UN agricultural development fund chief heads to China for talks on environment

The head of the United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) will embark on a four-day visit to China by the end of this month to discuss the country’s initiatives on strengthening rural women’s role in fighting environmental degradation, the Rome-based agency said today.

During his stay in Beijing from May 29 to June 1, IFAD President Lennart Båge will meet Chinese Vice Prime Minister Hui Liang Yu and Vice Minister of Finance Li Yong.

“China is an important partner,” IFAD official said, acknowledging that the country has tripled its financial contribution to the agency’s resources. China has indicated that it will contribute about 16 million dollars to IFAD’s seventh replenishment, a substantial increase as compared to over 10 million dollars share in the sixth replenishment.

Mr. Båge’s visit will coincide with the Beijing Conference on Women and Desertification, one of a number of thematic conferences being held this year to mark the UN’s International Year of Deserts and Desertification.

The Conference is expected to bring together 120 international experts on gender issues and sustainable development, civil society representatives, as well as 50 participants from China.

Ahead of his trip to China, Mr. Båge is also scheduled to visit Japan, where he will attend the annual Tidewater meeting being held this weekend.

Convened by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the meeting in Tokyo will be attended by development ministers and heads of development agencies.