Margaret Zeigler named IICA Representative in the United States

WASHINGTON, DC (February 14, 2022) – The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) has named Dr. Margaret Zeigler as the IICA Representative in the United States.  Zeigler brings 25 years of experience in public policy and institutional leadership to advance sustainable, productive agriculture.  

“As climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic strain food production, IICA supports each Member State of the Americas, bringing solutions through its technical cooperation and support for farmers, ranchers, and food producers of all scales. IICA is a trusted partner to advance sustainable, productive agriculture and safe and resilient food systems,” said Margaret. “I am proud to be part of this institution that cares for people and the planet.”

Zeigler joins IICA after serving as Interim President of the SoAR Foundation (Supporters of Agricultural Research Foundation) and formerly as Executive Director of the Global Harvest Initiative.  She has also served as Deputy Director of the Congressional Hunger Center, based in Washington, DC.

The Director General of IICA, Manuel Otero, welcomed Ms. Zeigler and highlighted "her exceptional work record to strengthen public policies for sustainable agriculture and extend food security to the entire world".

For his part, the Deputy Director General of IICA, Lloyd Day, added: “I am delighted to have someone with Margaret’s experience and reputation join the IICA team to help advance the role of the USA in the leadership of agriculture in the Americas”.

The Americas contribute to global food and nutritional security by being the main food exporting region and the largest ecosystem service provider and source of biodiversity. The region is also critical to environmental sustainability and the mitigation of climate change effects at the global level.  IICA is accredited by the Green Climate Fund to implement projects in its Member States that adapt to and mitigate climate change in agriculture.  In January 2022 IICA announced it will become the first international organization headquartered in Costa Rica to become carbon neutral.

Thanks to IICA’s work in 2021, the 34 countries of the Americas presented a joint position on food and agriculture for the UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS), making it the only region to present such a framework to improve food and agriculture systems.  IICA also supports Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) IICA Member State capacities to detect and control livestock pests and diseases, such as African Swine Fever (ASF) along with risk communication, thereby protecting farmer livelihoods and strengthening trade.

IICA maintains a close relationship with the beneficiaries of its work across the Western Hemisphere. In 2022, IICA celebrates its 80th year supporting agriculture, agricultural health, food safety and quality, international agricultural trade, family farming, rural development, natural resource management and the bioeconomy.