IFAD is responsive in face of global challenges but its ambitious agenda necessitates strategic focus

15/02/2024 - Rome – Operating in an increasingly complex development environment, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)’s, role in transforming rural communities and food systems is as crucial today as when it was founded 45 years ago. The organisation, mandated to support inclusive rural agricultural development and food systems, has a dual mandate as a UN agency and an International Financial Institution and holds a unique place in the multilateral system.

According to the latest Multilateral Performance Network (MOPAN) report, the organisation is well-positioned to respond to critical global challenges and has demonstrated agility and flexibility in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change. The assessment of IFAD’s business model and results – released today in Rome, by MOPAN members Canada, Finland and France – looks closely at IFAD’s effectiveness and performance. The report boasts top ratings of “satisfactory” and “highly satisfactory” for 11 out of 12 of MOPAN’s key performance indicators focused on the organisation’s management. However, the challenge for IFAD is in its selectivity, strategic prioritisation and engagement in partnerships aligned with its role in the multilateral system.

“Our assessment shows that IFAD is an agile, responsive and inclusive organisation, giving voice in decision-making to partners countries and marginalised local communities” said Suzanne Steensen, Head of the MOPAN Secretariat.“ Given its dual mandate as an IFI and UN agency - and the many critical global challenges it is addressing - ensuring strategic prioritisation of resources and partnerships regarding its mandate and comparative advantage will be critical to the success of IFAD-13”.

To maximise its results and impact, IFAD needs to strengthen its strategic focus, doubling down on its past successes, based on strategic analysis of its mandate in light of global needs, and to leverage for impact in ways that are aligned with IFAD’s strategy. This includes commitments outlined in IFAD-13: concentrating on climate-resilient agriculture, supporting smallholder farmers in fragile and conflict-affected states, supporting the Leave No One Behind agenda and fine-tuning its operational model will further enhance IFAD’s impact, effectiveness and efficiency.

The Multilateral Performance Network (MOPAN) is an independent network of 22 member states who have a shared vision to promote an effective multilateral system trusted to deliver solutions to evolving global goals and local challenges. Together, MOPAN members and collaborators provide nearly USD 70.6 billion in annual contributions to and through the multilateral system – the majority of the system’s official development assistance (ODA) funding.

For further information on MOPAN, or about this MOPAN Assessment of IFAD, please contact: Cara.YAKUSH@mopanonline.org