President, excellencies and partners!
It is an honor for me to address the Governing Council today, after these two giants when it comes to eradicating hunger and poverty. Having heard your intervenions I must say it is impressive how so many people in China have been lifted out of poverty in a short period of time. And Brazil has with remarkable political determination in only a few years managed to lift millions out of food insecurity through targeted policies.
Much inspiration and knowledge can be drawn from these achievements, and we welcome the leadership you have taken to make global progress for increasing food security, including through South-South Triangular Cooperation.
Ladies and gentlemen, friends,
We all know that food is all people’s most essential need. Food is the basis for our health. Our ability to learn. Our welfare.
Hunger has been increasing significantly over the last decade. We have a responsibility in turning that negative trend.
Food security is a right for all people.
Investment in agriculture is probably by far the most efficient way to create new jobs, fight poverty and eradicate hunger in rural areas in the least developed countries.
For Norway, IFAD is a key partner in this endeavor. Climate-robust small-scale food production, local food value chains and markets is key to reach sustainable dev goal 1 and 2. This is an area where IFAD has a comparative advantage.
Evidence from IFAD’s impact assessments over the past decade tells a powerful story: IFAD’s investments are improving livelihoods. One area that stands out is climate adaptation, that has become an even more integrated part of IFADs programs than foreseen before IFAD13. Climate adaptation is also in high demand.
We meet during the International Year of the Woman Farmer, and we know that investing in women delivers strong results. It is essential that IFAD continues investing in gender equality. The session yesterday also reminded us of the transformative potential of investing in youth.
Collegues, food is a question of security. Developing countries can and must achieve a higher degree of national self-sufficiency. Imports should be replaced by local production of food where possible. This to reduce vulnerability, increase opportunities as well as strengthen national and global security.
With respect to the next replenishment IFAD14 we therefore believe it is crucial that it emphasizes that poverty reduction in rural areas will strengthen stability, contribute to peaceful communities and reduce forced migration. That this is in the interest of everyone.
More than ever, we need to leverage scarce development resources to more effectively try to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
IFADs financial architecture and business models leverages resources and co-investments from partners. From public, regional and multilateral banks. From the private sector. From climate funds. And through incentivizing domestic resource mobilization in developing countries.
Building and drawing on these partnerships is of fundamental importance to achieve food security for all.
We are also at a point in time when UN reform is crucial for the UN to remain strong. We expect that IFAD engages in the UN 80.
Friends and colleagues, we must all work together, and with our valued partner IFAD, we will make faster and better progress. Norway remains committed.
Thank you.