Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research

Resolution

Objectives, Composition and Organizational Structure
Washington, D.C.
May 1971

Objectives

I. The main objectives of the Consultative Group (assisted as necessary by its Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) described in part C below) are:

  • on the basis of a review of existing national, regional and international research activities, to examine the needs of developing countries for special effort in agricultural research at the international and regional levels in critical subject sectors unlikely otherwise to be adequately covered by existing research facilities, and to consider how these needs could be met;

  • to attempt to ensure maximum complementarity of international and regional efforts with national efforts in financing and undertaking agricultural research in the future and to encourage full exchange of information among national, regional and international agricultural research centers;

  • to review the financial and other requirements of those international and regional research activities which the Group considers of high priority, and to consider the provision of finance for those activities, taking into account the need to ensure continuity of research over a substantial period;

  • to undertake a continuing review of priorities and research networks related to the needs of developing countries, to enable the Group to adjust its support policies to changing needs, and to achieve economy of effort; and

  • to suggest feasibility studies of specific proposals to reach mutual agreement on how these studies should be undertaken and financed, and to exchange information on the results.

    • In all of the deliberations of the Consultative Group and the Technical Advisory Committee, account will be taken not only of technical, but also of ecological, economic and social factors.

    Composition

    II. The co-sponsors of the Group are the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

    As of June 1, 1971, its membership, in addition to the co-sponsors, consists of the following countries, regional development banks, private foundations and other organizations interested in supporting international agricultural research related to the problems of the developing countries.

    Governments

    International Organizations

    Others

    Canada

    African Development Bank

    Ford Foundation

    Denmark

    Inter-American Development Bank

    IDRC

    France

    Kellogg Foundation

    Federal Republic

    Rockefeller Foundation

    of Germany

    		    

    Netherlands

    Norway*

    Sweden

    United Kingdom

    United States

    * Subject to final approval by appropriate Norwegian authorities

     

    III. The following are participating in the Group as observers:

    Governments

    International Organizations

    Australia

    Asian Development Bank

    Belgium

    Development Assistance Committee of OECD

    Finland

    European Development Fund

    Italy

    Japan

    New Zealand

    Switzerland

    Some of the observers have indicated they may join as members

     

    IV. Arrangements will be made through FAO for the designation, for a period of two years, of not more that five governments, each representing a major region of the developing world, to participate as members of the Group. Other interested parties may be invited to join the Group or to participate as observers, as decided by the members.

     

    V. Membership in the Group involves no commitment to provide funds.

     

    VI. The Chairman and Secretary of the Group will be provided by the IBRD and its base will be at IBRD headquarters in Washington, but the venue of its meetings will be decided from time to time by its members.

     

    Supporting Services

    Technical Advisory Committee
    VII. A small Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) will be created by the Consultative Group, composed of distinguished international experts form developed and developing countries, nominated by the co-sponsors and appointed by the Group. Appointments will be for three years except that in the case of the first appointees (other than the chairman) four, selected by lot, will have one-year appointments and four, similarly selected, will have two-year appointments. The TAC will be supplemented by advisers with special expertise, who may be invited to serve individually or on panels to consider particular problems. TAC will report to the Consultative Group.

    VIII. TAC will, acting either upon reference from the Consultative Group or its own initiative:

  • advise the Consultative Group on the main gaps and priorities in agricultural research related to the problems of the developing countries, both in the technical and socio-economic fields, based on a continuing review of existing national, regional and international research activities;

  • recommend to the Consultative Group feasibility studies designed to explore in depth how best to organize and conduct agricultural research on priority problems, particularly those calling for international or regional effort;

  • examine the results of these or other feasibility studies and present its views and recommendations for action for the guidance of the Consultative Group;

  • advise the Consultative Group on the effectiveness of specific existing international research programs; and
  • in other ways encourage the creation of an international network of research institutions and the effective interchange of information among them.

    • These terms of reference may be amended from time to time by the Consultative Group.

     

    IX. The Chairman of the Technical Advisory Committee will be appointed by the Consultative Group and its Secretary will be provided by FAO. Its meetings will normally be held at FAO headquarters in Rome.

     

    X. As a supporting service to the TAC, FAO will endeavor to supply up-to-date information on current and proposed research activities related to the problem of the developing countries.

     

    XI. FAO will consult with TAC concerning the feasibility, method and cost of establishing a comprehensive data bank on agricultural research related to the needs of the developing countries, and the form in which this information can be made readily available to potential users and will prepare a report on this matter for the consideration of the Consultative Group.

     

    The Secretariat
    XII. The Secretariat will be composed initially of the Secretary of the Consultative Group and Secretary of the Technical Advisory Committee. Arrangements will be worked out to ensure liaison and collaboration between the two wings of the Secretariat.

    Final Arrangements

    XIII. IBRD has agreed to pay for the personal services and travel costs of the Secretary of the Consultative Group, and FAO has agreed to pay for the personal services and travel costs of the Secretary of the TAC.

    XIV. The expenses of the members of the TAC and of its advisers will be shared equally by the co-sponsors, subject to the necessary budgetary authorizations.

    XV. With respect to feasibility studies referred to under 1 (v), arrangements for financing will be made by the Consultative Group or by individual members on an ad hoc basis.