Thank you Chair.

I take the floor primarily to welcome three fellow Pacific Island nations as new members of IFAD.

But let me start by adding New Zealand’s voice to those who have already spoken in warmly congratulating you on your re-appointment as President of this noble organization for another four year term.  This is richly deserved.  In particular,  we fully endorse the comments made by the Convenors of List A. Under your stewardship, IFAD has regained its momentum and international credibility. We encourage you to continue your efforts to reinvigorate the organization; focusing on its comparative advantages; streamlining human resources and financial management; improving auditing capability and transparency; addressing gender inequality; ensuring greater coordination with other international agencies in and outside Rome; and making the organization more accountable and outcomes oriented.

Chair, New Zealand values its collaboration with IFAD in the implementation of its programmes in the Pacific, in support of partner country development priorities.  Against this background,  we are pleased today to welcome three fellow Pacific Island nations – Nauru, Tuvalu and Vanuatu – as new members of IFAD.  To each representative, I respectfully say “Ekamawir Omo!”, “Ulufale mai!” and “Welkam long IFAD!”  With the entry of these three countries, the number of Pacific Island nations in IFAD increases to 12 reinforcing the need for IFAD to continue its efforts in finding pragmatic ways to assist in eradicating poverty and hunger in rural areas of small island developing countries, not only in the Pacific, but globally.

Thank you Chair