Statement of Mr. Kanok Khatikarn
Inspector-General, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives
Acting Governor of Thailand to IFAD

Mr. Chairman,
Mr. President,
Distinguished Governors,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is an honor for me to be here on behalf of the Governor of Thailand, Mr. Banphot Hongthong, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, and to represent the Royal Thai Government at the twenty-eighth session of the IFAD Governing Council.

First of all, I would like to congratulate and to express the appreciation of the Thai Government for IFAD's good achievements during last year.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Government of Thailand is firmly committed to the Millennium Development Goals targets and continues to work for the establishment of political and social conditions that may enable the poor to overcome their poverty.

Time is running fast however, and it is only 10 years from now that we together have committed to halve the current number of poverty. We strongly believe that IFAD will continue being a part of the strong force in fighting against the poverty and assists developing countries to reach the Millennium Development Goals.

Thank you.