostering collaboration and partnerships grounded in transparency, financial prudence and accountability, while acknowledging the work of his predecessor, Manuel Otero, whose tenure helped position IICA as a leading institution in agricultural and rural development support.
Guyana’s President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, delivered congratulatory remarks via video message from Georgetown, highlighting IICA’s importance to regional development and value-added agriculture.
“Agriculture is the backbone of rural prosperity. It stabilizes our economy, which is why IICA plays such a vital role,” President Ali said. “I congratulate Muhammad Ibrahim and recognize IICA’s importance as a pillar for development and for strengthening partnerships to achieve a competitive, resilient and sustainable agriculture sector.”
