Madam Chairperson,
Mr. President,
Fellow Governors,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are meeting here today during very worrisome times, in the throes of a global financial crisis that poses enormous challenges for each and every one of us, but especially developing countries. The economic crisis is a devastating addition to the food crisis, the energy crisis and the climate change crisis.

I believe that IFAD is best positioned to join forces with others in the global efforts to deal with these crises. We have to continue our efforts to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger by enhancing agricultural development and contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals through successful international cooperation and partnership.

In this context I would like to send Israel’s sympathy to the people and Government of Haiti. Israel has sent assistance in the very early stages and is currently planning its second phase of support.
Israel would like to acknowledge with appreciation the first year of the new President of IFAD, Mr. Nwanze, the new Vice President and to congratulate the team for arranging a successful meeting. We recognize the positives steps in reforming and strengthening IFAD, especially in the program countries.

IFAD should work in coordination and partnership with other partners. I would like to commend the growing coordination and cooperation between the Rome-based agencies. This should be a model for partnerships with other UN bodies, IFI’s, governments, private sector and the civil society. IFAD should focus on its expertise and on its unique contribution to development. This means more loans, more assistance to the rural poor, focusing on simple but efficient technologies, policies and good practices to support the smallholder farmers, in particular women.

Madam Chairperson,

As the title of the meeting today says, We have witnessed many summits, meetings and international resolutions and commitments. Now is time to make a difference and implement those commitments for the good of smallholder farmers and the rural poor.
The solutions are in our hands - technologies, R&D, technology transfer and know how; capacity building, empowerment and good farm management are part of the way forward. We have now to implement them.

Madam Chairperson,

The global ODA to agriculture, as we all know, has fallen dramatically in the last 20 years, one of the reasons for the lack of food security today. 1.1 billion hungry people is unacceptable. We are witnessing growing pressure and the environmental impact on the dwindling resources, that have to feed more people.

Israel, thru MASHAV, Israel’s agency for international cooperation, has been working for the past 52 years in sharing its know-how and experience with developing countries around the world in order to make a difference. MASHAV is adjusting and creating new programs and new partnerships as the challenges change. Issues of food security, climate change, environment, desertification, water management, rural development and capacity building are high on our agenda.

Israel has always invested in agriculture and is working with partners on simple irrigation technologies, strategies and models to adapt to climate change, mainly in Africa. The beneficiaries are the smallholder farmers that are the main producers of food in many developing countries. We are partnering and supporting the local policies of adaptation.

Last December, the General Assembly of the UN has adopted for the second time the Israeli-initiated resolution on “Agricultural technology for development”. The resolution, introduced by Israel, with the support of like-minded Member States, supports the use of know-how and technology and the promotion of research and development to increase agricultural productivity and food security in poor rural areas focusing on the smallholder farmer and on women.

Madam Chairperson,

Israel is proposing to establish and host an international center of excellence, a center that will be devoted to capacity building and training in areas of mitigation of climate change such as agriculture, water management, desertification and forestation. Israel will contribute its resources, accumulated knowledge, know-how and skills to that center that will serve mainly the Africa and MENA region.

Let me reiterate Israel’s commitment and support to IFAD and its agenda.

I thank you for your attention.

18 February 2010