President Alvaro Lario of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Narumon Pinyosinwat, of the Royal Government of Thailand signed a Host Country Agreement (HCA) for the establishment of IFAD’s first-ever Asia and the Pacific regional office in Bangkok. This strategic relocation underscores IFAD’s commitment to decentralizing its operations, moving closer to the people it serves, and strengthening its presence in the region.

“We are deeply grateful to the Government of Thailand for hosting IFAD’s brand new regional office. Our Bangkok office is about bringing IFAD closer to the countries and rural communities we serve, strengthening the impact of our programmes and providing new opportunities for partnership and collaboration,” said Lario.

The new office, which will open in 2025, will serve as a hub for IFAD’s operations in the Asia and the Pacific region, facilitating closer collaboration with IFAD’s Member States, regional organizations, academic institutions and civil society. It will also enhance IFAD’s ability to share technical expertise and knowledge with rural communities throughout the region.

“We believe that the regional office in Thailand will serve as a catalyst for increased collaboration between IFAD, governments, and public and private investors, enabling us to expand our efforts to support rural communities, particularly youth and women, and promote sustainable development in the region,” said Reehana Raza, IFAD Regional Director, Asia and the Pacific. “We look forward to working closely with the Thai government and its people to address the challenges and opportunities facing rural communities in the region,” she added.