IFAD's 25^th Anniversary Session of the Governing Council

Member States, bilateral and multilateral agencies, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, academics, religious leaders and rural poor people joined The International Fund for Agriculture and Development (IFAD) in celebrating the 25^th Anniversary Session of its Governing Council, Rome 19th - 20^th February. The event marked the official launch of a one-year anniversary, during which IFAD aims to strengthen its partnerships and build a stronger pro-poor coalition.

The event was inaugurated by the President of the Italian Republic, His Excellency Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Annan, and Lennart Båge President of International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). Heads of state and other UN agencies were also present at the event and Mr Jacques Diouf, the Director General of FAO and Mr James T. Morris, Executive Director of the World Food Programme made statements during the ceremony.

A series of roundtable discussions were organised to promote knowledge sharing and mutual learning on themes considered vital for reducing rural poverty and promoting broad-based and sustainable economic growth

• Indigenous Peoples and Sustainable Development
• Promoting Market Access for the Rural Poor in Order to Achieve the Millennium Development Goals
• Transforming Rural Institutions in Order to Reach the Millennium Development Goals
• Women as Agents of Change

To see the summary of the first day plenary panel discussion on "achieving the Millennium Development Goals by Enabling the Rural Poor to Overcome their Poverty", click here.

To see the reports that were prepared for the roundtable discussions, click here.