Gilbert F. Houngbo

Gilbert F. Houngbo is the director-general of the International Labour Organization (ILO), a UN agency that brings together governments, employers and workers to set labor standards, develop policies and devise programs promoting decent work. He was previously president of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Born and raised in Togo, Houngbo experienced first-hand the harshness of rural life among vulnerable people. It instilled in him a lifelong passion for engaging in development efforts that are transformative and sustainable. He applies his personal insights and 30 years of experience in organizational leadership, international development, financial management and diplomacy to advance the wellbeing of vulnerable populations and the health of the planet.

Houngbo joined the board of directors of the Natural Resource Governance Institute as its chair in 2022.

He is also the chair of UN-Water, which coordinates the efforts of over 30 UN entities and international organizations working on water and sanitation issues. He is also helping to shape the future of global food security and agriculture as a member of the board of stewards for the Food Systems Initiative of the World Economic Forum (WEF), and a member of the board of directors of the International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA). As a founding member of the Ambassadors Group for Generation Africa, Houngbo collaborates with other continental leaders on ways to foster support for innovative young African entrepreneurs.

Prior to his appointment as IFAD president, Houngbo was the deputy director-general of the ILO, where he led field operations in more than 100 countries and managed bilateral and multilateral partnerships. From 2008 to 2012, he served as Prime Minister of the Togolese Republic, where he introduced economic and social reforms leading to poverty reduction.

From 1996 to 2008, he undertook a number of roles at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), including director of finances, chief of staff, assistant secretary-general and Africa regional director. In addition, he led poverty alleviation programmes in 45 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Before this, Houngbo spent a decade in the private sector, including at Price Waterhouse, Canada, where he worked in audit and financial advisory services.

Houngbo earned a Maîtrise en gestion des entreprises from the University of Lomé, Togo and a Diplôme d’Etudes Supérieures Spécialisées in specialised accounting from the University of Quebec, Canada. He is a member of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Professional Accountants.