IIAFD, Spain sign pact to jointly combat rural poverty

from the Hindu

New York (PTI): International Fund for Agricultural Development (IAFD) and Spain have signed a six-year agreement to work jointly to combat rural poverty in the developing countries.

The two share the understanding that the best way to eliminate poverty is to empower the poor by expanding their rights, opportunities and abilities so that they can find their own way of development, both the sides said after signing the agreement.

The agreement was signed by Lennart Bage, President of IFAD, and Spain's Ambassador to Rome Luis Calvo Merino.
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"IFAD shares many development priorities with Spain," said Bage.

"By strengthening our relationship, we will be able to work even more effectively together to empower poor rural people to overcome poverty," Bage said.

IFAD and Spain will meet every two years to ensure their work remains focused on their shared development goals, as outlined in IFAD's Strategic Framework and Spain's Master Plan for Development Cooperation.

The partners said they are committed to good governance, public participation and strengthening local community and small farmers' organisations and developing and promoting rural finance systems and small rural enterprises.

They will also work for combating desertification and land degradation as also gender equity and the rights of indigenous peoples.

Spain, which has long been a leader in development efforts in Latin America, has recently expanded its geographic focus to include Northern and Western Africa, where IFAD also funds programmes and projects.