Promoting an integrated approach to rural development

The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) convenes in Geneva from 30 June to 2 July 2003. The theme of this High-Level Segment of ECOSOC is “Promoting an integrated approach to rural development in developing countries for poverty eradication and sustainable development”.

ECOSOC is the second highest deliberative body in the UN system of member governments. The High-Level Segment will result in a ministerial declaration that will be presented to the UN General Assembly.

Rural development and poverty eradication have been addressed at several major UN conferences and summits in recent years. The outcomes of the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, the Monterrey Conference on Financing for Development in Mexico, and the World Food Summit + 5 in Rome all included commitments to invest in rural development and agriculture to eradicate poverty.

The ECOSOC High-Level Segment will build on these outcomes, to consider how rural development can contribute to achieving the internationally agreed development goals.

IFAD will be hosting and co-chairing two ministerial roundtable discussions on:

• Market access for agricultural and rural development
• Promoting an integrated approach to rural development in developing countries for poverty eradication and sustainable development: Global Partnerships for Rural Development - Jointly Organized by the World Bank and IFAD
• Land use practices and their impact on rural development (hosted by International Land Coalition and IFAD)

IFAD will also be presenting a book and an exhibit prepared for its 25th anniversary in 2003 to honour the achievements of rural poor people. The book and the exhibit are about the largest segment of the world’s poor – the 900 million poor women, children and men who live in rural environments.