CGIAR International Centers Week 1997
Preliminary End-of-Meeting Report
[International Centers Week 1997 of the CGIAR was held in Washington, DC from October 27 - 31, 1997. CGIAR Chairman Ismail Serageldin presided. A "Summary of Proceedings and Decisions" will be published by the CGIAR Secretariat. The notes below represent a preliminary summary of highlights. This is not a comprehensive, official record.]
1. Chairman's Opening Address. The CGIAR Chairman formally opened the meeting with a policy statement in which he challenged the Group to nurture an evaluation culture within the CGIAR, to respond to the needs and concerns of center scientists, to address the financial condition of the system, and to assess how the changing paradigm of science and partnerships will affect the work of the CGIAR in the future. Pointing out that business as usual is no longer possible, he said that the entire system has to work together to ensure that the dynamics of change support and do not impair the CGIAR's commitment to scientific quality.
The continued effectiveness of international agricultural research will require a double paradigm shift, the Chairman said. First is the integration of crop specific research into a broader, more holistic vision to achieve results through increasing the sustainability, productivity, and profitability of complex farming systems at the smallholder level. Second is accelerating the breeding process by using cutting edge techniques such as genetic mapping, molecular markers, and biotechnology to wield the promise of science for the poor and the environment.
2. New and Potential Members. New Zealand, Peru, and Portugal were admitted to CGIAR membership by acclamation. This brings the total number of CGIAR members to 57, of which 19 are from developing countries, 21 from industrial countries, and 2 from economies in transition. H. E. Rodolfo Muñante Sanguinetti, Minister of Agriculture, led the Peruvian delegation. The delegation from New Zealand was led by Jackie Frizelle of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Representatives from Thailand, led by Sompong Theerawong, Director General of the Department of Land Development of the Ministry of Agriculture, were welcomed to their first CGIAR meeting. Thailand joined the CGIAR at MTM97.
In statements made to the Group, representatives from Chile, Morocco, and Vietnam, who were attending ICW97 as observers, each declared their country's intent to join the CGIAR in the near future. Representatives from Turkey and Uruguay also attended ICW97 as observers. Welcoming the observers to the meeting, the Chairman expressed the hope that all five countries would soon join the CGIAR.
3. Presentation Honoring Robert S. McNamara. The Group unanimously adopted a resolution to honor Mr. McNamara's vision and leadership as one of the founders of the CGIAR, his continuing staunch support of the CGIAR, his commitment to the cause of development, and his abiding concern for the world's poor. The resolution was presented to him in the form of a plaque by the CGIAR Chairman during a special ceremony at ICW97.
In accepting the plaque, Mr. McNamara praised Mr. Serageldin's leadership, both in the World Bank and as CGIAR Chairman, and paid tribute to the other pioneers and founders of the CGIAR. Stating that "absolute poverty today is a disgrace," he urged the CGIAR to continue its efforts to alleviate the plight of the world's poor, particularly in Africa, which is facing a crisis situation.
4. CGIAR Alumni. The Group welcomed by acclamation two distinguished CGIAR alumni to ICW97: David Hopper, a former CGIAR Chairman (1987-1990), who was involved in the creation of the CGIAR, and Lowell Hardin, a CGIAR pioneer, whose many contributions include the founding of CIAT.
5. Comings and Goings. The Group paid warm tribute to those who had recently left the CGIAR or for whom this would be their last CGIAR meeting in their current capacities, and welcomed new appointees to ICW97. Kunio Nakamura was recognized for his dedicated service as the former representative of Japan to the Group. Wanda Collins stepped down as CBC Chair and IPGRI Chair to assume her new position as CIP's Deputy Director General for Research. Walter Falcon became the new CBC Chair and Martin Pineiro the committee's Vice Chair. Marcio de Miranda Santos assumed the chairmanship of IPGRI. Martha ter Kuile departed as Chair of CIP. Adrian Fajardo-Christen assumed the chairmanship of CIP on an interim basis. Geoffrey Hawtin, who stepped down as PARC Chair, succeeded Hubert Zandstra as CDC Chair. Shawki Barghouti was welcomed to his first meeting as ICRISAT Director General. In January CIAT Chair Robert Havener will assume the post of IRRI Director General on an interim basis, following the departure of George Rothschild. Departing PSC Co-Chairs Andreas Büchting and Alejandro Rodriguez Graue were recognized for their service to the committee. Sam Dryden assumed the chairmanship of the PSC, and Assia Bensalah Alaoui was appointed Vice Chair of the committee. Eugenia Muchnik de Rubinstein departed from the IAEG. C. H. Hanumantha Rao, E. F. Henzell, Sir Ralph Riley, P. M. Tigerstedt, and Maria José de Oliveira Zimmermann's departed as members of TAC. Barbara Rose was welcomed as the Director of Operations for the Public Awareness Campaign, and Shirley Geer as the CGIAR Secretariat's new Senior Information Officer.
6. Chairman's Excellence in Science Awards. Outstanding scientific achievement was recognized and commended through the Chairman's Excellence in Science Awards, which honored special achievement in the following three categories: promising young scientist, outstanding local scientist, outstanding local scientific support staff, and outstanding scientific partnership. Award recipients were honored during a special ceremony, at which each received a scroll presented by the CGIAR Chairman.
Dr. Marianne Bänziger was presented with the Promising Young Scientist Award to recognize outstanding achievement in research on maize at CIMMYT. Dr. A. K. Singh received the Outstanding Local Scientist Award for outstanding achievement in research on the genome constitution, interspecific gene transfer, and conservation of groundnut genetic resources at ICRISAT. Mr. Marco A Rondón received the Outstanding Local Scientific Support Staff Award for outstanding and innovative contributions to research programs at CIAT. The Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) and ILRI were presented with the Outstanding Scientific Partnership Award to recognize outstanding achievement in collaborative research to enhance smallholder dairying in Kenya. Accepting the awards were Mr. Njoroge Wamatu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Research, Technical Training, and Technology, Kenya, on behalf of KARI and ILRI Director General Hank Fitzhugh.
7. Impact Assessment and Evaluation. The Group received the first annual report on impact from the IAEG Chair, as well as an update on IAEG activities, including the studies underway. The annual report on impact comprised four short reports on the following topics: genetic resources and biodiversity; better plants and animals; natural resources and productivity; and stronger national partners. It also covered a summary of the main findings from a review and synthesis of existing ex post impact assessments. Studies are underway to determine the impact of CGIAR germplasm improvement work on food production, assessment of the adoption of CGIAR agricultural innovations, impact of CGIAR innovations on poverty, essential data for evaluation, and on natural resources management.
The IAEG recommended that centers adopt a logical framework analysis format, to assist evaluation and impact assessment in the CGIAR, and proposed to develop, in collaboration with the centers and TAC, common methodologies for evaluation. The IAEG concluded that progress is being made toward the acceptance of an evaluation culture in the CGIAR, and commended centers for their collaboration with the IAEG, in investing in and carrying out the various studies.
The following points summarize the Group's discussion:
8. Center Presentations on Their Impact. All 16 centers made presentations to the Group on the impact of their research activities. The Group also received an overview report on CGIAR impact.
9. Review of the CGIAR System. The first formal meeting of the system review panel was held during ICW97. The Panel Chair provided a status report to the Group on the panel's work and introduced panel members present. The panel engaged in an open dialogue with the Group in plenary session, and subsequently held separate smaller meetings with various subsets of CGIAR stakeholders.
The panel has agreed to take as a basic premise the continuing need for an international agricultural research system and to accept the renewed mission of the CGIAR. The review will focus in particular on how the CGIAR should position itself in the global system in the future, the areas of research the CGIAR should concentrate on, the structure and governance mechanisms needed to carry forth the CGIAR's mandate into the next millennium, and the partnerships that will be critical to the CGIAR's future success. The panel will operate in a transparent fashion, will engage in consultations with a wide range of stakeholders both within and outside of the CGIAR, and will focus on scientific issues before it considers issues of governance, structure, and finance.
The Group welcomed the preliminary work of the panel. Members expressed their concerns related to the panel's approach and suggested priority areas for the panel's consideration. The importance of reaching out to a broad constituency to ensure an open process in which all viewpoints are heard and taken into consideration was emphasized. The panel should take particular care to hear the voices of NGOs, women, and NARS, especially from Sub-Saharan Africa.
10. Biotechnology. Continuing the discussions begun at MTM97, the Group further explored how the CGIAR can best make use of biotechnology to help achieve the CGIAR's objectives. The Group received interim reports from the two expert panels constituted at MTM97 and convened under the auspices of TAC: the Expert Panel on General Issues in Biotechnology, and the Expert Panel on Proprietary Science and Technology. The Group was also briefed on the study of the World Bank Panel on Transgenic Crops, the outcome of the Biotechnology and Biosafety Forum held in conjunction with the Fifth Annual World Bank Conference on Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Development, and recent advances in the development of apomictic maize. In two parallel sessions focusing on scientific issues and intellectual property rights issues respectively, the Group examined the relevant issues in greater detail.
Biotechnology is a research tool, and as such is a means to achieve a goal, not an end in itself. Some aspects of biotechnology are widely accepted and employed, while others are currently beyond the comfort level of several CGIAR stakeholders. The challenge is to advance consensus so that the full potential of science can be employed to accelerate the CGIAR's work for the benefit of the poor in developing countries. This consensus will guide centers until the conclusions of the two expert panels are available and the Group has had the opportunity for further deliberation:
11. Genetic Resources. The GRPC reported to the Group on its activities since MTM97, highlighting in particular four items: the CGIAR's role in the implementation of the Global Plan of Action for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture; the importance of strengthening the CGIAR's work on animal genetic resources; intellectual property rights issues, including the working guidelines adopted by the Group at ICW96; and ethics and equity issues, particularly in relation to the workshop held in Brazil in April.
The Group discussed the draft set of ethical principles that were distilled by the GRPC from the outcome and recommendations of the Brazil workshop to help guide the CGIAR. The draft principles cover equity; trusteeship of genetic resources; respect, responsibility, and integrity in science; and social benefits. Following agreement that the CGIAR must secure common ground on this issue in incremental steps, the Group adopted the draft ethical principles as an interim statement, on the understanding that the principles would remain under review in light of evolving international fora and subject to input received from CGIAR stakeholders on specific issues. The Group agreed to review the draft ethical principles at MTM98, and amend them as needed.
12. World Food Situation. The Director General of IFPRI presented a report to the Group on current trends and the likely status of the world food situation in 2020, including the prospects for global food security. He highlighted two conclusions:
He emphasized that neither the goals of the World Food Summit nor the 2020 Vision can be achieved with business as usual. The appropriate action plans are in place, what is needed, and what is currently missing, is the political will to take the action required.
13. 1997 Funding Update. The Group received a report from the Finance Committee Chair on the expected 1997 financial outcome. At the aggregate level, the 1997 financial outcome is positive. At ICW96, the Group approved a funding estimate of $325 million for the CGIAR research agenda. With additional contributions from Finland, Spain, Brazil, South Africa, and Thailand, the actual financial outcome for 1997 is expected to be $330 million. Lagging disbursements from members in 1997 have created serious cash flow problems resulting in high financial costs.
At the individual center level, most centers are on track, either meeting or surpassing their financing plans for 1997. Some centers, however, face financing gaps, and several systemwide programs remain underfunded, notably the Systemwide Livestock Program. As well, despite meeting funding targets, some centers face difficulty because of limited access to unrestricted funding.
14. Financing the 1998 Research Agenda. The Group adopted the recommendations of the Finance Committee on the financing plan for the 1998 research agenda. Center financing plans were endorsed at identified levels, and an overall CGIAR financing plan of $345 million was approved. This comprises $333 million in funding identified by centers in their financing plans (including an increase in the matching ratio of World Bank support, from 10 to 11 percent, totaling $3 million), $5.5 million in crisis funding for ICRISAT ($3.5 million) and the Systemwide Livestock Program at ILRI ($2.0 million), $2.5 million for expenses associated with CGIAR partnership committees and the system review, and $4 million in set aside funds, to be allocated at MTM98 following a further review of the financial circumstances of centers. The World Bank will disburse 50 percent of the matching amounts early in the year.
Members were urged to give special attention in their funding allocations to the needs of the water and livestock sectors, to disburse funds as quickly as possible, and to provide funds with as few restrictions as possible. As well, members were requested to contribute special funding for the system review.
Centers were directed to plan for 1998 on the basis of identified funding, and urged to look at commodities whose shares have fallen below those endorsed by the Group at MTM97. Updated 1998 financing plans of the centers will be reviewed at MTM98.
On the recommendation of the Finance Committee, the Group confirmed that the CGIAR should treat the countries of Central Asia/Caucasus as it does developing countries, because of their eligibility for ODA under the DAC criteria. Centers were urged to take a coordinated approach to work in the region. These measures should provide impetus for the implementation of the Lucerne decisions regarding CGIAR research in the region.
Lucerne also directed the CGIAR to expand its collaboration and partnerships with members of civil society, particularly non-governmental organizations and the private sector. In this regard, the Finance Committee intends to review the nature of centers' private sector financial partnerships in order to examine their long-term implications.
15. 1999 Research Directions and Funding. In keeping with the cycle of decisionmaking endorsed at MTM95, the TAC Chair gave a preliminary report on 1999 research directions and funding. The Group will further consider and make decisions on the 1999 research agenda at MTM98. Center program and budget proposals for 1999 will be viewed in the context of the 1998-2000 medium-term plans endorsed by the Group at MTM97. TAC will compare the proposals to ensure their consistency with the medium-term plans, and that change is taking place in the broad strategic directions previously endorsed by the Group. As part of its work on a new CGIAR log-frame and in a continuing pursuit of transparency and accountability, TAC will review the project milestones centers are currently using in the medium-term planning process.
16. Global Forum on Agricultural Research. The Group received a report from the GFSC Chair on the progress made to operationalize the Declaration and Plan of Action approved by the Global Forum at ICW97. Two coordinating mechanisms have been established, the GFSC and the NARS Steering Committee, each with its own secretariat. The GFSC Secretariat is also the secretariat of the GFAR, and is located at the World Bank's ESDAR. The NARS Steering Committee Secretariat is being established at FAO. A proposed program of work for the next three years has been developed, based on the principles of subsidiarity, complementarity, additionality, openness and transparency, involvement of all stakeholders, and quality of the projects and the participating institutions. The program of work will continue to evolve. A support group has been established, to facilitate intellectual, technical, and financial interaction between the Global Forum and the donor community on the implementation of activities.
17. Report from the CGIAR Cosponsors. The Group received a report from the CGIAR cosponsors on their deliberations and decisions since MTM97. Cosponsors identified individuals for TAC membership to fill five vacancies. Approval of their appointment to TAC will be sought from the Group on a no-objection basis as soon as the nominees have been contacted and their availability is known. Lucia de Vaccaro's service as a TAC member was extended for one term (two years).
Cosponsors also considered candidates to fill vacancies on the IAEG, and determined that the candidate base should be broadened. As a result, the period of the search process was extended. It is expected that individuals will have been identified by mid-December 1997 to fill the vacancies. Cosponsors recommended a candidate for appointment by UNDP as IAEG Executive Secretary. That nomination will now go through UNDP's official appointment process.
18. Reports from CGIAR Committees. The Group endorsed reports from the Finance Committee, Oversight Committee, TAC, GRPC, NGOC, PSC, CBC, CDC, and PARC.
19. Future Meetings. The dates and locations of future CGIAR meetings will be as follows: