Veterinarian to head IICA for first time

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Dr. Otero
Dr. Manuel Otero

When Argentine veterinarian Dr. Manuel Otero is sworn in as director general of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture on Jan. 15, 2018, it will mark the first time a veterinarian has held the position since the IICA's founding in 1942.

The AVMA supported the candidacy of Dr. Otero, who was elected this past October during the 19th Regular Meeting of the Inter-American Board of Agriculture, IICA's highest governing body. He will serve a four-year term as director general.

Headquartered in Costa Rica, the IICA supports and promotes efforts to achieve agricultural development and rural well-being among its 34 member states, which include the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Dr. Otero was employed in Argentina's public sector for 10 years, serving as an agricultural attache in Washington, D.C., and subsequently as vice president of the National Institute of Agricultural Technology.

He believes that America can position itself as a key stakeholder in facing the challenges of global food security and environmental sustainability, according to an IICA press release. However, Dr. Otero also acknowledges the urgency of redesigning traditional cooperation strategies to address these monumental challenges.

"IICA has a historical commitment to improve the situation of rural areas, and I will fulfill this mandate," Dr. Otero said in the release. "I will work with the most under-developed countries to alleviate inequality on our continent."