2017 showed that donor agencies and development finance institutions need to stop thinking in silos and sectors, but rather concentrate on interconnections within and across our development strategies and programs – towards greater realignment, efficiency and more coherent delivery of outcomes and joint impact.

With the international agreements on SDGs, COP22 and Financing for Development, the frame of work of the Platform has changed. The report summarises the activities of 2016 and the new goals the Platform agreed on.

2015 was a very stimulating year for the international community and our development partners. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their targets as well as the modernised financial architecture “Financing for Development – Addis Ababa Action Agenda” (AAAA) will have a great impact on agriculture and rural development.

2014 was a crucial year for the international development community for setting the groundwork and course for various milestones of global development in 2015 and beyond. This was the case for the international community, but also for the Platform itself.

2013 marked the 10th anniversary of the Platform’s creation and we had many reasons to celebrate. The Platform established itself as an important convener of donors committed to tackle rural development challenges and to advance agriculture and rural development (ARD) and food and nutrition security (FNS) as part of the post-2015 development agenda.

In 2012, several major trends and challenges have emerged to establish the context for the Platform’s work to tackle poverty and end hunger through sustainable agricultural development, food security and nutrition.

In 2011, Platform members developed new strategies to improve agricultural production, increase access to markets, manage risk, and improve the livelihoods of rural people. The Platform continued its dual role as advocate and knowledge broker.

The Platform’s contribution towards integrating the different approaches being used in agriculture and rural development in 2010 is the reason for the title of this report "Like minds, diverse strengths: Networking together". It outlines how the Platform helped different actors to interact and move towards a more coordinated approach to influencing agendas and tackling rural poverty.

In 2009 the Platform proved that it is delivering on its promises: through information sharing and knowledge management, it supported its members and the entire agriculture and rural development community to better respond to the steadily rising demand of growing populations for agricultural products, including food, fibre and fuel.

In 2008 the Platform advocated strongly for more effective and increased investment in agriculture and rural development (ARD) to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. The Third High-Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness (HLF3), held in Accra, in September, was a key event for Platform advocacy.