The below is attributable to Spokesperson Jessica Jennings:
Today, Administrator Samantha Power met with the International Fund of Agricultural Development (IFAD) President Alvaro Lario. Administrator Power congratulated Mr. Lario on his recent appointment as president and affirmed U.S. support for IFAD.
Administrator Power reinforced the United States’ commitment to responding to the global food security crisis and highlighted how USAID’s global footprint, long-term investments in food security, and the infusion of supplemental funding is helping us to pivot and adapt our efforts to address the crisis exacerbated by Putin’s war in Ukraine. She highlighted the new Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative to scale and expedite Feed the Future efforts to connect diverse smallholder farmers with climate-smart, affordable, and accessible agricultural inputs. Administrator Power also highlighted the United States’ recent $10 million contribution to IFAD’s Crisis Response Initiative.
Administrator Power encouraged IFAD to continue prioritizing climate adaptation as part of IFAD13, the organization’s resource mobilization effort, and highlighted the critical role the private sector can play in helping unlock solutions to build climate resilience and food security in partner countries.