Mr. Chairman,
Mr. President,
Distinguished Governors,
Ladies and Gentlemen

Today, I have the honour to address the Governing Council of IFAD on behalf of the Nordic Countries: Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Finland and my own country, Denmark.

We are at a point in time where the world is suffering from a multitude of crises. The crises have cleverly been phrased the “Three F-crisis” – fuel, finance and food. However, a fourth F could be added, namely F for frustration - the frustration that an increasing number of rural poor are being pushed deeper into poverty whereby the achievements reached with respect to the Millennium Development Goals might be reversed, but we should not – must not – allow ourselves to get lost in the darkness of frustration.

The Nordic Countries welcomes the commitment and the role of IFAD in the High-Level Task Force on the Global Food security crises, and the contributions from IFAD to the Comprehensive Framework for Action. At the same time it is crucial that all international initiatives are effectively coordinated.

The year 2015 is getting closer – the year, the world leaders have set as the deadline for the realization of the Millennium Development Goals. Especially with respect to the commitment to achieve MDG 1 – to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger - IFAD has the potential to contribute significantly. In this connection, the Nordic countries would also like to express their support for IFAD’s focus on sub-Saharan African countries –where the achievement of the MDGs is particularly threatened and where climate change is likely to have the most detrimental effect. 

But in order to reach MDG 1  we know that the vital contribution of rural women to agricultural production and to poverty eradication cannot be overstated.

Empowered women are a vital driver for a brighter future in rural communities. The lessons learned in the field of micro-finance serve as a notable example. The Nordic countries strongly encourage IFAD to continue its effort to promote gender equality and empower women.

This year Denmark is hosting the 15th UN Climate Conference – signaling a united effort to pursue   a global agreement for tackling the serious challenges posed by climate change. Climate change affects everybody, not least IFAD’s target group through its impact on agricultural development and food security. The Nordic countries fully support IFAD’s efforts to strengthen the vulnerable rural poor’s ability to pursue agriculture in an environmentally sustainable manner and to adapt to climate change.

The outcome of consultations on the 8th replenishment clearly shows that IFAD’s members believe that IFAD can make a difference – and this in a time where a difference is what the world needs. The successful replenishment is not only a concrete response to the food crisis and a reflection of agricultural development in general, but it is also a vote of confidence to IFAD and, in particular, a strong recognition of IFAD’s successful reform process. 

The collective work of IFAD management, staff and membership to transform IFAD to an effective and efficient, modern development institution is unique and a very good example for the future that change is possible.  But change and reforms must continue. While the latest independent assessment of the results and impact of IFAD’s operations showed satisfactory results of all interventions in terms of relevance, effectiveness and efficiency there is still need for further improvements. The assessment concluded that overall results in sub-Saharan Africa were weaker than those of other regions and that the sustainability of IFAD’s projects – not least in this region - must still be further strengthened.

Another important conclusion emerging from the assessment of IFAD’s operations was that project performance is significantly better in those countries where IFAD has country presence. The Nordic countries support the strengthening of IFAD’s efforts for better performance in the field.

But developing its own presence in all countries should and cannot be the objective. IFAD should have clear criteria for when it needs to be present and when it can leave responsibility to others. Therefore, IFAD should persistently seek to optimize the use of partnerships at the field level. And not least, country presence should be used to stengthen country ownership.

In the Nordic countries' view, result-based management should continue to be at the heart of IFAD’s reform process. The achievement of results must be the benchmark for IFAD’s management strategy and in the implementation of projects.

As expressed, the challenges facing IFAD and the world are grave. It is our conviction that these challenges can best be met if IFAD maintains its focus and continues to work according to its comparative advantages.

Moreover, cooperation with partners – be it other international financial institutions, other UN organizations, governments or NGOs – can serve to enhance the outreach and impact of IFAD’s operations. “Delivering as One” should not just be a sequence of empty words – it must be a guiding principle. The three Rome-based agencies are in a unique position to reap the fruits of cooperation in light of their complementary missions.

We strongly support continuous efforts to enhance cooperation at both the global, regional, country and community  level.

IFAD is not only facing new challenges in the field, the leadership of the organization is also changing. Let us take this opportunity to thank Mr. Lennart Båge for his excellent and dedicated leadership during the last eight years. We welcome the new leadership of the organization – as will be decided on presently - and would like to encourage the new President to continue IFAD's promising reform process while at the same time consolidating the impressive results achieved so far.

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your attention.