International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) - Twelfth Replenishment and reappointment of Mr Gilbert Houngbo as President (16-18 February 2021)

On 16 February, the final consultation for the 12th Replenishment of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) was held, followed on 17 and 18 February by the 44th session of the Governing Council, which brings together annually the 177 Member States of the Fund.

France welcomes the conclusion of discussions on the 12th Replenishment of the Fund’s resources (IFAD12) and the adoption of the corresponding programme of work for the 2022-2024 period. In particular, it commends the decision to allocate all of IFAD’s core resources to low-income countries (LICs) and lower middle-income countries (LMICs), and the decisions to allocate to Africa at least 55% of the loans and grants programme, of which 50% will go to sub-Saharan African countries. It also sees as highly positive the commitment to dedicate at least 40% of financing to projects focusing on climate change. Consequently, in line with the announcement made by the President of the French Republic at the One Planet Summit on 11 January 2021, France has decided to increase its contribution to IFAD’s core resources to 50% for the 2022-2024 period (IFAD 12), bringing it to 106 million dollars. It encourages all Member States of the Fund to contribute ambitiously to this Replenishment.

Furthermore, France congratulates Mr Gilbert Houngbo on his reappointment at the 44th session of the Governing Council for a second four-year term as President of IFAD. Gilbert Houngbo’s candidacy for reappointment received the support of the European Union and its Member States, including France. This collective European support demonstrates the commitment of the EU and its Member States to IFAD’s mandate and action, as well as to the personal action of Gilbert Houngbo at the head of this organization.