Khartoum, July 12, 2026 (SUNA) – A regional evaluation mission from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has begun a field visit to Sudan from July 5 to 17 as part of an assessment covering eight conflict-affected countries in the Near East and North Africa region for the period 2016–2025. Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Mohamed Nour Abdel Dayim, met with the mission Sunday in the presence of Acting Undersecretary Dr. Mohamed Ali Juma, Director General of the External Finance Directorate Ikhlas Mohamed Ali, and representatives of the Administration and the Central Coordination Unit for IFAD projects. During the meeting, the Minister of State reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to fully cooperate with the IFAD mission and provide all necessary data and information to facilitate its work. He explained that the war had caused widespread destruction of agricultural infrastructure, including irrigation networks, roads, and storage facilities, while the combined effects of conflict and climate change had further worsened food security challenges and reduced agricultural production. The Minister noted that the discussions focused on the need for IFAD to update its programs to reflect the country’s war-affected conditions, activate agricultural production and supply chains, and support agricultural and livestock value chains to enhance the value of Sudan’s exports and contribute to the country’s development and reconstruction.  The meeting also emphasized the adoption of modern agricultural technologies and stronger international partnerships through IFAD to support Sudan’s agricultural development. Participants reviewed Sudan’s long agricultural history and its longstanding partnership with IFAD dating back to the 1970s, stressing the need for increased support from the Fund. The meeting also discussed ways to align the Ministry’s vision with IFAD’s priorities and the organization’s role in supporting reconstruction and recovery programs in conflict-affected rural areas. It underscored the government’s priority of assisting affected rural communities and reaffirmed Sudan’s commitment to its partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development. The mission comprises five experts led by the Senior Evaluation Officer, Paolo Silveri, alongside Rami Assaf, Michael Thomas, Damien Robson, and national consultant Yasser Ahmed Abdel Hafeez Omar.A draft evaluation report is expected to be issued in February 2027, with the final report scheduled for April 2027, before being presented to IFAD’s Executive Board in October 2027.BH/BH