World hails Mubarak's poverty-combat efforts

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Chairman Fawzi Hamad Sultan on Friday hailed President Hosni Mubarak's efforts in the field of eliminating poverty.

"These highly valued efforts are foremost among the reasons for which an official invitation was extended to President Mubarak to participate in the inauguration of the 24th IFAD session," he added.

Mubarak is due to address the ministers and heads of delegations of 164 countries representing the IFAD governors' council.

Speaking to MENA, Sultan said the momentum given by President Mubarak to the realization of the IFAD objectives over the past years contributed to the accomplishment of major IFAD projects in Egypt.

Sultan also lauded the positive role played by Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak, which was crowned by the convocation of the Conference on Economic Development for Rural Women, organized by the IFAD in 1992 with the participation of 64 of the world first ladies.

He was hopeful Mrs. Mubarak would pay a visit to the IFAD headquarters in Rome during President Mubarak's forthcoming visit to Italy.