Rome, February 19th, 2003

Mr. Chairperson,
Mr. Bage, President of IFAD,
Distinguished Governors, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my great honour to represent Japan on this important occasion of the Twenty-fifth Anniversary Session of the Governing Council of IFAD.
First of all, I would like to sincerely congratulate IFAD on the twenty-fifth anniversary of its foundation. Various commemorative events planned this year will surely be conductive to enhance public awareness of IFAD as a flag bearer for poverty reduction in the rural area. With this broader and stronger foundation, I do hope that IFAD will grab this opportunity to reinforce its activities. In order to support IFAD’s activities, Japan has decided to make financial contribution for these events.

Mr. Chairperson,

Since the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) were agreed at the United Nations in September 2000, a growing interest in the issue of development has been spurred in the international community.
Japan highly appreciates IFAD’s efforts to seek an innovative approach in achieving MDGs, which focus on the improvement of rural poor’s access to natural resources, financial services and domestic markets, as well as the mainstreaming of gender in rural development. Japan believes that this is a very appropriate approach and fully supports it. Therefore, we made a commitment of 30 million US dollars in the sixth replenishiment despite of the severe financial constraints where contributions to many multinational institutions have been substantially cut.
Gender issue, in particular, is an important aspect and assistance to three priority areas, namely, education, health and women’s participation in the economic and social activities is extremely important. In the light of this, in 1995, Japan together with IFAD established the Fund for Women in Development (WID). Since the establishment of the WID, Japan has been contributing financial assistance reaching to-date the total amount of approximately 6 million US dollars.

Mr. Chairperson,

At this point, I would like to highlight Japan’s views on the ways and means to achieve MDGs.

Firstly, a comprehensive approach is necessary by mobilizing all kinds of resources such as ODA, private capital including foreign direct investment and resources through trade.

Secondly, self-help and ownership on the side of the recipient countries are pre-requisites for the successful implementation of economic assistance. If such factors are supported together with the partnership of the international community, substantial achievements can be envisaged. IFAD should seriously consider its capacity to strengthen the solidality with other international organizations and major donors.
Thirdly, the concept of the so-called “South-South cooperation” could also be an effective tool to be incorporated in view of the better achievements of IFAD projects.

Mr. Chairperson,

Japan regards MDGs as one of the most important pillars in its economic cooperation. As far as activities in the field of agriculture are concerned, Japan has been implementing various kinds of assistance through grants, loans and technical aid. For example, the delivery of food, food production increase including the procurement of fertilizers and agricultural instruments, irrigation, the improvement of distribution systems, the training of people from developing countries and the dispatch of Japanese experts and volunteers to developing countries.

One of Japan’s unique projects is concentrated on the development and dissemination of New Rice for Africa, called NERICA. NERICA is a new species developed by crossing the Asian and African rice varieties and is resistant to local stress and of a short growth cycle. Japan intends to actively disseminate NERICA to contribute to the improvement of the food situation in Africa.

Mr. Chairperson,

The problem of water is closely connected with agriculture. The World Water Forum and the International Ministerial Conference will be held next month in Japan. It is important that water issues relating to agriculture and rural development are discussed in these conferences because water consumed for agriculture covers 70% of the total quantity of water consumption in the world.

In addition, the Third Tokyo International Conference on African Development will be held in Tokyo in September this year.

To conclude, Mr. Chairperson, I would like to reaffirm that Japan intends to continue to actively support rural development and auspices to further strengthen the cooperative relations with IFAD which has extensive knowledge and expertise in this field.

Thank you very much.