Headquartered in Rome, IFAD is involved in over 200 projects across nearly 100 countries.[2] It funds and sponsors initiatives that improve land and water management, develop rural infrastructure, train and educate farmers in more efficient technologies, build up resilience against climate change, enhancing market accessibility, and more.[3]
IFAD was established as an international financial institution in 1977 through United Nations General Assembly Resolution 32/107 (30 December 1977) as one of the major outcomes of the 1974 World Food Conference.[5] The conference highlighted the vital importance of addressing food insecurity and poverty in emerging countries' rural communities. IFAD officially opened its headquarters in Rome, Italy and convened its first Governing Council with 120 Member States and it is a member of the United Nations Development Group.[6] The current President of the IFAD is Alvaro Lario from Spain, who took over from Gilbert Houngbo in late 2022.[7]