Mr. President,
Members of the Governing Council;
Excellencies;
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

          It is truly a special privilege for me, and my Government to address this thirty-sixth session of the Governing Council, at which our country, the Republic of Vanuatu, is attending for the first time, after depositing the Instrument of Accession as a non-original member of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in 2012.

Mr. President, despite our unique challenges as a Least Developed Country, I salute your leadership and thank the Governing Council for your approval of Vanuatu as a non-original member of IFAD.

Mr. President, this session is of unique importance to Vanuatu, as the Governing Council has chosen one of the fundamental values that drives small island states and indigenous communities as its overarching theme: “The Power of Partnerships: Forging alliances for sustainable smallholder agriculture”. This directly addresses the livelihood of eighty per cent of our population, who have depended on sustainable agriculture for centuries, and are now being challenged by climate change.

Mr. President, my government appreciates the opportunity to be part of this international dialogue on partnership. Only through the power of partnerships, can world governments find solutions for the fate of 8- million people, who have become victims of 20th century development models.

May I take this opportunity Mr. President, to congratulate you in bringing the worlds’ diverse communities together under the banner of ‘partnership’. This is the way forward for practical inclusion of all sectors: civil societies, local authorities, states, private sector and international agencies.

Mr. President, I thank you for your attention.