WorldFish
- Dr. Essam Yassin Mohammed formally assumes the WorldFish Director General and CGIAR Senior Director of Aquatic Foods roles after serving as interim since 4 January 2022.
- He is a leading interdisciplinary systems thinker, researcher and policy adviser with a strong background in the economics of the ocean and fisheries.
- He has over two decades of international, multi-country experience and serves on numerous advisory bodies.
Dr. Essam Yassin Mohammed formally assumes the WorldFish Director General and CGIAR Senior Director of Aquatic Foods roles after serving as interim since 4 January 2022. Prior to stepping up to the helm at WorldFish, he was the Global Lead for Climate Resilience and Environmental Sustainability. Hailing from Eritrea, Dr. Mohammed will be WorldFish’s first Director General of African descent.
“From a field of many qualified candidates, it became clear to the nominations committee that Dr. Mohammed displayed the best qualities which WorldFish needs at present,” said Professor Baba Yusuf Abubakar, WorldFish Board of Trustees Chair.
“These included an equity-first approach to science and knowledge in aquatic foods and fish breeding, a compelling vision of where our sector requires unique comparative and competitive contributions from WorldFish science and interdependent aquatic foods in the CGIAR and an inclusive approach to leadership and team development,” Professor Abubakar added.
Dr. Mohammed is a leading interdisciplinary systems thinker, researcher and policy adviser with a strong background in the economics of the ocean and fisheries. Before joining WorldFish, he was the Head of Blue Economy at the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED).
“I am truly humbled and honored to be given this opportunity to lead WorldFish in our pursuit to transform food, land and water systems with aquatic foods by developing and delivering best-fit-for-context, world-class innovations adapted for today’s fast-paced global economy and the climate crisis, delivering a triple-win for nature, climate and people,” said Dr. Mohammed.
Dr. Mohammed has over two decades of international, multi-country experience in Sub-Saharan Africa, South, South East and East Asia, Latin America and Europe. Many nations have sought his advice, including Bangladesh, Brazil, Costa Rica, Cambodia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Myanmar, Vietnam, Albania, Egypt and Lebanon.
“Ensuring equitable and sustainable access to food from water will be essential if we are to end hunger and advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Dr. Mohammed is a passionate advocate for the potential for 'blue capital’ to help alleviate hunger and poverty, and a champion for CGIAR’s goal to provide food and nutrition security for all,” said Dr. Claudia Sadoff, CGIAR Executive Managing Director.
He serves on numerous advisory bodies including the Group of Experts for the second cycle of the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects of the United Nations.