A Vietnamese delegation attended the 36th session of the Annual Governing Council of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in Rome from February 13 to 14.

The three-member delegation, led by Deputy Minister of Finance Truong Chi Trung, joined representatives from 166 other member countries and international organisations, including Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu.

Seventy-nine member countries pledged the 9th contribution of a total of 1.38 billion USD to International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD9. This year, Vietnam increased its contribution to 600,000 USD, 100,000 USD more than its previous contribution.

During the opening ceremony on February 13, IFAD President Kanayo F. Nwanze, who has been re-elected as IFAD President for the 2013-2016 tenure, appealed for solidarity to help reduce poverty worldwide. He stressed the necessity for sustainable and comprehensive development of rural areas to ensure food security.

He encouraged countries to produce biomass energy, which is already successfully generated in Vietnam, China, Gambia, Kenya and Pakistan.

Vietnam has a more dynamic role in IFAD activities since becoming a middle income nation. In the past, IFAD supported Vietnam in development projects for its rural and remote areas.

IFAD is a specialised agency of the United Nations. It was founded as an international financial institution in 1977, and has provided 13.7 billion USD in aid and low interest loans to projects in developing countries, helping 405 million people escape poverty.-VNA