President of IFAD,
Heads of other institutions
IFAD Governors
Distinguished delegates and guests,

It is indeed a great honor and pleasure for me to address the thirty-fourth session of the Governing Council of the International Fund for Agriculture Development.  I bring you all warm wishes from the Maldives and let me express on behalf of my delegation, our deepest gratitude to the President of IFAD , Mr Kanayo Nwanze and his team for the excellent arrangements for this meeting. 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The new democratic government of Maldives strategic action plan focus on strengthening national economy through good governance, social justice and economic development. 

The government’s economic policy agenda is grounded on diversification of the economy and increasing the role of private sector. 

Ensuring sustainable development of the fisheries and agriculture remains high in this agenda.  In the Maldives, fisheries and agriculture remains the livelihood option for the rural population which is approximately two thirds of our population.

We aim to develop a productive and a competitive fisheries and agriculture sector from its smallholder base. 

To ensure sustainable development of the fisheries sector, policies are laid to promote export and trade, enhance infrastructure and financial services to support sector development and promote research, training and technical development. 

Our experience in fish harvesting has proved great vulnerability to climate change. Science had confirmed wild populations of fish depend on the environmental processes that govern the young stock, feeding and predation conditions throughout their life cycle.   Hence we are convinced that fish farming and aquaculture is to be explored in the Maldives.  We acquire great potential for strengthening fishery sector by investing into aquaculture and we intend to seek IFAD’s assistance to this intervention. 

For agriculture sector reducing dependence on food imports and improving food security, developing infrastructure and strengthening market driven organized farming through application of modern technology and environmental friendly practices is placed strong in the strategic action plan.   

The Government of Maldives with the assistance of our development partners are keen to make this agenda a reality. 

Mr President the Government of Maldives is extremely thankful for IFAD for its intervention to make our vision a success. 

Madam Chaira and Mr Chairman, 

We undoubtedly acknowledge IFAD’s role in reducing world’s poverty.   In your fight against poverty we are grateful that issues such as climate change, women and youth development are at the center of the agenda. 

Last year we had deliberations to combat climate change and this year you bring to our focus rural women and youth.  Over a third of the Maldivian population comprises of youth therefore, and equal amounts of women is engaged in fishing and agriculture hence, we fully support your interventions.

We believe in your theme for discussions hereafter; “Feeding future generation: young rural people today – prosperous, productive farmers tomorrow”.  It is essential to support young people living in poverty for a better tomorrow.

We certainly believe economic empowerment of rural women is key to develop sustainable agriculture systems around the world.  We need to invest to empower women and improve their entrepreneurial spirit for the future of farming. 

Acknowledging this in 2010 US$ 1.8 million was disbursed under IFAD’s Post Tsunami Fisheries and Agriculture Rehabilitation Project reaching 1248 small holder farmers/fishers out of which 47% was women. This year US$ 3.5 million is expected to be disbursed to target 5000 beneficiaries under the two ongoing IFAD projects again 50% will be for women empowerment. 

Maldivian Government recognizes that an effective institutional mechanism is crucial to achieve successful gender mainstreaming. Our national gender equality policy aims to promote substantive equality through a dual approach:  which is Gender mainstreaming and Empowerment and Advancement in all areas of strategic action.

We are proud to announce that Maldives has initiated a process to establish national machinery for the advancement of women that can inform and influence policy, programs and action in all sectors. 

The new administration of Maldives also recognizes the potential of the Micro, Small and Medium Entrepreneur sector to create a more resilient and diversified economy and to create better lives and livelihood for the rural segments of the population.

Therefore, Mr President let me assure you, Maldives holds hands with IFAD in your endeavor to combat poverty.  I wish us all success. 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

With these words, I reiterate my thanks to IFAD for organizing this important meeting and wish our consolidated resolutions are quickly translated into concrete actions leading to a world without poverty and hunger.

Thank you for your attention.

19 February 2011