Ad interim Subregional Coordinator for Central Asia: Viorel Gutu
Viorel Gutu has gained over 30 years of experience in agricultural development, enterprise restructuring, structural reforms, and private business development through his involvement in the public and private sector, and implementation of international projects.
A national of the Republic of Moldova, Viorel Gutu is FAO's ad interim Subregional Coordinator for Central Asia and FAO Representative for Türkiye and Uzbekistan since his appointment to the post of FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia in February 2024.
He joined FAO in 2014 as the head of FAO Tajikistan office, leading the country office in establishing productive relations with the national government and with key donors including the European Union and Japan International Cooperation Agency.
Before joining FAO, Gutu was Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry in the Republic of Moldova. In this position, he was responsible for the coordination, monitoring and evaluation of strategic policy implementation in agriculture and rural development. He also served as economic affairs officer with the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor, where he dealt with peacekeeping operations, poverty alleviation and prevention of the emergency situations. He holds a doctoral degree in economics.