IFAD Basic Legal Documents

IFAD’s governance, its operations and activities, are governed by various legal texts that are adopted and amended as appropriate by the Fund’s governing bodies.

Agreement Establishing the International Fund for Agricultural Development

The Agreement Establishing IFAD [Arabic] [English] [French] [Spanish] was adopted by the United Nations Conference on the Establishment of an International Fund for Agricultural Development on 13 June 1976, in Rome. The Agreement entered into force on 30 November 1977. Amendments to the agreement are adopted from time to time by the Governing Council. The agreement sets forth, inter alia, IFAD’s objectives, its organization and management; it defines IFAD’s resources and lays down certain rules related to membership, decision-making, etc.

By-laws for the Conduct of the Business of IFAD

The By-Laws [Arabic] [English] [French] [Spanish], adopted pursuant to Article 6.2 of the Agreement, are intended to be complementary to the Agreement and shall be construed accordingly. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of these By-laws and the Agreement, the provisions of the Agreement shall prevail. In the event of a conflict between these By-laws and any rules and regulations adopted pursuant to the Agreement, the By-laws shall prevail.

The By-laws may be amended by the Governing Council, as appropriate.

Rules of Procedure of the Governing Council

These Rules of Procedure [Arabic] [English] [French] [Spanish] were adopted by the Governing Council at its First Session on 13 December 1977. They set out the rules for the conduct of Governing Council sessions and may be amended by the Governing Council as and when required.

Rules of Procedure of the Executive Board

The Rules of Procedure of the Executive Board [Arabic] [English] [French] [Spanish] were adopted by the Executive Board at its First Session on 14 December 1977. They set out the rules for the conduct of Executive Board sessions and may be amended by the Executive Board as and when required.

Financial Regulations of IFAD

These Financial Regulations [Arabic] [English] [French] [Spanish] were adopted by the Governing Council at its First Session on 15 December 1977. These regulations govern the financial administration of the Fund and are to be interpreted in accordance with the Agreement. The Governing Council may adopt amendments to these regulations as required.

Policies and Criteria for IFAD Financing

The Lending Policies and Criteria [Arabic] [English] [French] [Spanish] were adopted by the Governing Council at its Second Session on 14 December 1978.

At its Thirty-Sixth Session on 14 February 2013 (Resolution 178/XXXVI), the Governing Council adopted a revised version of the Lending Policies and Criteria, which is now renamed as “Policies and Criteria for IFAD financing”.

The Governing Council has the authority to adopt amendments to these policies and criteria.

General Conditions for Agricultural Development Financing

These General Conditions for Agricultural Development Financing [Arabic] [English] [French] [Spanish] were adopted by IFAD’s Executive Board on 29 April 2009. The Executive Board may approve amendments to the General Conditions as appropriate.

Other basic documents set out principles, rules and guidelines on various issues, such as procurement, de facto governments, whistleblower protection, etc. Additional basic documents may be viewed at the following links [Arabic] [English] [French] [Spanish] .