Meeting Between Ambassador ONO and IFAD President Lario: Presentation of Credentials (March 3, 2026)
2026/3/5
Ambassador Ono met with Mr. Alvaro Lario, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), to formally present her credentials.
Headquartered in Rome, IFAD is a specialized UN agency dedicated to rural development in developing countries. It operates in the front lines of rural areas, working directly with farmers to build resilient and inclusive supply chains. As a major donor, Japan remains committed to providing sustained support for IFAD’s vital missions.
One of the key pillars of this partnership is the “ELPS Initiative (Enhanced Linkages for small-scale Producers)”. This collaborative effort brings together smallholder farmers and local SMEs in developing nations, and global companies to establish integrated supply chains. This innovative approach aims to achieve a dual objective: fostering rural development abroad and enhancing Japan’s own food security.
During their discussion, Ambassador Ono and President Lario reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining close communication and further strengthening the robust partnership between Japan and IFAD.
Headquartered in Rome, IFAD is a specialized UN agency dedicated to rural development in developing countries. It operates in the front lines of rural areas, working directly with farmers to build resilient and inclusive supply chains. As a major donor, Japan remains committed to providing sustained support for IFAD’s vital missions.
One of the key pillars of this partnership is the “ELPS Initiative (Enhanced Linkages for small-scale Producers)”. This collaborative effort brings together smallholder farmers and local SMEs in developing nations, and global companies to establish integrated supply chains. This innovative approach aims to achieve a dual objective: fostering rural development abroad and enhancing Japan’s own food security.
During their discussion, Ambassador Ono and President Lario reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining close communication and further strengthening the robust partnership between Japan and IFAD.