MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
AusAID
Australia will look to expand its efforts to help the world's most vulnerable fight hunger as it seeks to re-join the United Nations' International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
IFAD is dedicated to eradicating rural poverty in developing countries. Seventy-five per cent of the world's poorest people–1.4 billion men, women and children–live in rural areas and depend on agriculture and related activities for their livelihoods.
Australia has been at the forefront of global efforts to improve food security. It is integral to our efforts to support sustainable economic development, itself one of the aid program's five strategic goals.
Australia's decision to re-join IFAD, subject to normal treaty processes, has been prompted by recent reform efforts. IFAD is now considered by donors and developing countries to be an increasingly effective partner.
This was confirmed by a 2011 AusAID review which recognised IFAD's work with smallholder farmers, themselves disproportionately represented among the world's most vulnerable.
IFAD initiatives support more than 36 million poor people around the world to secure food supplies by increasing productivity, access to markets and gaining microfinance.
Calls for public submissions on the proposal for Australia to re-join IFAD were advertised nationally on 4 and 25 February.
Further details can be found on AusAID's website: www.ausaid.gov.au/ifad
Submissions will form part of a National Interest Assessment which will be considered by the Federal Parliament's Joint Standing Committee on Treaties. The closing date for submissions is 4 March 2012.
Media contact: AusAID Media, 0417 680 590