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The International Grains Council (IGC) Appointed Etsuo Kitahara, Vice-President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), as the New Executive Director

January 17, 2006

  1. The Government of Japan welcomes the appointment of Mr. Etsuo Kitahara, Vice-President of Japan International Cooperation Agency, as the new Executive Director of the International Grains Council (IGC) at the 22nd Session of the Council held in London on January 16, 2006. His term will begin on February 1, 2006.
  2. Since the Executive Director of the IGC has been appointed from grains-exporting countries, Japan has been of the view that it would make a contribution to the development of the IGC that someone with the understanding of grains-importing countries be appointed as the next Executive Director. Ever since Mr. Kitahara stood for the new Executive Director with the full support of the Government of Japan last September, the Government lobbied IGC member countries for Mr. Kitahara's appointment.
  3. Now that Mr. Kitahara was officially appointed as the Executive Director of the IGC, the Government of Japan would like to further cooperate with the IGC for the realization of food security in the world.

(Reference)

1. International Grains Council

The International Grains Council (IGC) is an international organization headquartered in London, with the objective to contribute to the stability of international grains market and to enhance world food security through its activities including exchange of information regarding trade in grains. The IGC was established in 1951 as the International Wheat Council, and organized as IGC in 1995. The IGC deals with barley, maize, millet, oats, rye, sorghum, triticale and wheat, and their products.

2. Professional experiences of Mr. Kitahara

1974- Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), 2002- Deputy Director-General, Rural Development Bureau, MAFF, 2003- Senior Deputy Director-General, Land and Water Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, 2004- Current position.

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