As they launched the IBSA Exhibition Booth at the Global South-South Development (GSSD) Expo 2017, in Antalya, the Ambassadors of India, Brazil and South Africa to Turkey showcased the leading efforts of the India, Brazil and South Africa Facility for Poverty and Hunger Alleviation (IBSA Fund) at supporting other developing countries achieve their development objectives. Highlighting the many challenges the global South confronts, and the plethora of solutions and innovative approaches it also possesses, IBSA Ambassadors called for greater cooperation and multilateral engagements among nations to eliminate poverty and hunger worldwide.
“This Expo comes just after a successful 8th Trilateral Ministerial Commission meeting of the IBSA Dialogue Forum, focused on consolidating the political and socio-economic dimension of IBSA. One of the biggest successes of this formation remains the IBSA Fund. – affirmed H.E. Mr. Pule Isaac Malefane, Ambassador of South Africa to Turkey.
“India is a firm supporter of South-South cooperation and it is pleased to respond to the priorities of other developing countries, through this very successful initiative with Brazil and South Africa– seconded H.E. Mr. Rahul Kulshreshth, Ambassador of India to Turkey.
“The IBSA Fund is very active. I’m pleased to announce that in just two weeks, two IBSA Fund projects will be inaugurated in the State of Palestine: a cardiac surgery clinic, and a hospital – informed Mr. Miguel Griesbach de Pereira Franco, Minister Counsellor, Embassy of Brazil in Ankara.
Since it became operational in 2006, the IBSA Fund has received $35 million in contributions and has advanced 27 projects in 21 partner countries, in support of all 17 Sustainable Development Goals. IBSA Fund projects are characterized for their highly practical, impact focused approach, which have delivered results in a range of areas: enhancing livelihoods, improving health care infrastructure, extending access to safe drinking water and many other activities addressing the root causes of poverty and hunger.
For example, thanks to IBSA 6 hospitals or health care centers have been built or refurbished; 30,000 farmers worldwide have increased their incomes; 7 markets, 1 water desalination plant, 1 irrigation system and 1 waste management plant have been built or refurbished; and 6,000 urban youth enhanced or are in training to improve their livelihoods. These results span across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Arab States and benefit both rural and urban communities; as well as children, youth, adults and the elderly.
The IBSA Fund is managed by the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation, which also serves as the Secretariat of its Board of Directors.
The IBSA Fund side event included the Turkey launch of the IBSA Fund 2017 Report. H.E. Mr. Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey joined the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the IBSA Exhibition booth.
