The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Bank today signed a new Co-Financing Framework Agreement to expand joint investment in rural transformation and food systems. Signed during the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group in Bangkok, the agreement will strengthen collaboration between the two institutions. It aims to build resilience and promote entrepreneurship and job creation in rural areas, at a time when the largest generation of young people in history is reaching working age amid slowing growth and increasing economic uncertainty.
“Together, the World Bank and IFAD bring the scale, reach and expertise to transform rural economies and agrifood systems,” said Alvaro Lario, President of IFAD. “This agreement will enable us to turn our shared ambition into greater investment, more jobs, stronger resilience and improved food security for millions of people.
