MEET THE TEAM

The UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

The Hub is comprised of a dynamic team, largely composed of experts seconded from across the UN system. Taking a systems-based approach, the team connects diverse expertise, shares insights, and coordinates efforts to help countries advance their food systems transformation and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

NADINE GBOSSA

Chief of the Means of Implementation, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Director of Food Systems Coordination, IFAD

Ms Nadine Gbossa started her career with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development in Geneva, and the United Nations Office for Project Services in Abidjan and New York. From 2004, she has held senior management positions with the United Nations Development Programme in Niger and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in Italy. As Country Director, Representative and Regional head for IFAD, Nadine worked in several African countries with vulnerable communities, governments, development partners and the private sector for inclusive growth. From 2016 to 2018, Nadine headed the Global Partnerships and Policies Division in the Development Co-operation Directorate of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in Paris leading the OECD’s development cooperation work. In August 2018, was appointed as Representative for IFAD in Nigeria, managing the largest country programme in the region. Subsequently, IFAD appointed her as Director for the West and Central Africa region leading one of IFAD’s largest investment divisions. In 2021, Nadine was appointed as Director for Food Systems Coordination in IFAD and she is the Chief of the Means of Implementation for the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub. 

ROMAIN HOULMANN

Associate Professional Officer, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Mr Romain Houlmann works as an Associate Professional Officer from Switzerland with the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub at FAO Headquarters.  Before joining the Hub, he worked for several years as Programme Officer and Project Coordinator for Civil Society Organizations, both in Switzerland and in Latin America, dedicated to the promotion of agroecology, food sovereignty and the human right for food. He also worked for a couple of years at the Region of Latin America and Caribbean (RLC) office of the FAO as an Agroecology Officer.  Romain has a master’s degree in international development and a CAS in sustainable food systems. 

NICOLE DE PAULA

Technical Officer (Science for Food Systems), UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Ms Nicole de Paula, PhD, is the Technical Officer (Science for Food Systems) at the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, leading the work on thought leadership and science-policy interface. She is the inaugural Klaus Töpfer Fellow at the Institute for Advanced Studies for Sustainability in Potsdam, Germany, and founder of Women Leaders for Planetary Health. In 2021, she published the book “Breaking the Silos for Planetary Health: A Roadmap for a Resilient Post-Pandemic World”. She is also an advisor to the World Health Organization- South-East Asia Regional Expert Group on Environment Determinants of Health and Climate Change and one of the Scientific Commissioners of The Lancet Pathfinder Commission on decabornization.

KHALED ELTAWEEL

Senior Programme Officer, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Senior Coordinator, FAO Office of the Director-General

Mr Khaled Eltaweel has more than twenty years of professional experience in Development and International Law at the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Currently, he also serves as Regional Coordinator at the Office of the Director-General of FAO. Khaled served as Chair of the FAO Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP) from 2016-2018 and Chair of the Committee on Food Security (CFS) Working Group on Nutrition 2015-2018. He co-led the implementation of the CFS evaluation. He was elected vice president of the Group of G77 and China in Rome in 2017 and the UNIDROIT General Assembly in 2016. He holds a PhD in International Law from the University of Pretoria, South Africa, and a Master of International Business Administration from ESLSCA Business school in Paris. He authored several academic books and articles and is a visiting lecturer of International Law.

MICHELLE SECK

UN Food Systems Specialist, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Born and raised in a coastal city in Borneo, Malaysia, Michelle's passion for agriculture and food security stems from the challenges that her country and community faced in these areas. As part of the hub, she supports the overall organization of the Stocktaking Moment and engagement with Member States and Stakeholders in support of food systems transformation. Prior to joining the Hub, she worked as a Partner and Liaison Specialist in the FAO Brussels office, supporting the engagement with Non-State Actors, technical bodies of the EU and OACPS; and later joined the World Food Forum team, leading the work of the Youth Action track – advocating for youth engagement and building capacities of youth to engage in policy processes. Michelle holds a Master's in Nutrition and Rural Development, specializing in public health, and a Bachelor's in Clinical Nutrition.

KUNTHARA POONJARUWAT

Digital and Multimedia Expert, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Ms. Kunthara Poonjaruwat is a communication designer passionate about leveraging creative strategies and storytelling to address social and environmental challenges. She currently supports the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and the Office of SDGs at FAO, contributing to the operationalization and implementation of communications and advocacy through her expertise in digital communication. Kunthara specializes in delivering visual narratives that promote the SDGs and drive food systems transformation. Her work encompasses multimedia communication, including graphic design, moving-image production, and web development. Prior to joining the Hub, Kunthara worked as a visual designer for the United Nations ESCAP, where she contributed to the production of communication materials on global sustainable development issues. She also has a background in working with international non-profit organizations and organizing art events, focusing on collaborative community-building through art and cultural practices in Bangkok, Thailand, where she was born and raised.

KUNTUM MELATI

Policy Officer, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Ms Kuntum Melati is a Policy Officer under the Office for Sustainable Development Goals at FAO Headquarters. With 12 years of experience in development in Southeast Asia and internationally, she has held various roles in research, facilitation, and program management. Her work has primarily focused on building partnerships and collaboration to achieve SDGs, especially in the areas of sustainable agrifood systems, circular economy, and natural resource management. In the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, she manages the finance and investment cluster in collaboration with IFAD and The World Bank, supporting the Hub in developing the Corporate Accountability and the Convergence Initiative. She holds an MA in Gender and Peace Building from the UN University for Peace in Costa Rica and an MSc in Environment and Development from the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom.

MERIEM ACHOURI

UN Food Systems Programme Specialist, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Ms. Meriem Achouri has almost a decade of experience in development, research, and civil society. She joined FAO in 2018, initially working in the resource mobilization and private sector division. Later, she shifted to the inclusive rural transformation and gender equity division, where she focused on promoting inclusivity and gender equity in rural communities. Meriem also gained valuable insights into global cooperation efforts through her experience with the south-south and triangular cooperation division . In 2023, she joined the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, showcasing her dedication to transforming food systems worldwide. Meriem holds a master’s degree in Humanitarian Action from the University of Malta's NOHA program.

PAOLA CONTI

Office Assistant, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Ms. Paola Conti works with the UN Food System Coordination Hub as an Office Assistant, providing administrative and logistical support to the office and its members. After completing her degree in Modern Languages and Cultures, she received a Master’s degree in Interpreting and Translation focused on English and Arabic languages. Before joining the Hub, she worked as an administrative-linguistic assistant at the Central Directorate for Immigration of the Italian Ministry of Interior and as a freelance translator. Passionate about the Arabic language, migration issues and migrants’ rights, she attended short academic courses on international protection and asylum systems and spent some time in Tunisia and Jordan where she worked as a volunteer with refugee children. She hopes to use her personal and work skills to concretely contribute to improving lives of disadvantage people.

LUDOVICA NESBITT

Food Systems Science Specialist, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Ms Ludovica Nesbitt is a junior consultant with a master's degree in International Relations and global studies. She is committed to collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders within the food systems domain, a dedication that has been cultivated through her extensive international encounters. Moreover, Ludovica had the opportunity to undertake an internship at the Council of Europe and later on, with the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub itself, which allowed her to experience closely how international actors get to work together. With her academic background, international and practical experiences, Ludovica is poised to make a significant impact on the world stage in addressing the challenges of global food systems.

GABRIELE ALLETTA

Intern, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Mr Gabriele Alletta has an interdisciplinary academic background acquired through a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistic and Intercultural Mediation from the University of Rome La Sapienza and a Master's Degree in International Studies from the University of Roma Tre. This academic background has provided him with a profound awareness of the pivotal importance foreign affairs, diplomacy and intercultural networks play in tackling global challenges. Before joining the Hub, he dedicated himself to actively join two different civil society organizations targeting the youth with the objective of empowering younger generations and strengthening their role both within international organizations and across our society. In this role, he also participated as member of a delegation to the 2023 World Food Forum Flagship Event, thus having the possibility to watch from a close point of view how the international community is addressing and implementing food systems transformation. With a keen interest in contributing to the work of international organizations, he is committed to putting his knowledge and capabilities to work with the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub. During his internship at the Hub, he supports the knowledge management activities and other cross cutting work within the team.

ALESSIA CECI

Intern, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

Ms. Alessia Ceci holds an interdisciplinary academic background, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Modern Languages for Intercultural Communication and a Master’s Degree in International Studies, both from the University of Roma Tre. Her academic journey sparked a deep interest in the intersection of gender, crisis management, and sustainable development, leading her to focus her Master’s thesis on how crises, such as global pandemics, exacerbate inequalities and disproportionately impact women, particularly in terms of economic security, healthcare access, and exposure to violence. Prior to joining the UN Food System Coordination Hub, Alessia gained hands-on experience in diplomacy and international cooperation through internships at the Embassy of Mexico in Rome and the Embassy of Italy in Bahrain. Passionate about creating global impact, Alessia is focused on promoting sustainable food systems and advocating international development efforts. As part of the Hub, Alessia supports program and project development activities, as well as other cross-cutting initiatives, helping to drive the team’s work forward.