UN rural development arm partners with Spain to empower the poor
The United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) announced today that it has entered into a
six-year partnership with Spain to combat rural poverty in developing countries by empowering the poor to better their
circumstances.
"IFAD shares many development priorities with Spain," said the Fund's president, Lennart Båge. "By strengthening our
relationship, we will be able to work even more effectively together to empower poor rural people to overcome poverty."
Mr. Båge signed an agreement in Rome with Luis Calvo Merino, Spain's Ambassador to Italy.
Both IFAD and Spain are committed to good governance, public participation and strengthening local community and small
farmers' organization, as well as boosting rural finance systems and small rural enterprises, the Fund said in a news
release. The partners are also dedicated to combating desertification and land degradation, and to achieving gender
equity and the rights of indigenous peoples.
ENDS