Governors,
Mr. President,
Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is an honour and a pleasure for me to attend and address the 36th Session of the Governing Council of IFAD on behalf of Austria.

Mr President, I want to start by congratulating you on your re-election and four more years at the helm of the IFAD.

You have done a great job over the past years. Since the food crisis of 2008/2009, the Fund’s visibility has been enhanced. Today, more than ever, IFAD is recognized as an eminent institution on agricultural development and food security matters.

IFAD has increased its outreach thanks to a modified institutional structure that allows better interaction with its clients. Thanks to a broader field presence, IFAD has moved closer to its recipient counties. This should enable the Fund to better supervise its projects and programmes and to intensify its dialogue with the host governments and other stakeholders.

The overhauling of the Institution is still going on and we are confident that it will become more efficient and effective.

Looking ahead to the challenges IFAD will be confronted with in the coming years, one realizes that poverty and hunger did not go away and that IFAD’s mission is as valid as ever. Poverty reduction and increase of food production are the Fund’s core objectives and they must be pursued with great dedication.

To this end, the ninth Replenishment exercise agreed on four major commitments which the Fund must transform into reality in order to increase its impact.

The Fund must continue to enhance its Operational effectiveness. This means putting stronger emphasis on scaling up of successful operations, engaging with the private sector in value chain activities and fostering gender equality.

Climate smart projects should be standard practice.

IFAD must deepen its political dialogue in cooperation with other development partners  and  local governments on the creation of more conducive political frameworks. Seed grows best in fertile soil.    
The Fund must continue to improve its institutional effectiveness and efficiency by applying advanced management techniques.

Financial management and capacity must adapt to a changing financial environment and explore new forms of internal and external resource mobilization.

The Fund must apply strict results management as a driving force to deliver stronger and broader development impact. Strong results and impact are simply the most important arguments in convincing donors and justifying their contributions.

Mr President, the Ninth Replenishment became effective just recently. It forms a sound financial basis for the coming three years. The Institution must use it to the benefit of its developing members most effectively and efficiently in addressing rural poverty, raising smallholder agricultural productivity and boosting rural economic growth.

We wish to welcome Nauru, Tuvalu and Vanuatu as new members of the Institution.

In conclusion, my thanks also go to the excellent staff of the Fund for its professional work and proven dedication.