1984 - The initiative of 82 Nobel Prize laureates bears fruit in IFAD

Based on a manifesto signed by 82 Nobel Prize laureates, the Parliament of Belgium authorizes the establishment of the Belgian Survival Fund (BSF) with resources of 10 billion Belgian francs (October 1983). To operationalize this Fund, IFAD’s proposal for the establishment of an IFAD/WHO/UNICEF/UNDP joint programme is welcomed by the Government of Belgium. Concentrating its efforts on the Horn of Africa, the Belgian Survival Fund Joint Programme (BSF.JP) begins operations in 1984 with its first project in Kenya. Today, the programme has a portfolio of 27 projects in 13 countries of sub-Saharan Africa. Close to USD 180 million of the BSF’s resources have been allocated for disbursement through IFAD.

October 1984

President François Mitterand addressing the Governing Council of IFAD convened in Paris. (This is the only time the Governing Council of IFAD is held outside Rome).