World Rural Development Day

Rural people are the backbone of food systems worldwide, yet they continue to face persistent challenges — from climate shocks to structural barriers that limit opportunity. Across Africa, investing in rural people — especially women — holds enormous potential to drive food security, reduce poverty, and advance gender equality. This conversation will highlight IFAD's approach to investing in rural communities in Africa and beyond. Speakers: Alvaro Lario, President, International Fund of Agricultural Development (IFAD) Moderator: Monicah W. Ndung'u, Chief of Corporate Affairs, Marketing & Partnerships Office, Nation Media Group. Related Sites and Documents:  SDG Media Zone website  &  Programme . Watch the Investing in Rural People in Africa and Beyond - SDG Media Zone, 80th Session of the UN General Assembly! 00:22:43 Side Events

  Blessed with tenacity, determination and grit, Amina Mohammed has always been driven to improve the lives of her fellow human beings and our planet. Rising to the top of the United Nations, her vision has helped shape the world's blueprint for a brighter future. "One step at a time, this whole life is about a journey. Make each step count. It is about taking people with you. Don't do this alone. It's too heavy. You need people to cry with you, laugh with you." Amina Mohammed is known for making the impossible possible, and has relied on a strong moral compass and the strength of her convictions across a long and varied career of service. In this episode, the UN Deputy Secretary-General and mother-of-six and grandmother to five reflects on what the Sustainable Development Goals have meant in her own life and shares what chocolate and traditional clothes have to do with strong leadership. Listen to the full episode on www.un.org/en/awake-at-night , UN YouTube or y...

Today's youth are shaping tomorrow’s world – and IFAD is making sure they have the tools to do so. Through our 3E approach, we support rural young people with: Employment – access to decent, meaningful jobs. Entrepreneurship – fuel to start and grow a business. Empowerment – a voice in decisions that affect them. We back this with real opportunities: training, job matching, business development services, credit and equity financing, and green and digital innovations.

  Women are the driving force behind rural communities , yet they have less access to resources and services than men. They're often overburdened with domestic tasks, while social norms prevent many from voicing their thoughts. Join the IFAD, the UN agency for rural development, and the Grammy award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir and sing for rural women so more people can hear why they matter. 

  Discover how rural entrepreneurs are transforming local challenges into scalable solutions . From seaweed fertilizers to mobile agri-learning tools, these innovators are driving climate resilience, inclusion, and sustainability—showcasing the power of community-led progress.

In Uruguay, Dronfies Labs with support from the UNICEF is piloting the use of drones to transport medical supplies such as medicines, blood samples and donated breast-milk from Tacuarembó Hospital, in the centre-north of the country, to the rural communities of Tambores, Curtina, and Ansina.  Learn more on how to strengthen health systems to reach remote communities