International Dairy Federation appoints Gilles Froment as new president

USA – The International Dairy Federation (IDF) has elected Gilles Froment as its new President during the 118th General Assembly held in Paris. 

Froment, who previously served as an IDF Board Member and Treasurer, succeeds Piercristiano Brazzale. 

With more than two decades of dedicated service to the Federation and extensive experience in both the public and private sectors, Froment brings a wealth of expertise to his new role. 

He currently serves as Senior Vice President of Government and Industry Relations at Lactalis Canada, a position that further underscores his deep connection to the dairy industry.

Froment’s contributions to IDF over the years have been significant, particularly as Chair of the Standing Committee on Dairy Policies and Economics (SCDPE).

 His leadership in various national and international IDF initiatives has shaped the organization’s strategic direction. His election as President is seen as a continuation of this leadership. 

In his acceptance speech, Froment shared his vision for the future of IDF, emphasizing the need for decisive leadership in addressing pressing challenges such as environmental sustainability and global food security.

“I am truly honored to have been elected President of the International Dairy Federation,” Froment said.

“The challenges we face require science-based solutions and collaboration with members, experts, and partners. I look forward to positioning IDF as the global authority on dairy and ensuring that our sector’s contributions to sustainable food systems are recognized and supported.”

Froment’s presidency will focus on strengthening IDF’s relationships with key international organizations like the FAO, WHO, and Codex Alimentarius, while also leading on critical issues such as environmental sustainability and governance. 

His prior role as Treasurer will ensure that IDF’s financial sustainability remains a priority, enabling the organization to continue providing expertise to its members.

Outgoing President Piercristiano Brazzale praised Froment’s dedication and leadership. 

“Gilles has been a committed leader within IDF for many years. His extensive background in the dairy sector makes him the ideal leader for this next phase. I am confident that Gilles will uphold IDF’s values and lead with vision and commitment.”

In addition to the election, IDF has released the IDF Women in Dairy Report 2024 during the Women in Dairy Roundtable at the IDF Business Meetings in Paris, ahead of the World Dairy Summit 2024. 

The report emphasizes the contributions of women in the global dairy sector and highlights their critical role in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5, which focuses on gender equality.

The report, the second edition of this publication, features 16 case studies from across the globe, illustrating how dairy supports women’s empowerment through improved nutrition, income, livelihoods, education, and community sustainability. 

DF’s ongoing commitment to gender equality is underscored by initiatives like the IDF Women in Dairy Knowledge Hub, which celebrates the achievements of women in the dairy sector.

“The IDF Women in Dairy Report illustrates how women in the dairy sector are driving progress and fostering well-being in their communities,” Laurence Rycken, Director General of IDF said. “From local communities to international platforms, women are at the forefront of innovation and growth in dairy.”

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