Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia once again led the 41st session of the International Fund for Agricultural Development of the United Nations (IFAD), according to the Indonesian Embassy in Rome.

At the opening of the 41th session of IFAD Governing Council, Rionald Silaban, the Indonesian finance minister`s expert staff member for macro-economy and international finance, was appointed as deputy chairman for the 2018-2020 term, the embassy stated in a press statement released on Wednesday.

Silaban was re-appointed to the post by acclamation. Indonesia was elected as the deputy chairman of the IFAD Governing Council, along with the Netherlands as chairman and Argentina as second deputy chairman.

The governing council is the highest decision-making council of IFAD, the only international financial institution that specifically dedicates itself to encourage investment in rural areas, with the aim of alleviating poverty and overcoming famine.

Nearly 80 percent of 815 million people in the world categorized as very poor residents live in rural areas, and most of them are farmers.

"Cooperation with IFAD is good for Indonesia because it targets small farmers. Currently, the implementation of the IFAD program in Indonesia gives priority to farmers and fishermen in the eastern parts of Indonesia," Silaban remarked.

Reported by Yuni Arisandy
(T.S012/A/KR-BSR/F001)

Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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