The second Global Bamboo and Rattan Congress 2022 (BARC 2022)

It is an honour to speak at the opening ceremony of the second Global Bamboo and Rattan Congress.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization for the invitation and also extend my warm congratulations on its 25th Anniversary.

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (or IFAD) and INBAR enjoy a strong and long-standing partnership. Working together, we have been able to unlock the potential of bamboo to reduce poverty and safeguard the environment.  

IFAD is both an International Financial Institution and a specialized agency of the United Nations with a strong credential as an assembler of development finance. Our work and investments of nearly 45 years, have been in inclusive rural development geared towards achieving sustainable food systems and resilient rural communities. IFAD-financed programmes and projects span 4 continents and almost 100 developing countries.

Partners, including INBAR, play a critical role in the work we do. Since the official launch of INBAR in 1997, IFAD has provided grants to support its activities. These have led to the creation of new enterprises and local cooperatives that generate income from bamboo. We have improved the livelihoods of millions of people – generating employment opportunities for women and young people, improving food security, and restoring degraded lands in countries such as India, Ethiopia and Ecuador. 

The strength of our partnership rests on the values we hold in common and our commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals – especially to end poverty, address climate change, and protect ecosystems.

The theme of BARC 2022 is ‘Bamboo and Rattan - Nature-based Solutions for Sustainable Development’ is appropriate at time like this. We recognize that bamboo and rattan have great potential to provide nature-based solutions for food security and sustainable development.

Over the years, IFAD has incorporated Nature-Based Solutions into projects such as in the case of a large-scale restoration of the mangroves in the Saloum Delta in Senegal which led to a booming oyster production venture and planting of shade trees in diversified croplands as part of promoting practices that facilitate adaptation to climate change in Nicaragua. We have seen how these contribute to long-term development outcomes, and resilient livelihoods for smallholder farmers. Bamboo and rattan can play a big role in this.

Everyone stands to benefit from strong and resilient rural economies that offer a range of opportunities for rural people – especially women and the youth. When there is a sustainable flow of goods, services, and financial resources between rural and urban areas, the positive impact reaches far and wide.

Therefore, my commitment as President of IFAD is to continue to champion the cause of the marginalized through creation of descent and rewarding jobs, place climate issues at the fore-front of our work, strengthen private sector partnerships and will remain laser-focused on our mission to transform rural economies. 

We look forward to further strengthening the partnership for rural transformation with INBAR using various means, including SSTC, to facilitate sharing and exchanging knowledge in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.  

I wish you a very successful Congress and look forward to continuing our strong collaboration in the years to come.