In #Fiji, frequent tropical cyclones can cause annual losses equivalent to 5% of GDP. With funding and support from committed governments such as #Canada, IFAD has partnered for more than 15 years with Fiji and its rural communities to grow more resilient crops, build storage that protects harvests, and strengthen links to markets and to the country’s tourism industry. Learn more about IFAD investments in the Pacific Islands at ifad.org/en/w/publications/i… @CanadaDev | @CanadainItaly | @IFADAsia | #FinancingTheFirstMile | #IFAD14

Ten African countries are increasing their contributions to IFAD, pledging nearly US$9 million to IFAD’s fourteenth replenishment cycle for 2028-2030 (#IFAD14) and calling on international partners to match their ambition to accelerate rural transformation. Burundi, Chad, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan and Zimbabwe announced their commitments during the High-level Meetings of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Several countries have more than tripled their previous contributions, with the largest increases reaching nearly ten times their prior commitments. “African leaders recognize IFAD14 as a critical platform for strengthening the continent’s agrifood systems,” said @IFADPresident. “With nearly 60 per cent of IFAD’s portfolio invested in Africa and the Fund’s focus on the ‘first mile’ of food systems, IFAD is uniquely positioned to both channel and catalyze investment to rural areas where the greatest opportunities exist to create jobs, build resilience and accelerate inclusive growth.” IFAD’s financial model combines Member State contributions with loan repayments, borrowed funds and cofinancing, enabling the Fund to turn every dollar of core contributions into approximately six dollars of investment on the ground. With an AA+ credit rating, IFAD has issued more than US$1 billion in sustainable bonds since 2022, mobilizing additional capital for small-scale farmers, rural enterprises and climate-resilient food systems. Learn more at ifad.org/en/w/ten-african-co… #FinancingTheFirstmile #UNGA81

Investing in Africa’s young farmers is the answer to the coming food shock, says Kenyan President @WilliamsRuto in an op-ed for @cnbcafrica. Shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have far-reaching consequences, affecting nearly one-third of globally traded fertilizer. The most significant agricultural impacts are expected in the second half of this year, a critical period when farmers across Africa will make planting decisions for the coming season. "The most resilient answer to a fertilizer shock is not a fertilizer shipment. It is a productive rural economy that no longer relies on imported inputs as the only path to a harvest," said Ruto. This week, the #AfricaForward Summit is convening African Heads of State, business leaders, young people and civil society to advance solutions to food security, economic competitiveness and shared challenges. The timing is significant: IFAD's Member States have just launched the #IFAD14 replenishment, "one of the most consequential global decisions of the year on financing rural transformation," according to Ruto. "African leaders have an opportunity to come together to collectively commit to invest in our rural areas, and the young people who live there, at the scale and ambition this moment demands," added Ruto. Read more at bit.ly/4wmlVVH #IFADImpact #FinancingTheFirstMile | @StateHouseKenya

📢 IFAD is #hiring! As a specialized International Financial Institution, IFAD invests in rural development to drive sustainable impact in rural communities worldwide. We are looking for experienced professionals to join our team in the following roles. Click the links below to learn more and apply: 🔹Senior Audit Officer 👉 bit.ly/42BZ4aY 🔹Managing Director of Development Effectiveness and Corporate Strategy 👉 bit.ly/4tEMXF7 🌐 Learn more about IFAD’s work: ifad.org/en/what-we-do #JoinIFAD #IFI #Careers