Established in 1977, IFAD currently has 177 member countries, including Germany as one of its founding members.

As the second-largest multilateral donor in agriculture and food security, IFAD has a unique capability to mobilize resources from capital markets, with current borrowings of around $1 billion.

The organization operates in 92 countries, supporting approximately 79 million people, with a particular focus on the African continent, where about 55% of funding for 2022–2024 is directed.

Objectives and Goals

IFAD’s core themes encompass agriculture, climate change, food security, gender equality, and rural job creation. The organization aims to:

• Promote smallholder agriculture: Strengthening the production capacities of small farmers.
• Support rural development: Enhancing living conditions in rural areas.
• Ensure food security and combat poverty: Contributing to sustainable improvements in nutrition and addressing poverty in rural regions.

Additionally, IFAD is committed to addressing the root causes of displacement and advocates for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in relation to poverty alleviation (SDG 1) and hunger eradication (SDG 2).

Funding

IFAD’s funding primarily comes from voluntary contributions made by member states, which are pledged for a three-year period. Currently, the 12th replenishment period (IFAD12) runs until the end of 2024, with approximately $1.28 billion pledged by 116 donors.

For the upcoming replenishment round (IFAD13), over $1.38 billion has already been secured, with further commitments expected.

Institutional Structure

IFAD has two main governing bodies:

• Governing Council: This highest decision-making body meets annually and includes representatives from all member countries, where crucial decisions, such as the election of the IFAD President, are made.
• Executive Board: Responsible for overseeing daily operations and approving strategies and programs, the Executive Board meets three times a year and consists of 18 Executive Directors and their representatives.

IFAD and Germany

Germany is a significant contributor to IFAD, with a core contribution of around €89 million in the current replenishment period. It also supports programs focused on gender equality, youth employment, and climate protection.

In July 2016, a strategic partnership was established between the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and IFAD to promote joint investments and development strategies for rural areas.

Germany further engages through temporary personnel assignments and supports initiatives to strengthen land rights.

as of November 2024

IFAD President
Alvaro Lario (Spain), since September 2022

IFAD
International Fund for Agricultural Development
Via Paolo di Dono, 44
00142 - Rome, Italy
Internet: https://www.ifad.org/en/