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

It is my honor to participate in the thirty-fifth IFAD Governing Council.
The number of undernourished people is estimated to be over 900 million and food prices remain volatile.  Although there have been various kinds of progress, the achievement of the MDGs is in jeopardy, and the world witnessed a severe famine in the horn of Africa.  Food security is a crucial and urgent issue as well as a medium- and longer-term challenge.

Under these circumstances, beyond the G8 framework, G20 held the first Meeting of Agriculture Ministers last year.  The meeting addressed the need to support smallholder farmers and clearly expressed the expectation of successful replenishment of IFAD in Cannes Declaration.  Thus, IFAD should meet international expectations, which is becoming higher and higher, as the unique UN organization in charge of agricultural and rural development for smallholder farmers.

At the same time, IFAD should continue making every effort on the ground to reduce poverty and hunger.  Moreover, the Government of Japan believes that IFAD should play a constructive role in international discussions related to Rio+20 and the post-2015 global development agenda.

In the 9th replenishment, Japan has pledged to increase its contribution to IFAD by 25% compared to the 8th replenishment.  This is a clear manifestation that Japan appreciates the role of IFAD and expects its further contribution to the international society.  I would like to express our wish to continue to strengthen the partnership between Japan and IFAD.  We also wish to make further contribution towards the achievement of the MDGs by ensuring collaboration between Japan’s bilateral assistance and multilateral assistance through IFAD including the promotion of Coalition for African Rice Development Initiative and South-South cooperation.

Finally Japan attaches importance to assistance in Africa where the progress towards achieving MDGs is in delay and smallholder farmers need further assistance. Japan will host TICAD V in Yokohama, from June 1 to 3, 2013.  In TICAD process, agricultural and rural development is considered as one of the major components of economic activities in Africa.  Japan aims to make this Conference an opportunity to launch new directions for the development of Africa, reflecting recent drastic changes around this continent. I would like to ask for your positive cooperation for the success of TICAD V.

Thank you very much. 

23 February 2012