2003–2023

20th Anniversary

In 2023, the Global Donor Platform for Rural Development celebrated 20 years of bringing donors together. This milestone is reflected in the theme of this year’s Annual General Assembly (AGA) “20 Years of rural development and aid effectiveness: Where are we now and where we are going?” which took place on 26–27 October in Rome, Italy.

2003–2023

20th Anniversary

In 2023, the Global Donor Platform for Rural Development celebrates 20 years of bringing donors together. This milestone is reflected in the theme of this year’s Annual General Assembly (AGA) “20 Years of rural development and aid effectiveness: Where are we now and where we are going?” which takes place on 26–27 October in Rome, Italy.

Reflecting on 2023 with a photo recap.

Now is the time to come together and find the way forward for the next 20 years and beyond.

Since the idea of a global forum for rural development became reality two decades ago, the GDPRD has provided a unique space for donor organizations investing in rural development, agriculture and food systems to collaborate on and address emerging issues.

Donor coordination has since become even more challenging in an increasingly complex environment, continuously tested by shifting geopolitics and a new “normal” of global crises. Development assistance has also substantially changed; new emerging economies have challenged traditional approaches, and financial resources for food systems have shrunk.

The 2023 Annual General Assembly will mark the Platform’s anniversary by reflecting on the 20 Years of rural development and aid effectiveness and find out where are we now and where are we going.

There has never been a more urgent need for the donor community to come together to reaffirm its commitments for improved harmonization and country ownership as well as policy coherence at a donor and partner level. Moreover, with increased pressure on financing, ensuring accountability is a top priority. Our commitment to harmonization and aid effectiveness remains essential.

Now is the time to come together and find the way forward for the next 20 years and beyond.

Since the idea of a global forum for rural development became reality two decades ago, the GDPRD has provided a unique space for donor organizations investing in rural development, agriculture and food systems to collaborate on and address emerging issues.

Donor coordination has since become even more challenging in an increasingly complex environment, continuously tested by shifting geopolitics and a new “normal” of global crises. Development assistance has also substantially changed; new emerging economies have challenged traditional approaches, and financial resources for food systems have shrunk.

The 2023 Annual General Assembly marked the Platform’s anniversary by reflecting on the 20 Years of rural development and aid effectiveness and find out where are we now and where are we going.

There has never been a more urgent need for the donor community to come together to reaffirm its commitments for improved harmonization and country ownership as well as policy coherence at a donor and partner level. Moreover, with increased pressure on financing, ensuring accountability is a top priority. Our commitment to harmonization and aid effectiveness remains essential.

Now is the time to come together and find the way forward for the next 20 years and beyond.

What sets the GDPRD apart?

What sets the GDPRD apart?

Our Members and Partners

Our Members and Partners

We must work to build more effective multilateralism, including via platforms such as the GDPRD – but this … needs commitment at the highest levels within our own organizations.

We must work to build more effective multilateralism, including via platforms such as the GDPRD – but this … needs commitment at the highest levels within our own organizations.

The group has proved its value by providing space and opportunities for different actors in rural youth to share their views, methodologies, results and lessons learned. This strengthens partnerships and coordination among the group’s members.

The group has proved its value by providing space and opportunities for different actors in rural youth to share their views, methodologies, results and lessons learned. This strengthens partnerships and coordination among the group’s members.

This is a great platform … not where agriculture people talk to each other but a place about rural resilience, climate change mitigation and adaptation, natural resources, biodiversity, income and jobs in rural places, and digitalization.

This is a great platform … not where agriculture people talk to each other but a place about rural resilience, climate change mitigation and adaptation, natural resources, biodiversity, income and jobs in rural places, and digitalization.

2023

Milestones

The Platform turns 20

2023 Annual General Assembly coincides with the Donor Platform’s 20th anniversary

This milestone is reflected in the 2023 Annual General Assembly theme of “20 Years of rural development and aid effectiveness: Where are we now and where are we going?”. The AGA took place on 26-27 October 2023 at IFAD HQ in Rome, Italy. Watch the recordings.

“Looking back almost 20 years to 2003 when the Platform was established, we see that the fundamental challenges of rural development remain. The Platform has a clear role to play in continuing to focus global attention on these challenges, which remain front and centre in discussions on food systems transformation.”
– Tristan Armstrong, Co-Chair (GDPRD Annual Report 2021)

View the complete timeline here.

Download the 20-Year Anniversary graphic here.

Tag #GDPRD20 on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.

CONTACT | GDPRD

Maurizio Navarra

Secretariat Coordinator at the
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Rome/Italy

CONTACT | GDPRD

Michelle Tang

Secretariat Communications at the
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Rome/Italy