Carl Skau is WFP’s Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer. In this role, he leads the organization’s overall coordination, strategic direction, humanitarian diplomacy, and support for field operations. He also supports corporate efforts to maximize WFP’s inter-agency collaboration and partnerships.  

Prior to joining WFP, Mr. Skau headed the Department for Multilateral Partnerships at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, where he led its response to humanitarian crises across the globe, including the COVID-19 pandemic. He also served as Sweden’s Ambassador and Special Envoy to Venezuela, and was Ambassador and Deputy Repre-sentative to the United Nations in New York during Sweden’s two-year term on the Security Council.  

His previous positions have included Deputy Representative to the European Union Political and Security Committee in Brussels, in addition to postings for the EU and UN in Africa and Latin America. He began his career with UNHCR and UNDP.  

Mr. Skau, a Swedish national, holds a Master’s Degree in Political Science from Lund University.