Madam Chairperson,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you Madam Chairperson for giving me the floor. The delegation of Botswana takes the floor to thank the delegates of IFAD  for finding it opportune to attend this important meeting.

Madam Chair, Botswana takes pride in being a member of this august body. We are aware that IFAD has been instrumental in assisting the most impoverished nations to eradicate poverty and hunger and therefore uplifting the living standards of the poorest of the poor.

In this regard, Madam Chair, Botswana was greatly touched and impressed by the swift move made by the organisation in assisting Haiti, following the devastating earthquake that hit the country in January 2010. This is an effort that needs commendation, acknowledgement and encouragement.

As a member of IFAD, Botswana wishes to reaffirm her continued support to the organisation to advance its mandate of financing agricultural development projects in developing countries. In this regard Botswana has deposited  her first instalment of USD 50,000 towards the pledged contribution of US Dollars 150,000 to IFAD’s Eighth Replenishment.

In her efforts to create synergies in the agricultural sector, Botswana is in the process of signing up a loan amounting to USD 4.04 million and a grant of USD 1.6 million with IFAD for financing of Agricultural Services Support. The project will go a long way in addressing poverty reduction objectives as well as supporting the national food security agenda.

Botswana takes note of the Draft Resolutions on the Extension of the appropriation of the Emoluments of the President,  Establishment of the Consultation on the Ninth Replenishment of IFAD’s Resources, Revision of the lending Policies and Criteria, to mention but a few, presented before the Governing Council, and acknowledges and supports efforts engaged in consolidating the work.

I however, wish to encourage IFAD to strive to sustain its key role as one of the international coordinators in global food security issues. The phenomenon of climate change as a global threat needs  serious attention to mitigate and avert its negative impact, especially on smallholder farmers.

I reaffirm Botswana’s unwavering support to IFAD’s mission and wish you a successful session.

Thank you for your attention

19 February 2011