About the event

The annual Governing Council is IFAD’s main decision-making body. The forty-sixth session, taking place on 14 and 15 February 2023, will focus on “Accelerating Action for Food Security”.

The world is facing the largest food crisis in modern history as progress on achieving Zero Hunger moves backwards. Currently, more than 1 in 10 people are suffering severe food insecurity and over 3 billion people cannot afford a healthy diet.

Urgent investment in transforming food systems is needed. As the world’s fund for food and agriculture, IFAD plays an innovative and catalytic role in accelerating action for food security by supporting small-scale food producers.

Documents and resources

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Algeria

pdf: English French Spanish Arabic
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Angola

pdf: English French Spanish Arabic
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Austria

pdf: English French Spanish Arabic
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Benelux

pdf: English French Spanish Arabic
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Brazil

pdf: French Spanish Arabic
Video: English
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Burkina Faso

pdf: English French Spanish Arabic
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Cambodia

pdf: English French Spanish Arabic
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Canada

pdf: English French Spanish Arabic
Video: French
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China

pdf: English French Spanish Arabic
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Cuba

pdf: English French Spanish Arabic
Video: Spanish
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Dominican Republic

pdf: English French Spanish Arabic
Video: Spanish
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Egypt

pdf: English French Spanish Arabic
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El Salvador

pdf: English French Spanish Arabic
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Eritrea

pdf: English French Spanish Arabic
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France-Germany (Joint statement)

pdf: English French Spanish Arabic
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The Gambia

pdf: English French Spanish Arabic
Video: English
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India

pdf: English French Spanish Arabic
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Indonesia

pdf: English French Spanish Arabic
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Japan

pdf: English French Spanish Arabic
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Jordan

Video: English
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Kenya

pdf: English French Spanish Arabic
Video: English
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Lesotho

Video: English
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Nicaragua

pdf: English French Spanish Arabic
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Norway

Video: English
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Peru

pdf: English French Spanish Arabic
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Portugal

pdf: English French Spanish Arabic
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Russian Federation

pdf: English French Spanish Arabic
Video: English
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Rwanda

pdf: English French Spanish Arabic
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Saudi Arabia

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South Sudan

pdf: English French Spanish Arabic
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Spain

pdf: English French Spanish Arabic
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Sri Lanka

pdf: English French Spanish Arabic
Video: English
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Sudan

pdf: English Arabic
Video: Arabic
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Syrian Arab Republic

pdf: English French Spanish Arabic
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United States

pdf: English French Spanish Arabic
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Venezuela

Video: Spanish
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Yemen

pdf: English French Spanish Arabic
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Zimbabwe

pdf: English French Spanish Arabic

Main events

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Inaugural ceremony

Tuesday, 14 February 2023, 09.45 (CET)
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Alvaro Lario

President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
Read Bio
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Alvaro Lario

President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
Alvaro Lario is President of IFAD. He has more than 20 years of experience across academia, private sector asset management, World Bank Group and the United Nations, including as Associate Vice-President of Financial Operations at IFAD. President Lario received a PhD in Financial Economics from the Complutense University of Madrid, a Master of Research in Economics at the London Business School and a Master of Finance from Princeton University.
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H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud

President of the Federal Republic of Somalia
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H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud

President of the Federal Republic of Somalia
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Qu Dongyu

Director-General of the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO)
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Qu Dongyu

Director-General of the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO)
Qu Dongyu is Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. He previously served as China’s Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, as well as positions in central and local government, research institutes and at the China Three Gorges Project Development Corporation. He received is PhD in environmental science from Wageningen University in the Netherlands.
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Mia Amor Mottley

Prime Minister of Barbados
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Mia Amor Mottley

Prime Minister of Barbados
Mia Amor Mottley is Prime Minister of Barbados and leader of the Barbados Labour Party. She has chaired a number of committees, and currently serves as Co-Chair of the One Health Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance, Co-Chair of the Sustainable Development Goals Advocates group, and Lead Head of Government within CARICOM.
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David Beasley

Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP)
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David Beasley

Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP)
David Beasley is Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme, and a former Governor of South Carolina. At WFP, Mr. Beasley is mobilizing financial support and public awareness for the global fight against hunger. These efforts were recognized when WFP was awarded the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize. Throughout his career he has worked across political, religious and ethnic lines to champion economic development, humanitarian assistance, education, and intercultural and interfaith cooperation. In 2003, he received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award.
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IFAD’s work in fragility

Tuesday, 14 February 2023 11.00-11.30 (CET)
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Alvaro Lario

President of IFAD
Read Bio
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Alvaro Lario

President of IFAD
Alvaro Lario is President of IFAD. He has more than 20 years of experience across academia, private sector asset management, World Bank Group and the United Nations, including as Associate Vice-President of Financial Operations at IFAD. President Lario received a PhD in Financial Economics from the Complutense University of Madrid, a Master of Research in Economics at the London Business School and a Master of Finance from Princeton University.
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Moderator: Dina Saleh

Regional Director, Near East, North Africa and Europe Division, IFAD
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Moderator: Dina Saleh

Regional Director, Near East, North Africa and Europe Division, IFAD
Dina Saleh is the Regional Director of the Near East, North Africa and Europe Division (NEN) in IFAD. Before that, she was based in Cairo leading the IFAD’s Middle East and North Africa Hub as sub-regional Director. Saleh has over 20 years’ international experience in development projects and programmes around the world. She holds an master’s from the University of London in Development Finance and a bachelor’s in Business Administration from United States International University.
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H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud

President of the Federal Republic of Somalia
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H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud

President of the Federal Republic of Somalia
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IFAD13 launch: Accelerating Action for Food Security

Tuesday, 14 February 2023, 16.30 (CET)
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Alvaro Lario

President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
Read Bio
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Alvaro Lario

President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
Alvaro Lario is President of IFAD. He has more than 20 years of experience across academia, private sector asset management, World Bank Group and the United Nations, including as Associate Vice-President of Financial Operations at IFAD. President Lario received a PhD in Financial Economics from the Complutense University of Madrid, a Master of Research in Economics at the London Business School and a Master of Finance from Princeton University.
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Phouthanouphet Saysombath

Deputy Minister of Finance of Lao’s People Democratic Republic
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Phouthanouphet Saysombath

Deputy Minister of Finance of Lao’s People Democratic Republic
Phouthanouphet Saysombath is Deputy Minister of Finance of Lao’s People Democratic Republic. He previously served as Director General of the Tax Department and the National Treasury, and was Head of the Economics and Finance Division. Saysombath holds a PhD of Management Science from the National University of Laos and a master’s in Economics at The Australian National University.
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Amina J. Mohammed

Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group
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Amina J. Mohammed

Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group
Ms. Amina J. Mohammed is the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group. She previously served as Minister of Environment of the Federal Republic of Nigeria where she steered efforts on climate action and to protect the natural environment. Ms. Mohammed led the process that resulted in global agreement around the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and creation of the SDGs. She has been conferred several honorary doctorates and has served as an adjunct professor, lecturing on international development.
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Sabrina Dhowre Elba

UN Goodwill Ambassador for IFAD
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Sabrina Dhowre Elba

UN Goodwill Ambassador for IFAD
Canadian model and actress Sabrina Dhowre Elba was appointed UN Goodwill Ambassador for IFAD in April 2020. Elba, who is of Somali descent, works with a variety of civil society organizations, including Conservation International, on environmental issues. She is passionate about gender equality and promoting the empowerment of women and girls worldwide.
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Jeanine M. Cooper

Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Liberia
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Jeanine M. Cooper

Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Liberia
Jeanine M. Cooper has served as Liberia’s Minister of Agriculture since 2020. She designed and is implementing a Food Security Master Plan with focus on agro-processing, supporting livelihoods and improving farmers’ access to finance and resources. Cooper previously served as Permanent Representative to the African Union and the Economic Commission for Africa, and was Head of the Liaison Office for UN-OCHA. She graduated from Michigan State University and has an MSc in Managing Rural Change from Imperial College London.
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Her Excellency Ambassador Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi

Minister of Environment and Climate Change of the Federal Republic of Somalia
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Her Excellency Ambassador Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi

Minister of Environment and Climate Change of the Federal Republic of Somalia
Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi is Somalia's Minister of Environment and Climate Change. She spearheaded the inclusion of Somalia to the Great Green Wall for the Sahara and Sahel Initiative and launched Somalia Greening Initiative. She previously served as Ambassador to Pakistan and Iraq, as well as Advisor to the Arab League. Al-Makhzoumi holds an MBA from Anglia Ruskin University and a B.A. from the University of Southampton.
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Yeisully Tapias Arcila

Association of Young Entrepreneurs (ASOJE), Colombia
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Yeisully Tapias Arcila

Association of Young Entrepreneurs (ASOJE), Colombia
Yeisully Tapias Arcila is the founder and director of the Association of Young Entrepreneurs (ASOJE) in Colombia since 2005. Throughout her career as social entrepreneur, she has stepped up efforts to enhance educational and employment opportunities for rural youth. She previously served as the National Representative in the Colombian Network of Rural Youth and advised the non-profit PROCASUR.
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Moderator: Jochen Flasbarth

State Secretary at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development
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Moderator: Jochen Flasbarth

State Secretary at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development
Jochen Flasbarth is State Secretary at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. Previously, he was State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Environment, Protection of Nature and Nuclear Safety and President of the Federal Environment Agency. He studied economics, political science and philosophy in Münster and Bonn graduating with a degree in economics.
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IFAD Talk: Africa’s food insecurity - a paradox to be tackled

Wednesday, 15 February 2023, 12.15 (CET)
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Cristina Duarte

Under-Secretary-General, Special Adviser on Africa to the United Nations Secretary
Read Bio
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Cristina Duarte

Under-Secretary-General, Special Adviser on Africa to the United Nations Secretary
Cristina Duarte is the United Nations Special Adviser on Africa. Her career includes more than 34 years of leadership and strategic management experience in public policy making and in the private sector. Duarte holds a master’s degree in International Management from the American Graduate School of International Management and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Policies, Planning and Development from the Instituto Superior de Economia in Lisbon.
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Moderator: Hélène Papper,

Director, Global Communications and Advocacy Division, IFAD
Read Bio
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Moderator: Hélène Papper,

Director, Global Communications and Advocacy Division, IFAD
Hélène Papper is Director of IFAD’s Global Communications and Advocacy Division. Previously, she was Director of the United Nations Information Centre for Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela. She is a conflict and post-conflict strategist and leader with extensive experience in diplomacy, advocacy and communications. Papper holds a Master of Advanced Studies in Literature and Civilization from the Sorbonne Nouvelle in Paris and two bachelor’s degrees in Broadcast Journalism and Political Science from Syracuse University in New York.
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Side events

Tune in to our 46th Governing Council interactive sessions and side events on 14 and 15 February for discussions featuring distinguished panellists:

Indigenous Peoples’ climate leadership: A holistic perspective to achieve food security and nutrition 
Tuesday, 14 February | 12.15 – 13.30 CET

Private sector finance for small producers’ climate adaptation: can it be done?
Tuesday, 14 February | 15.00 – 16.30 CET

G20 Briefing by India
Wednesday, 15 February | 08.45 – 9.15 CET

Youth and agriculture: Accelerating a Just Transition towards food security 
Wednesday, 15 February | 09.45 – 11.15 CET

Why is financing food systems transformation the latest global challenge?
Wednesday, 15 February | 13.45 – 14.45 CET

Challenges and opportunities in the water-food-energy nexus 
Wednesday, 15 February | 15.00 – 16.30 CET

Latest news

IFAD’s Governing Council endorses Ukraine as its 178th Member State
February 2023 - NEWS

Ukraine was endorsed today as the 178th member state to join IFAD. Ukraine’s membership was endorsed by IFAD’s Governing Council – its highest decision-making authority. IFAD began discussing membership with Ukraine in 2016, and the Governing Council’s endorsement was among the last of the essential steps in the process.

IFAD President calls on government leaders to step up investment in the world’s poorest people
February 2023 - NEWS

It is time for global leaders to accelerate action for food security by stepping up investments in rural communities and the small-scale farmers who produce one-third of the world’s food, said the President of IFAD, Alvaro Lario, in an urgent plea at IFAD’s 46th Governing Council meeting in Rome today.

IFAD substantially strengthens its investments in Somalia to help small-scale producers cope with climate shocks and food insecurity
February 2023 - NEWS

As Somalia continues to experience a historic drought, pushing millions of Somalians into acute food insecurity, Alvaro Lario, President IFAD announced today during IFAD’s 46th session of the Governing Council that it will substantially strengthen its support to Somalia and resume its direct investments after loan arrears resulted in a three-decade long suspension.

Videos

GC46 Videos

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Inaugural Session: Opening Statement by Alvaro Lario, President of IFAD
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Inaugural Session: Statement by Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agricultural Organization
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Inaugural Session: Statement by H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia
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Centre Stage Event: IFAD’s work in fragility
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IFAD13 launch: Accelerating Action for Food Security
View more videos

Media contact

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Susan Beccio


+39 3349533030

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Caroline Chaumont


+39 3496620155

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Alberto Trillo Barca


+39 3665763706

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