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| IFAD President, Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo |
“I
have come from the rural world. I have first-hand knowledge of the
harshness of this kind of life,” said Houngbo, who was appointed by
IFAD’s member states at the organization’s annual Governing Council
meeting.
Houngbo
takes up the helm at a time when changing government priorities and the
more immediate needs of humanitarian crises – like natural disasters,
conflict and refugees – threaten to divert funding away from long-term
development.
With
growing global demand for food, increased migration to cities and the
impact of climate change, investments in agriculture and rural
development will be essential to achieve the Sustainable Development
Goals of ending poverty and hunger.
