Islamic bloc backs Türkiye’s candidate for UN food agency
Baghdad declaration backs Mehmet Mehdi Eker ahead of July 2027 election, highlighting food security and agricultural cooperation
ANKARA, Türkiye (MNTV) — The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation has called on its 57 member states to support Türkiye’s candidate, Mehmet Mehdi Eker, for director-general of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in an election scheduled for July 2027.
Article 58 of the Baghdad Declaration, adopted during the OIC’s 52nd Council of Foreign Ministers session on October 17–18, 2026, urges member states to support Eker “in the spirit of Islamic solidarity.” The declaration was adopted in Baghdad, Iraq, according to a press release issued by Eker’s campaign on October 19.
The endorsement provides Eker with a potential base of support across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Latin America. The OIC has 57 member states, representing a combined population of approximately two billion people, while its members account for around 30 percent of the FAO’s 194 member nations.
Each FAO member nation has one vote in the election of the director-general. However, the OIC’s call does not establish that all its members will vote for Eker, and the final outcome will depend on the voting decisions of FAO member states.
Campaign emphasizes food security and agricultural cooperation
Eker’s campaign has presented his candidacy as an effort to strengthen food security, build resilient agrifood systems and support small-scale producers. It also emphasizes practical cooperation between developed and developing countries.
In a statement included in the October 19 press release, Eker thanked the OIC, Iraq’s foreign minister, the organization’s secretary-general, and member-state representatives for supporting his candidacy.
“Food security knows no borders,” Eker said, adding that, if elected, he would work with members from every region to make the FAO more effective, inclusive and results-oriented.
The campaign also highlighted the OIC’s geographic reach, noting that approximately half of its member states are in Africa. It said this regional diversity supports Eker’s ambition to serve all FAO members rather than a single bloc.
The press release describes Eker as Türkiye’s longest-serving minister of food, agriculture and livestock. It credits his tenure with helping Türkiye become one of the world’s leading agricultural economies, although the release does not provide supporting economic figures.
Election scheduled for June–July 2027
The FAO director-general is elected by the organization’s Conference for a four-year term. The 45th session of the Conference is scheduled to take place in Rome from June 26 to July 2, 2027, with the election expected during that session.
The current director-general, Qu Dongyu, is due to complete his term in 2027. Eker’s candidacy will compete for the leadership of the UN agency responsible for international efforts to combat hunger, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.
The OIC’s endorsement marks a diplomatic development in the campaign, but it does not guarantee the candidate’s election. Its practical significance will depend on whether member states translate the declaration’s call into votes at the FAO Conference.
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