Distinguished Governors,
Directors General of UN Agencies based in Rome,
Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Firstly, let me congratulate you on your appointment as the Chairperson of the Council.

We also wish to take this opportunity to express our deepest gratitude to the outgoing President, Mr Lernard Bage, under his leadership IFAD increased its focus and capacity in the field, you have successfully implemented the required reforms and more importantly  you have steered the organisation through the stormy waters of globalisation.

As we elect the new leadership, we should remember the example you have set for IFAD. Our objective must be to build upon you achievement.

This Governing Council is taking place at a time when the world is experiencing severe impact of multiple crises, ranging from global financial meltdown, deepening volatility in the prices of food and climate change.

The crises are unprecedented in scale and impact; both the Developed and Developing Countries are at the receiving end of the tidal wave of these crises. South Africa and other Southern African Countries have experienced erratic weather patterns in recent years, the past growing seasons have been characterized by droughts, floods and the recurrence of animal diseases that have affected the agricultural landscape and populations negatively.

Food security of households and strategic reserves of individual countries are threatened by dwindling revenues resulting from the inability of financial institutions to extend loans to the agricultural sector. Job loses due to the collapse of small agro-businesses and retrenchments orchestrated by bigger corporations to rescue whatever is left of their investments increases the risk of food insecurity and malnutrition. Both WFP and FAO have recently alerted the world that the number of the malnourished people in the world has increased substantially due to the social consequences of the intensified crisis. As always, the poor are the hardest hit by the unfolding crisis.

As a country, we have responded in a calm and concerted manner. We have avoided panic responses. Government and the private sector are working closely together to prevent unnecessary closure of production lines, as well as job loses. Investment in the agricultural infrastructure, food security, land reform, social protection for the poor and mitigation remain key priorities of our Government.

However, we are acutely aware of the limitations of responses by individual countries. It is not only inadequate but dangerous for countries to embark on individual domestic responses in the face of a global crisis. No country will survive on its own steam. The nature of the crisis require nothing less than a united effort. More than ever before, the world needs multi-layered, multilateral -consultative solutions.

The Developed and Developing Countries need one another to confront the new challenges, the window of opportunity to build a just and equitable global governance system at all level is before us. 

Chairperson,

South Africa believes that any solution or system developed out of this crisis must empower the hungry people of the world, to be able to feed and develop themselves.

In this context women play an ever-increasing role and should be empowered. Rural women, in particular play a vital role in sustaining many households and producing food.

By empowering these women, we would ensure self-sufficiency at the wider societal level.

South Africa and the rest of the Developing World further believe that it is time that the IFAD put more emphasis on the recipients, especially at field levels. This in our view will help create organizational culture that relate to the vision, functions and mission envisioned in IFAD’s principles.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As a country we are grateful that we had the opportunity to serve in the Executive Board as a representative of Africa from  2006 to 2008, it was an enriching experience for our country, for this, we are especially indebted to members of the Board, who have unconditionally shared their skills and knowledge during those lengthy meetings we attended together. we shall continue to learn and engage IFAD in the field to fulfil the mission of eradication of rural poverty.

Time for never ending talk is over, the world is under threat, we need a united action now not tomorrow.

I thank you.