Chair,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Governors,
Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen.

Kam na bane ni Mauri.

I bring you warm greetings from the President, the Government and people of Kiribati on whose behalf I am privileged to participate in the 36th session of IFAD’s Governing Council meeting.

Chair,  let me at the outset convey my sincere congratulations to Dr. Kanayo Nwanze, for his re-election as President of IFAD for the second term.  Your re-election Mr. President is reflective of your efficient and effective leadership, and the confidence of the IFAD family that you will be able to lead the way into a brighter future during the course of the next 4 years. 

Chair, I wish to express the profound support of my Government to IFAD and its Governing Council.  In particular, let me underscore our support to this year’s focus on building partnerships to reduce poverty and ensure food security in rural communities. For small and vulnerable countries like Kiribati, the effort by the Council to address issues of poverty and food security is most strategic and appropriate.  In this connection, Kiribati expresses its appreciation to the recent fact-finding mission undertaken by IFAD late last year, and stands ready to continue work closely with IFAD in developing appropriate plans of intervention in the rural outer islands of Kiribati.

Chair, I wish to point out that it is by no coincidence that my Government has very recently shifted its attention to building the resilience of its people against the adverse impact of climate change and global economic recession.  The effects of these overpowering global phenomena are experienced on a daily basis in various forms affecting the social, economic and environmental aspects of our lives. Among others, poverty alleviation has been identified by my Government as a top priority concern, which is to be addressed through specific agricultural projects implemented at various levels nationwide. 

Chair, Kiribati has been very fortunate to be the recipient of technical and financial support from IFAD over the past years. Under this support, the Agricultural Centre of Excellence was established in 2008, and the MORDI program was undertaken in 2010.  From 2013 onwards, Kiribati looks forward to working closely with IFAD in reducing poverty through partnerships with donors, local communities, the private sector and rural household farmers. 

Last but not the least, Kiribati wishes to pay tribute to the people and Government of Italy, and to IFAD’s hard-working staff, for their warm welcome and excellent support which they have extended to me and my delegation since our arrival in Rome last Sunday.

I thank you Chair.