Dear President and delegates,

We all note that hunger is on the rise, and the economic crisis makes the challenges even more difficult, especially for the poor. In this harsh environment, we believe that the role of IFAD to overcome rural poverty is more relevant and important than ever.

It is evident that present food security challenges are the results of neglect of agricultural investments and support. It is clear that the key element of long-term and sustainable solutions to alleviation of hunger is “achieving rural development”. Thus, IFAD plays a key role in ensuring global food security, especially in developing countries.

We acknowledge IFAD’s recent efforts to extend its work programme through the 8th Replenishment to tackle the challenges that the rural poor are facing today. We can see that IFAD has improved its effectiveness greatly in project design and implementation, financial and institutional management practices and establishing multilateral partnerships to work together with relevant organizations.

In the last year, we have observed vigorous efforts of IFAD to advocate for the importance of rural development and to put it high in the global agenda and political platform. We are also pleased to see the efforts of IFAD to work together with other organizations based in Rome or elsewhere.

We believe that, through the already continuing reform process, IFAD will further enhance its efficiency to improve the livelihood of the rural poor and to alleviate poverty. In this regard, we are pleased to witness already the skilled leadership of the President and support of the membership to further strengthen IFAD’s capacity in this regard. Turkey will continue supporting the trusted work of IFAD.

17 February 2010