THE Government of Guyana has extended its heartiest congratulations to Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim on his election as the new Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).
The historic election took place on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, during the 23rd Regular Meeting of the Inter-American Board of Agriculture (IABA) in Brasilia, Brazil.
Dr. Ibrahim, a national of Guyana, was nominated by the Government of Guyana and endorsed by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). He will serve a five-year term, becoming the first Guyanese and only the second CARICOM national to hold this distinguished position.
IICA, the specialised agency of the Inter-American System, is responsible for promoting agricultural development and rural well-being across the Americas. Dr. Ibrahim brings over 30 years of international experience in agricultural development, environmental management, and climate change adaptation, having worked across 32 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
His career includes leadership roles within IICA and the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE), where he served as Director General from 2016 to 2024 and was later named Director General Emeritus for his outstanding contributions. Dr. Ibrahim has also mobilised over US$250 million in funding for agricultural research, education, and innovation, while championing sustainable and inclusive agricultural systems, climate-resilient food production, livestock and agroforestry innovation, and regional policy development.
Dr. Ibrahim holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences from Wageningen Agricultural University, The Netherlands, an M.Sc. in Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources from CATIE, Costa Rica, and a B.Sc. in Agriculture from the University of Guyana.
In a statement, the Government of Guyana expressed its gratitude to CARICOM countries for their endorsement and unwavering support, as well as to all other nations in the hemisphere that lent their support to Dr. Ibrahim. The government noted that his appointment is expected to strengthen IICA’s leadership in driving innovation, sustainability, and resilience in agriculture across the Americas and the Caribbean.
Dr. Ibrahim’s election marks a significant milestone for Guyana and the wider Caribbean, reflecting the region’s growing influence in hemispheric agricultural development and co-operation.