The International Year of Millets (IYM) Steering Committee provides overall guidance and assistance to the implementation of IYM-related activities, including the establishment of national and regional committees, as well as mobilization of technical, political and financial support
Its main role is to:

  • provide guidance on the overall planning and implementation of the International Year of Millets;  
  • provide guidance and monitor the implementation of the IYM Action Plan and propose periodic updates as and when appropriate;  
  • propose actions and promote the cooperation of different stakeholders to achieve the IYM objectives;  
  • promote the global, regional and national recognition of the importance of millets to achieve the SDGs;  
  • provide feedback and stimulate dialogue with partners that are represented by members (e.g. Governments; international organizations; academia; civil society; private sector);  
  • provide guidance and actively collaborate in the mobilization of financial support for the implementation of the IYM Action Plan; and monitor the expenditure of the mobilized budget;  
  • provide advice on main advocacy tools developed for the IYM; and  
  • oversee the production of a background paper and legacy document.  

IYM ISC Membership list


Chairperson

Asia

Neena Malhotra

Ambassador; Permanent Representative to FAO

[email protected] 

Republic of India

 

Dr J Balaji

Minister (Agriculture)

[email protected]

Republic of India


Republic of India


Observer

Asia

Shubha Thakur

Joint Secretary
Department of Agriculture and Cooperation & Farmers Welfare, India

[email protected]

Republic of India


Republic of India


Vice-Chairperson

Africa

Yaya Adisa Olaitan Olaniran  

Permanent Representative to FAO

[email protected]

Federal Republic of Nigeria 

Federal Republic of Nigeria


Alternate

Africa

Phyllis Martha Klorkor Mends

Minister Counsellor
Alternate Permanent Representative to FAO

[email protected]

Republic of Ghana

Republic of Ghana


Representative

Europe 

Stefania Costanza

First Counsellor
Permanent Representative to UN Agencies in Rome

[email protected]

Italian Republic

Italian Republic


Alternate

Europe 

Marie Lise Stoll

First Counsellor
Deputy Permanent Representative to FAO

[email protected]

Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

Grand Duchy of Luxembourg


Observer

Europe 

Filiberto Altobelli

Permanent Representation of the Italian Republic ; Research Centre for Agricultural Policies and Bioeconomy; Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA)

[email protected]

Italian Republic

Italian Republic


Representative

Latin America and Caribbean 

Moira Rafaela Vargas Francisco

Counsellor - Alternate Permanent Representative to FAO

[email protected]

Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic


Alternate

Latin America and Caribbean 

Any Lam Chong

Deputy Permanent Representative to FAO

[email protected]

Republic of Panama

Republic of Panama


Representative

Near East and North Africa 

Mina Rizk Attia Rizk

Permanent Representation to FAO

[email protected]

Republic of Egypt

Republic of Egypt


Alternate

Near East and North Africa 

Saadia Elmubarak Ahmed Daak

Counsellor - Agriculture
Alternate Permanent Representative to FAO

[email protected]

Republic of Sudan

Republic of Sudan


Representative

North America 

Stefano Mifsud

Office Manager - U.S. Department of Agriculture

[email protected]

US Mission to the UN Agencies in Rome

United States of America


Alternate

North America 

Julie Emond

Counsellor - Agriculture and Food
Alternate Permanent Representative to FAO

[email protected]

Canada

Canada


Representative

Southwest Pacific 

Emma Hatcher

Counsellor
Deputy Permanent Representative to FAO

[email protected]

Australia

Australia


Alternate

Southwest Pacific 

Jenny Louise Reid

Counsellor - Primary Industries
Deputy Permanent Representative to FAO

[email protected]

New Zeland

New Zeland


Vice-Chairperson

Stakeholder 

Jaqueline Hughes

Director General

[email protected]

International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)
ICRISAT

Stakeholder

Aggrey Agumya

Executive Director

[email protected]

Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)
FARA

Stakeholder

Ravi Khetarpal

Executive Director

[email protected]

Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institution (APAARI)
APAARI

Stakeholder

Xianmin Diao

Chief Scientist of Millets

[email protected]

Institute of Crop Science; Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS)
CAAS

Stakeholder

Robert Delve

Lead Global Technical Advisor - Agronomy

[email protected]

Sustainable Production, Markets and Institutions Division
Strategy and Knowledge Department
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
IFAD

Stakeholder

Arnaud Petit

Executive Director

[email protected]

International Grains Council (IGC)
IGC

Stakeholder

Laura Lorenzo

Director

[email protected]

World Rural Forum (WRF)
WRF

Stakeholder

Ramesh Sharma

National Convenor

[email protected]

Ekta Parishad
WRF