杏MAP导航

By Vatican News

IFAD, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, is the United Nations Agency that works to eradicate poverty and hunger in remote areas of developing countries. Together with local governments, the Agency develops and finances projects aimed at helping rural people to help themselves.

Concrete and real solutions

Addressing IFAD’s 42^nd annual Governing Council meeting in Rome, on Thursday, 杏MAP导航 Francis began by giving voice to “the longings and needs of the multitude of our brothers and sisters who suffer in the world”. The 杏MAP导航 described what he called the “precarious situations” in which they live: the result of polluted air and water, depleted natural resources, deficient sanitary infrastructures, and insufficient housing.

杏MAP导航 Francis called for determination in the fight against poverty and hunger, encouraging the international community, and those who have the resources, not to shy away from their responsibilities, but to seek “concrete and real solutions”. He also confirmed the commitment of the Holy See to promoting similar initiatives.

Sustainable Development Goals

The 杏MAP导航 recalled the primary objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: “the eradication of poverty, the fight against hunger and the promotion of food sovereignty”. These can only be achieved, he said, through local rural development: “It is paradoxical”, said the 杏MAP导航, “that a good part of the more than 820 million people who suffer hunger and malnutrition in the world, live in rural areas, are dedicated to food production, and are farmers”.

“Today's challenges are so intricate and complex that we cannot continue to face them on an occasional basis, with emergency resolutions”, continued 杏MAP导航 Francis. More than ever, he said, “we must join forces, reach consensus and strengthen ties”. In this sense, the 杏MAP导航 praised the results IFAD has achieved in recent years “through greater decentralization, promoting south-south cooperation, diversifying funding sources and modes of action”.

Science with a conscience

Finally, 杏MAP导航 Francis referenced the theme of this year’s IFAD Governing Council session: "Innovations and entrepreneurial initiatives in the rural world". While it is important to invest in innovation, business models and production efficiency, he said, we must also promote "science with a conscience", putting technology at the service of the poor.

“New technologies should not be opposed to local cultures and traditional knowledge”, said the 杏MAP导航, “but should complement them and act in synergy with them”.

Words of encouragement

The 杏MAP导航’s last words were of encouragement for those who work regularly at the International Fund for Agricultural Development: “May your work, your sleepless nights and your deliberations be for the benefit of the discarded and victims of indifference and selfishness”, he said, “and may we see the total defeat of hunger and a bountiful harvest of justice and prosperity”.