IFAD's highest decision-making authority

The Governing Council is IFAD’s main decision-making body. It consists of all of IFAD’s Member States and meets annually. It is attended by the official Member State representatives, i.e. Governors, Alternate Governors and any other designated advisers. Observers are also invited to attend sessions.

All powers of the Fund are vested in the Governing Council, which takes decisions on issues such as approval of new membership; appointment of the President of IFAD; matters pertaining to the permanent seat of the Fund; approval of the administrative budget and adoption of broad policies, criteria and regulations.

Governing Council Sessions are chaired by the Chairperson of the Governing Council Bureau. For two-year terms, the Bureau is composed of a Chairperson and two Vice-Chairpersons representing each of the three Lists of the Member States of the Fund.

Governing Council Bureau

As per Rule 12, paragraph 1 of the Rules of Procedure of the Governing Council “The Governing Council shall at alternate annual sessions elect from among the Governors a Bureau consisting of a Chairperson and two Vice-Chairpersons who shall serve for two years and shall hold office until their successors are elected.”