Qatar Takes Part in 35th session of IFAD's Governing Council

Doha, February 23 (QNA) - The State of Qatar has participated in the 35th session of the International Fund for Agricultural Development's (IFAD) Governing Council which concluded in the Rome-based seat earlier Thursday. HE Minister of Environment Abdullah Bin Mubarak Bin A'aboud Al-Mahdadi who is also Qatar's Governor to the IFAD's Governing Council led his country's delegation to the session. Over two-day conference held under the theme, ‘Sustainable smallholder agriculture: Feeding the World, protecting the planet", the world leaders, prominent movers and shakers, policymakers, academics and, most importantly, farmer representatives , discussed a host of topics relating to the IFAD's programme , 2012 budget and the financial regulations’ review . They also discussed the smallholder sustainable farmers, the world food and best means to protect the earth planet and the importance of moving towards sustainable farming practices that take into account the local ecosystems, which are gaining momentum in the international discussion forums where Agriculture has strongly emerged during the period leading up to the United Nations Conference on Climate Change which was held recently in Durban ,South Africa. Agriculture would also be a main topic for discussion at the UN Sustainable Development Conference slated for next June. Discuss preparations for the UN Sustainable Development Conference (Rio+20), which will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, next June. The heads of the UN General Assembly and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) had met in Paris to discuss preparations for the UN Sustainable Development Conference. The discussions between Assembly President Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser and UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova took place in Paris, late last month a day before a conference entitled "Towards new global governance for the environment," which was organized by France and in which Al-Nasser will deliver the keynote speech. The Thirty-fifth Session of IFAD s Governing Council provides a forum for Member States, partners and the public to discuss and debate what needs to be done to enable smallholder farmers to contribute to raising food availability by 70% by 2050, which is what will be required to feed a growing, more urbanized population. It was chosen in support of the upcoming Rio plus 20 conferences, and reflects the impact of environmental degradation on agriculture and smallholder farmers, which climate change is magnifying at an alarming rate. Means of expanding IFAS partnerships with the private sector, making smallholder farmers more visible business partners in their efforts to feed the world , were also taken up in addition to expand IFAD presence in fragile states and the remote areas of developing countries where IFAD has always worked. Agriculture and rural development is essential for lasting food and nutrition security. It is a pathway to employment, wealth creation and economic growth. It is the basis for social cohesion, gender empowerment and equality. It is the foundation for global peace and security, said the conference statement. (QNA)