The World Potato Congress Inc.’s (WPC) Board of Directors congratulates Dr. Simon Heck on his appointment as the future Director General of the International Potato Center (CIP), headquartered in Lima, Peru.

For the past ten years, Simon has directed the CIP sweet potato initiative, which has reached over seven million homes, predominantly in Africa, with bio-fortified sweet potatoes. He is also known for his unusual ability to have research results promptly tested and, if successful, quickly adapted and implemented by farmers and stakeholders in a variety of nations.

“Both the World Potato Congress Board of Directors and the global team under the direction of Dr. Heck have similar missions as we fulfill objectives designed to improve global food security. The WPC has benefited greatly from the ongoing support of CIP,” Dr. Peter VanderZaag, WPC President, said.

Dr. Simon Heck will begin his new position on March 1, 2023. Dr. Oscar Ortiz, who served as Interim Director General, will remain as CGIAR Senior Director for Crop-based Systems in Lima.