Denmark and the CGIAR

Denmark has traditionally provided a relatively high level of ODA. The level of ODA was fixed by law at 1% of the Gross National Product (GNP) -- a target attained in 1992. 45% of ODA is allocated to multilateral assistance, making Denmark one of the most generous donors to multilateral activities. This allocation is likely to rise in parallel to ODA and GNP. It is, for instance, the third largest donor to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the fourth largest donor to the World Food Programme (WFP).

Among the multilateral activities competing for funding from overseas development assistance, Denmark considers the CGIAR 'effective' in attaining important objectives, particularly its focus on sustainability. Denmark also values the high degree of accountability prevailing in the CGIAR and the control donors have over the system through its biannual meetings.

Denmark's Council for Research in Developing Countries recently recommended increasing the contribution to the CGIAR in recognition of the CGIAR's post-UNCED efforts. The Council is the body which advises the Government on multilateral research assistance and the expenditure of $8-10 million in bilateral aid for research. One of the Council's priorities is the follow-up to UNCED, including environmentally and agriculturally related research.

The Council -- whose 15-member body includes representatives from the six National Research Councils on agriculture, engineering, sciences, health, social sciences, and humanities -- is directly linked to the CGIAR in several important ways. For example, Lauritz Holm-Nielsen, Chairman of the Board of the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI), was a member of the Council from 1984-93 and served as its Chair from 1990-93. Per Pinstrup-Anderson, Director General of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), is a highly respected advisor. The Evaluation and Research Department of the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), headed by Klaus Winkel and Ebbe Schiøler, serves as the Council's secretariat and as Denmark's official link to the CGIAR. In addition, Denmark is well represented on Center Boards, the CGIAR Finance Committee, and the CGIAR Public Awareness Association.

The Council has benefitted from the rising interest in research related to developing countries among Danish scientific circles through its linkages to the national scientific community. For example, a Danish scheme sponsors twinning Danish research units with national research institutions in developing countries.

Visits by Center Directors are considered essential in raising awareness of the CGIAR system in Denmark. Generally, Center Directors visit and lecture at the Agricultural University and other universities, as well as the Carlsberg lab and other research labs during their stay. Recent visits to Denmark have been made by the Directors General of CIAT, CIP, IFPRI, IITA, and IRRI.

Danish contributions can be expected to gradually rise with GNP, assuming Denmark at least maintains the CGIAR share of multilateral disbursements. The Danish contribution is likely to be maintained at the present level in real terms or increased, if awareness of the CGIAR is continuously raised and linkages with the Danish scientific community are strengthened. An increase is not unlikely; it would be linked to specific areas in which CGIAR and Danish priorities coincide, but would also be subject to Denmark's continuing assessment of the CGIAR's effectiveness and credibility. (CGIAR Secretariat)