The President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Gilbert F. Houngbo, will travel to Maputo (Mozambique) to attend the "Growing Blue" conference and speak about the need to increase investment in sustainable development by for rural populations whose livelihoods depend on aquatic resources, including artisanal fisheries, aquaculture and coastal environments.

Gilbert F. Houngbo will take advantage of his stay in the capital to meet Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of the Republic of Mozambique, to discuss with him IFAD's support for the measures taken by the country in the areas food and nutritional security, adaptation to climate change, job creation for rural youth and poverty reduction.

Mozambique's economy is based on agriculture. This sector contributes 25% to GDP and employs 80% of the country's active population.

Nearly 95% of production is provided by smallholders and falls under rain-fed agriculture. Investing in Mozambique's agriculture and smallholders is therefore essential.

In Maputo, Gilbert F. Houngbo will speak at the inaugural session of the conference "Growing Blue: Sustainable and Shared Ocean Exploration".

Through its action and its investments, IFAD supports certain sectors of the blue economy. His long-standing involvement in the fisheries sector and the management of aquatic resources spans several decades.

More than 800 million people in the world live from activities in the sea. The value of fish production is estimated at 362 billion USD and represents almost 20% of the animal protein consumed by 3.2 billion people.

To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ensure global food security, it is imperative to tackle the problems of marine pollution, rising sea levels and the destruction of aquatic ecosystems. .

About a third of the world's fish stocks are overfished beyond their sustainable limits.

Since 1980, IFAD has supported more than 100 projects involving rural communities that depend on fishing or aquatic resources. The total amount of these investments amounts to nearly US$3.4 billion, of which US$1.6 billion is a direct contribution from IFAD.

Currently, at least 14 African countries benefit from IFAD support in the form of loans and grants granted within the framework of projects related to fisheries and aquaculture.

Coastal populations, and in particular small island developing States, face unique challenges, such as extreme environmental and climatic threats.

IFAD responds to their needs, in particular, by rebuilding the livelihoods and strengthening the resilience of populations who have been seriously affected by the tsunamis in Asia or by the El Niño phenomenon in Africa.

In addition to the Mozambican President, Gilbert F. Houngbo will meet the Minister of Economy and Finance and Governor of IFAD for the Republic of Mozambique, Adriano Afonso Maleiane; the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Higino Francisco Marrule; as well as the Minister of the Sea, Continental Waters and Fisheries, Agostinho Mondlane.

While in the country, Gilbert F. Houngbo will also visit the sites of two IFAD-supported projects: the Pro-Poor Value Chain Development Project in the Maputo and Limpopo Corridors (PROSUL) and the Support Project to the development of artisanal fishing (ProPESCA).

These visits will be an opportunity for him to interact with people involved in the projects and see firsthand how IFAD's investments have transformed their lives.

Since 1983, IFAD has participated in the financing of 15 rural development programs and projects in Mozambique, investing US$391 million out of a total amount of US$663.7 million, which have directly benefited more than 2 million rural households.

IFAD invests in rural people, empowering them to reduce poverty, increase food security, improve nutrition and build resilience.

Since 1978, we have provided some US$20.9 billion in the form of low-interest loans and grants for projects that have reached some 483 million people.

IFAD is an international financial institution and a specialized agency of the United Nations headquartered in Rome - the UN's food and agriculture hub.