Riyadh, February 15, 2019, SPA -- Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Eng. Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsin Al-Fadhli has signed, with the President of International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Gilbert F. Houngbo, a draft agreement between the Kingdom's government and the fund, to establish an office for relations with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states. This has taken place, on the sidelines of the 42nd session of the Governing Council of the (IFAD) held in Rome, Italy, on 14 and 15 February, under the title: "Rural Innovation and entrepreneurship". During the meetings, issues of nutritional value, gender discrimination and the social role entrepreneurship and business for enhancing resilience, gauging impact of modern technology on the future of agriculture and IFAD's future vision for engaging with the private sector, were discussed. Co-signed draft agreement aims to further strengthen partnership and cooperation between the IFAD and GCC member states, especially, with their development and financial institutions, expand the fund's programs and cooperate with charitable bodies, as well. -- SPA 20:22 LOCAL TIME 17:22 GMT 0013 www.spa.gov.sa/w837595