This statement is made on behalf of the Nordic countries Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden and my own country, Norway.

We are pleased to congratulate both you, Mr President, and your staff on the results of the Ninth Replenishment of IFAD’s Resources. A target of US$1.5 billion is an impressive achievement in these challenging economic times.

The successful replenishment level demonstrates that IFAD’s target group, the rural poor, are not only perceived as victims, but also as key actors when it comes to solving major global challenges such as climate change, food insecurity and widespread poverty. It also confirms that IFAD is seen as successful in delivering results on the ground.

We welcome that a number of developing countries who had not participated in previous replenishments announced contributions for IFAD9. While others increased their contributions, the demand for IFADs resources is enormous. It is important that IFAD continues to focus on its comparative strengths and works to ensure successful scaling-up of its projects through extensive partnerships. It is also key that IFAD uses its resources as efficiently as possible. In this regard we look forward to the on-going evaluation on efficiency and encourage IFAD to continue actions to strengthen its efficiency including human resources management.

Furthermore, IFAD should seek to mobilize additional resources more broadly. On this line, we attach importance to the Working Group on lending terms and conditions – and wish to underline that taking IFAD's specificity into consideration when revising the lending terms for blend countries, should not lead to a deviation from current IDA/IBRD terms.

The increase in financial resources and an expanded “country presence” require an even stronger and more competent human resource management. There is a need for stability in the senior management positions and recruitment must all be done with a long term perspective. A culture of transparency with all IFAD`s stakeholders, not least its membership, must be maintained in the organization. The practice of openness must continue in the preparations for next year's election of IFAD's President.

It is also necessary to continue the efforts to fully mainstream gender equality and women’s empowerment within IFAD, as well as in its operations.  IFAD’s future Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Policy must be comprehensive, operational and budgeted, and we expect sufficient core resources to be allocated to its implementation.

IFAD continues to have a crucial role when it comes to serving the interests of marginalized smallholder farmers and particularly female farmers. We believe that IFAD has a considerable role in promoting smallholder integration in markets and value-chains. This could help to generate the multiple benefits needed to address the various demands placed on agriculture. IFAD’s strengthened engagement with the private sector and cooperation with other partners is important to improve food security and achieve climate change goals.

IFAD should continue to enable farmers and their organisations to adapt to, and mitigate the impact of climate change through practices that improve the resilience of farming systems and improve food security.

Rio + 20 will provide guidance on sustainable development goals and we encourage IFAD, together with the other Rome based agencies, to be active in relation to food and nutrition security and smallholder agriculture. There must be concrete deliverables in Rio, Rome should actively contribute to these.

Thank you.

22 February 2012