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Pope Francis set the tone for the 42nd session of IFAD’s annual Governing Council meeting (14 - 15 February) by saying that hunger can be made a part of the world’s past, but only if all institutions and people work together, and only if these efforts are owned locally and driven by those who are suffering most, as architects of their own development.

An impact fund with an innovative approach for attracting much needed capital to the rural areas of developing countries will be launched today at the annual meeting of Member States of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) ended its 42nd Governing Council meeting today by highlighting the need for more innovative approaches to financing development – particularly in rural areas of developing countries where the majority of the world's poorest people live.

After performing a work by Johann Sebastian Bach, world-renowned violinist and UN Messenger of Peace, Midori, called on Pope Francis and other world leaders in attendance at the United Nation's International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) annual meeting today to believe in the transformative power of women and girls in underserved remote communities.

Today during the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) annual meeting of Member States, award-winning choreographer, dancer and actress Sherrie Silver issued an urgent call-to-action to heads-of-state, government ministers, and development leaders to listen and invest in rural youth.

Pope Francis set the tone for the 42nd session of the annual Governing Council of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) by saying that hunger can be made a part of the world’s past, but only if all institutions and people work together, and only if these efforts are owned locally and driven by those who are suffering most, as architects of their own development.

Pope Francis today highlighted the importance of rural development and the essential role played by the United Nations' International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in achieving the first two Sustainable Development Goals – ending global hunger and poverty.

Leaders attending the 4th Global Meeting of the Indigenous Peoples' Forum, held at the International Fund for Agricultural Development's (IFAD's) headquarters, called on governments to recognise indigenous peoples’ contributions in the fight to reduce the impacts of climate change and encourage sustainable development around the world.

Nearly 235,000 vulnerable households will benefit from a US$101 million project that aims to improve the living conditions and climate resilience of rural populations in five provinces of Burundi.

The EAT-Lancet Commission presents a global planetary health diet that is healthy for both people and planet. Discover the report’s key takeaways and the specific actions that farmers can take to contribute to the Great Food Transformation.

IFAD will be announcing a new official role for celebrity Sherrie Silver - the MTV award-winning choreographer, dancer and actress from Rwanda.

Over 51,000 households in Benin will benefit from a US$104.4 million project that aims to reduce rural poverty through a value chain approach, which can contribute to reducing food imports and improving the competitiveness of small farmers’ products in national and global markets.

Over 50,000 vulnerable rural households in Togo will benefit from a US$35 million project that aims to spur inclusive rural economic growth and create employment opportunities in rural areas through a value chains approach, according to the details of a financing agreement signed today by government of Togo and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Today’s most pressing problems will need cross-sector collaboration and innovation at all scales.

Pope Francis will address the 42nd session of the annual Governing Council meeting of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), where he will be joined by notable speakers, including the President of the Dominican Republic, Danilo Medina Sánchez, H.E. Gerardine Mukeshimana, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Republic of Rwanda and the Prime Minister of Italy, Giuseppe Conte.

Over the years international support for indigenous peoples has grown, also sanctioned by international declarations.

IFAD is pleased to announce the launch of the second call for proposals for projects to be funded by the China-IFAD SSTC Facility.

The fourth global meeting of the Indigenous Peoples' Forum at the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) promotes indigenous peoples' knowledge and innovations for climate resilience and sustainable development.

Eight projects have been approved under the first call for proposals for US$3.6 million. These projects cover a range of issues, from water conservation, rural youth innovations, rural business-to-business linkages to bamboo production.

Gendo Gembela Tsire is a women’s group in Chencha district, Ethiopia who are demonstrating the process of making kocho (to make traditional flatbread) and bula (a flour blend prepared as a porridge) from the enset crop.

"Blue Economy" is the new buzzword in the international sustainable development agenda. But what is it and where does it fit in IFAD's development work?

Pope Francis will address heads-of-state, government ministers, and policy and development leaders during the opening ceremony of the 42nd annual Governing Council meeting of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), 14-15 February 2019 in Rome.

Approximately 40 per cent of the world’s population lives within 100 kilometers of the coast, and overall the world’s coastal population is increasing fast.

IFAD is piloting the use of household methodologies (HHMs) for gender equality and climate change adaptation as a way to accelerate progress towards the economic empowerment of rural women in Rwanda.

World-renowned violinist and United Nations Messenger of Peace, Midori, travelled to Viet Nam to meet with and perform for villagers in a remote and poverty-stricken community to raise awareness of the challenges faced by rural women.

We asked colleagues for their recommended reading on issues relevant to global development from gender to development to finance. If you are looking to read something a little more serious this holiday season, check out our list below.

Over 43,700 vulnerable rural households in Senegal will benefit from a US$72.4 million programme that aims to improve food and nutrition security and incomes of smallholder crop and livestock farmers in four regions of Senegal.

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has signed a financing agreement with the Government of Myanmar to reduce poverty, and improve food security and nutrition for over 390,000 rural people in the northern Magway region and southern Chin state.

Halimé Djimet is leading a collective of women in Chad to produce and market their sesame seed oil successfully.

The European Union has committed €45 million to the establishment of a new impact fund that will boost investments in small rural agribusinesses across emerging markets.

The world-renowned violinist and UN Messenger of Peace, Midori, will travel to rural Viet Nam this week to meet with and perform for villagers in a remote and poverty-stricken community where projects supported by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have been working to improve conditions.

One of the major challenges facing smallholders is getting adequate and cost-efficient protection against price volatility and climate-related impacts on production.

Seven women and men from Ghana, Cameroon, Nigeria and Ivory Coast take part in a one-week learning exchange programme in Brazil focused on climate resilient post-harvest management of cassava.

An international conference in Poland will try to finalise a deal on how to tackle climate change, but delegates from almost 200 countries are yet to agree on how to implement the Paris climate accord reached three years ago.

Delegates from some 200 countries are meeting for two weeks of talks on tackling climate change in Katowice, Poland at an event hosted by the United Nations.

Over 30,800 vulnerable rural households in Uganda will benefit from a US$210.4 million project that aims to sustainably increase rural livelihoods by supporting an efficient oil palm industry that complies with modern environmental and social standards.

Rural development projects financed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have contributed to increase productivity, incomes and food security in Kenya, according to a new report presented today in the capital city of Nairobi.

Traditional rainfall patterns are changing in Chad, making it increasingly difficult for the poorest populations who rely on small farming for subsistence, to successfully plant and harvest their crops.

Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel calls on the international community to increase food production and help create jobs in rural areas to help defeat poverty and hunger.

An innovative solution is improving nutrition in rural areas of Madhya Pradesh, India, where 42% of children suffer from malnutrition.

The Independent Office of Evaluation of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Government of Kenya are holding a one-day workshop to present the results of an independent evaluation of IFAD's country strategy and programme in Kenya.

In his first visit to Zimbabwe since taking office as President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Gilbert F. Houngbo will meet President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa and other government officials to discuss investments to improve food and nutrition security, provide employment opportunities for rural youth, and reduce poverty.

Donal Brown, IFAD Associate Vice-President, Programme Management Department, will meet with government officials during a four-day visit to Egypt that is centred on IFAD investments to galvanize rural development and transform marginalized areas.

Against the backdrop of rising global hunger, Pope Francis will join world leaders at the opening ceremony of the Forty-Second session of the Governing Council of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), a United Nations agency, on 14 February 2019.

A six-day side event series at COP24, identifying actions to transform global food systems to deliver on food security, adaptation to climate change, and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions.

Cornelia Richter, Vice-President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), begins a four-day visit to Bolivia today to meet with government officials and development partners to discuss ways to strengthen alliances and have a greater impact on the lives of rural poor people in the country.

Development projects financed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have contributed to increased agricultural productivity and food security levels in Burkina Faso, according to results from an independent evaluation presented today.

A new project targeting 57,000 of Burkina Faso’s most vulnerable smallholder farmer households will be launched 23 November in Ouagadougou, and will help toward improving food security and incomes in the Boucle du Mouhoun, Cascades and Hauts Bassins Regions.

Agencias de las Naciones Unidas con sede en Roma presentaron durante la Semana de la Alimentación y la Agricultura, en Buenos Aires, un informe de su trabajo conjunto

As part of the FARM project, local facilities called Knowledge Centres are being established at the community level in several villages in Myanmar.