David Laborde is one of the world’s foremost economists shaping global thinking on food systems, climate resilience, agricultural transformation, and international trade. At the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), he leads the Agrifood Economics Division, the organization’s core analytical hub supporting global food policy, crisis response, and long-term sustainable development strategies, as well as the Agrifood Economics and Policy Division, where he oversees flagship publications and work on policy monitoring, reform, and agrifood system transformation.

In this role, Laborde directs advanced economic modelling and policy analysis used by governments, development banks, and international institutions to address challenges such as hunger reduction, food price volatility, climate shocks, and agricultural investment. His work provides critical data and forecasts that inform decision-making in an increasingly complex global landscape.

A pioneer in integrating climate change into economic and food system models, he has been instrumental in demonstrating how environmental pressures—such as rising temperatures and extreme weather—affect agricultural productivity, trade flows, and food security, helping to position climate resilience as a central component of economic planning.

He is also internationally recognised for his expertise in agricultural trade and its implications for development, equity, and global stability, showing how well-designed trade policies can strengthen food systems and mitigate climate risks.

Widely published and highly cited, Laborde continues to shape global debate on sustainable food systems, climate economics, and development policy, contributing to strategies for more resilient, equitable, and future-ready economies.