A selective chronology

1974
World Food Conference
IFAD is conceived as a new fund to mobilize resources to increase agricultural production in developing countries.

1976
Agreement Establishing IFAD
The United Nations Conference of Plenipotentiaries adopts the Agreement Establishing IFAD.

1977
IFAD starts operations
The IFAD Governing Council holds its first session. The first President and the Executive Board are elected.

1978
First loan commitments
The first 10 project proposals are approved by the Executive Board.

1978
The Thirteenth United Nations specialized agency
IFAD becomes a United Nations specialized agency, and the relationship agreement between the UN and IFAD is signed.

1982
Permanent headquarters
Rome is chosen as the permanent headquarters of IFAD by the Governing Council.

1984
Belgian Survival Fund Joint Programme (BSF.JP)
An agreement is signed with the Belgian Government and IFAD is given responsibility for coordinating the Belgian Survival Fund Joint Programme.

1986
Special Programme for sub-Saharan Africa
A target of US$300 million is set by the Governing Council for the Special Programme for sub-Saharan African Countries Affected by Drought and Desertification.

1992
Summit on the Economic Advancement of Rural Women
Queen Fabiola of Belgium extends her patronage to this summit held in Geneva. The wives of 64 heads of state attend.

1992
The State of World Rural Poverty
A comprehensive review of the economic conditions of and prospects for the world’s poor rural people is launched in Helsinki, Islamabad, London, New York and Washington.

1995
Conference on Hunger and Poverty
The Popular Coalition to Eradicate Hunger and Poverty is founded as a global alliance of civil society, intergovernmental and governmental organizations.

1997
Global Mechanism
IFAD is selected to house the Global Mechanism by the First Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.

2001
Rural Poverty Report
The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, launches the report in New York. One of its main arguments is that poverty-reduction policies must focus on rural areas.

2005
Farmers' Forum
The Farmers' Forum is a bottom-up process of consultation and dialogue between small farmers' and rural producers' organizations, IFAD and governments, focused on rural development and poverty reduction. 

2006
Action Plan
IFAD implements an Action Plan to improve its development effectiveness.

New Strategic Framework
A new strategic framework is approved to guide IFAD’s work during the period 2007-2010. Its goal is that poor rural women and men in developing countries are empowered to achieve higher incomes and improved food security.