1. Formal Opening

CGIAR Chairman Ismail Serageldin formally opened ICW99. In his address, "Toward a New Vision for the Future," the Chairman said that the third System Review provided the Group with a number of suggestions for the future, some ideas about the potential of the new science, and a range of suggested changes to enable the CGIAR to face the needs of a rapidly changing world. The marvels of science are exploding in a myriad of ways, Mr. Seregeldin told the Group, and the ability to harness them to end human misery, promote sustainable development, and empower the weak and the marginalized will require redoubled efforts.

The Chairman challenged the Group to rethink what the CGIAR does, how it does it, and with whom, in the context of what the CGIAR should be ten years from now. The tasks ahead are enormous and the CGIAR must continue to evolve in order to remain a strategic factor in utilizing the best in science to serve the needs of the disadvantaged and disconnected. The CGIAR must review and redefine its vision, agree on how that vision can be fulfilled, and make whatever changes are required towards that end.

The Chairman formulated four propositions in the course of his opening address at ICW99. These were discussed and follow up actions taken, as noted below.

Mr. Serageldin made the following announcements:

Comings and Goings. The Group welcomed Emil Javier, TAC Chair-designate, Akira Seki, who attended his first meeting on behalf of the Asian Development Bank, Tetsushi Kondo, Japan's new representative to the CGIAR, and new Board Chairs Bob Havener (ICARDA), John Vercoe (ILRI), Moise Mensah (ISNAR), and Klaus Beek (IWMI), and paid tribute to all those for whom this would be the last meeting.

Condolences. The Group expressed condolences to the families of colleagues and friends Jack Doyle, Sir Ralph Riley, and Patricia Reeves.

Honors and Awards. The Chairman's Excellence in Science Awards recognize outstanding scientific achievements by CGIAR scientists and support staff. During a ceremony in plenary, the Chairman presented the 1999 awards:

• Promising Young Scientists -- James Legg, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), for his outstanding contributions to strengthening research for the control of cassava mosaic virus disease in Africa, and David Bergvinson, International Center for the Improvement of Maize and Wheat (CIMMYT), for his outstanding contributions to the development of modern host plant resistance program in maize.
• Outstanding Local Scientist—Amos Omore, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), for his outstanding contributions to the improvement of dairy production and marketing in small holder livestock systems in Kenya.
• Outstanding Local Scientific Support Staff—Paul E. Ilona, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), for his outstanding contributions to the development of cassava varieties and their adoption by farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The worldwide fight to eliminate poverty and the critical role being played by scientific research were the principal themes of ICW99. The major portion of the business meetings focused on the impact of CGIAR research on poverty, efforts to sharpen the science practiced by CGIAR institutions through enhanced research partnerships, and efforts to explore new scientific directions to impact poverty.

Impact of CGIAR Research on Poverty. The Group discussed the topic from a conceptual perspective and in terms of the specific evidence required to establish the agricultural research/poverty reduction link. The Group endorsed the following reports on the CGIAR's impact on poverty reduction.

Per Pinstrup-Andersen of IFPRI presented an overview of the World Food Situation based on "World Food Prospects: Critical Issues for the Early Twenty-First Century," a new 2020 Vision food policy report. Nearly 75 million people will be added to the world's population every year from now until 2020. During that time, rising incomes in the hands of millions of developing-country people will spur a large increase in global demand for food. To close the large gap between food production and demand projected for 2020:

Doug Pachico of CIAT presented a report on the international workshop, "Assessing the Impact of Agricultural Research on Poverty Alleviation," sponsored by CIAT and the CGIAR September 14–17 in San Jose, Costa Rica. Eighty researchers from around the world presented papers before an audience of nearly 200. Among the key findings and issues:

• Research has increased productivity and incomes on millions of small farms.
• Employment generation in agriculture has benefited workers, among the poorest of the poor.
• Future employment growth may come more from high value crops and post harvest processing than from staples.
• Cheaper food creates large widespread benefits to the poor; however, cheaper food itself will lift few out of poverty.

The Group received a report on recent IAEG activities from Professor Hans Gregersen, the current Chairman. The IAEG was established to provide timely, objective, and credible information on the impacts of CGIAR outputs, and to support centers in their ex post impact assessment activities. The Group endorsed the IAEG's preliminary reports on the CGIAR's impact on poverty eradication, food security and environmental protection, and urged the IAEG to move quickly into the next phase of impact assessment.

--Poverty Reduction. Peter Hazel of IFPRI reported the preliminary results of IAEG’s study of poverty reduction. An extensive review and synthesis of the literature on the links between agricultural research and poverty has confirmed that agricultural research can have very favorable impacts on the poor, but that this is not an inevitable outcome and depends on sufficient enabling conditions. These conditions include an equitable distribution of land, secure ownership and tenancy rights, efficient inputs and output markets that serve all types of farmers, research and extension systems that are not biased towards large farms, and scale neutral technologies.

--Crop Germplasm. Under the direction of Professor Robert Evenson of Yale University, the IAEG is undertaking a study of crop germplasm impacts covering ten crops for which the international and national research systems have been engaged. The studies cover crops that constitute 80 percent of the area planted in developing countries. Professor Evenson presented the preliminary findings on investments in crop genetic improvement, varietal production, IARC content and indirect IARC impacts on varietal production, measuring production impacts of improved varieties, and economic effects.

a) For the more developed country and crop programs, virtually all were strengthened in response to the establishment and strengthening of the international research programs.

b) For national programs with little capacity in the 1960s, the international programs effectively supplied much of the genetic material on which these programs were subsequently based.

a) The continued high level of NARS and IARC production of improved varieties appears to be the result of improved access to genetic resources in NARS and the cumulation of traits and landrace content in more recently released varieties.

a) The direct contribution of IARC programs is impressive. In the 1980s and 1990s, they were producing proportions of varieties that were well above their scientist and investment proportions. In a number of crops, IARC programs were continuing to contribute more than half of all improved released varieties into the 1990s.

The proportion of area planted to improved varieties has grown steadily in all crops and in the 1990s, improved varieties are the dominant crops. Farmers have placed value on improved varieties because they have adopted them. Had the IARCs not been established (even while NARS were built to within 10 percent of their late-1990s levels), varietal production would have been 35 to 50 percent lower.

Investments in IARC germplasm improvement have produced low food prices and massive gains to consumers, who are the largest beneficiaries of IARC programs. Poor consumers have benefited most of all. For the world’s smallest farm producers, the total producer and consumer gains are large.

--Environment. Details of the IAEG's study on the impact of CGIAR activities on the environment were provided by Dr. Mike Nelson of New Zealand. The preliminary analysis revealed that land saved from deforestation as a result of productivity research in seven key mandated food crops was in the range of 170 to 420 million hectares, with another 50 million hectares in reduced requirements for permanent pasture attributable to forage/livestock research.

--Integrated Pest Management. Professor Herman Waibel of Hannover University provided highlights of IAEG’s study on the impact of research on integrated pest management. He noted that research on IPM has been underway in all centers for a long period, and that the technological paradigm of IPM is dominant and there is also increasing appreciation given to treating IPM in a social science context. The future of IPM is heavily dependent on developments in biotechnology that will determine the nature of future partnerships. Finally, the study clearly shows that CGIAR’s investments have been profitable, and that even in the long term, the rate of return to investment in IPM research is in the magnitude of 15 to 40 percent.

Efforts to Sharpen the Science Practiced by the CGIAR institutions through enhanced research partnerships. In recent years, the CGIAR has redoubled its efforts to strengthen its scientific capacity (and thereby create a larger impact on poverty) by broadening its partnerships with other scientific institutions. A major portion of ICW99 was devoted to discussion of current initiatives and efforts in this area.

The focal point of the discussions was the Centers' Forum on "Inter-Center Collaboration to Combat Poverty." All sixteen centers made presentations under the broad headings of integrated gene management, productivity and natural resources management, systemwide ecoregional programs, and policies.

A major thrust of the partnership topic was the evolving vision of partnership-driven agricultural research, covering both global concerns and regional priorities in Africa and Latin America. Another thrust, exploring how the CGIAR could improve the mechanics of partnering, focused on the CGIAR's systemwide programs, its experiences with other research organizations, and ways of linking with the private sector. The Group endorsed the following partnership reports.

--Global Forum on Agricultural Research. R. S. Paroda, GFAR Chair, presented an update on major developments since MTM99 including preparations for the May 2000 Global Forum meeting in Dresden, Germany. GFAR's recent achievements include development of constituencies with agricultural research institutes, farmers organizations, NGOs, private sector, and donor community; convening a consultation on information, communications, technology at FAO in Rome; and cosponsoring the CGIAR/NAS International Conference of Biotechnology and the NGOC International Workshop on Approaches to Scaling-up the Impact of Sustainable Agricultural Projects. A second draft of the shared vision has been approved by the Global Forum and is being circulated for comments.

--Proposals for an African Research Strategy. Hank Fitzhugh of ILRI gave a progress report on development of an African Research Strategy for the CGIAR. In response to the SPAAR/FARA Vision for African Agricultural Research and the third System Review, the CDC has convened three meetings with African partners to jointly develop a strategy. The CGIAR's African partners support the CGIAR's mission as being fully congruent with and supportive of the Vision for African Agricultural Research. Technologies for sustainable development, technology dissemination and farmer employment, policy research, and capacity building have been identified as the foundations of the strategy. The draft strategy reflects the Centers commitment to the goal of achieving 6 percent annual growth in agricultural productivity by 2020. A final draft strategy will be submitted for endorsement at the SPAAR/FARA meeting in Guinea in February and to TAC in March for commentary. The Group will be asked to approve it at MTM2000.

--CGIAR Commitments in Latin America and the Caribbean. Edgardo Moscardi of Fontagro presented a report on CGIAR commitments in LAC on behalf of Lucio Reca, who chaired the panel.. The CGIAR has been involved in LAC agricultural development since its inception, allocating about 18 percent of its resources to LAC. CIAT, which was created with a regional mandate, has the largest involvement in LAC, allocating 71 percent of its resources to that region. The changes that have characterized LAC over the last 20 years have deeply redefined the actual or potential purposes of agricultural research, the ways in which it is organized, and the mechanisms through which it is funded. The panel's recommendations include more transparent NARS participation in Center regional priority setting, more partnership and cooperation with NARS, and more emphasis on rural poverty reduction and natural resource management. TAC Chair Donald Winkelmann told the Group that the report raises issues, which should be addressed as the CGIAR assesses its priorities, strategies, and resource allocations.

--Funding and Management of Systemwide Programs. Wally Falcon, CBC Chair, presented the preliminary recommendations on the management of systemwide programs. The CBC noted that the terminology regarding systemwide activities is ambiguous and confusing, and a common understanding on assumptions, rationale, and definitions is necessary. The CBC concluded that governance of the eight ecoregional initiatives is not well defined and that there must be more systematic benchmarking. TAC should do a further assessment of systemwide activities, including a comparative analysis of ecoregional and non-ecoregional programs, and a list of best practices. The 16 systemwide programs should be independently evaluated.

--Managing Research Partnerships: Lessons from Experience. The Group received a report on partnerships in the biotechnology/health sector from Edward Penhoet, Dean of the School of Public Health at the University of California-Berkeley. The biotech field is a model of partnership-intensive relations. Among the characteristics of a successful partnership are synergies between partners, commitment to come together face to face, and explicit definition of roles.

Efforts to Explore New Scientific Directions to Impact Poverty. Building on the third System Review, the Group explored new thinking in the areas of integrated natural resource management (INRM), climate change, and integrated gene management (IGM). The Group received the following reports:

Ted Henzell, chair of the panel commissioned by TAC to review CGIAR systemwide programs with an ecoregional approach, presented the findings and recommendations. The longer-established ecoregional programs have a record of very useful achievements and there has been excellent progress in developing partnerships with national agricultural research systems; however, there are areas requiring improvement. Speaking on behalf of TAC, Elias Fereres praised the panel for assuming such a challenging task, the first of its kind, and found the findings useful for their overview of the diversity of approaches used as well as of the strengths and areas requiring change.

Mike Nelson, chair of the Panel commissioned by TAC to study CGIAR research priorities for marginal lands, presented the Panel's findings and recommendations. The Panel reviewed the conventional thinking about the nature of marginal lands, the concentration of rural poverty on such lands, the linkage between poverty and accelerated resource degradation, and the CGIAR's role in poverty alleviation on these lands. TAC's overall conclusion, presented by Chair Donald Winkelmann, is that the evidence is inconclusive and neither confirms nor rejects the conventional wisdom that most of the rural poor are located in areas characterized by marginal lands and that marginal lands are more susceptible to resource degradation.

Jeff Sayer, chair of the CDC subcommittee on NRM, reported on the "Bilderberg Workshop on INRM" sponsored by the CDC September 3 - 5 in The Netherlands. The workshop established principles and criteria on the role and application of INRM methods which will determine the extent to which CGIAR projects fully integrate the scientific, social, and ecological dimensions of INRM. The CDC will constitute a task force to strengthen the INRM agenda of the CGIAR at the system level. TAC Member Elias Fereres said that TAC supports the CDC initiatives and views INRM as providing new opportunities for Centers.

Louise Fresco, director of Research, Extension and Training Division, FAO, presented an overview on "Climate Change and the CGIAR: Setting the Priorities." Ms. Fresco stressed the uncertainties about climate change and the weaknesses of current global climate change research. Elements of a CGIAR climate change strategy could include improving climate risk preparedness and adaptation to variability.

Pedro Sanchez, chair of the Intercenter Working Group on Climate Change, provided a progress report on the working group's activities. The CDC established the working group at MTM98 to assess the impact of the CGIAR and its partners on carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions, and to develop an integrated research strategy for the CGIAR in accordance with its mission statement. An impact study, which will be presented at MTM 2000, will assess changes in ecological states for the developing world as a result of CGIAR interventions, based on case studies submitted by the Centers. TAC member Elias Fereres reported on recent CGIAR activities on climate change including an inventory of Center research projects dealing with climate change. The Group discussed the Centers projects and the need to assess climate change work in the context of other pressing priorities for the CGIAR.

Tim Reeves, chair of the CDC subcommittee on intellectual property rights, presented a report on the strengthening and development of integrated gene management.

IPR Audits. Three Centers have completed IPR audits, which show no evidence of inappropriate use. Ten audits are underway, with phase I completed. Three audits will commence in the near future, and are expected to be completed by MTM2000.

Central Advisory Service. The service has been established at ISNAR as a "one-stop-shop" for advice to the Center on proprietary science and related IP issues. The Expert Advisory Committee for CAS held its first meeting in September to shape and prioritize the activities of CAS. A search is underway for a Senior Intellectual Property Officer. Progress on these activities was discussed at a stakeholders meeting before ICW99.

IGM Progress at Centers. New strategic alliances are being established by a number of Centers. A high level "think tank" on the privatization of agricultural research will be held at CIMMYT in November.

Louise Fresco reported on progress in the current negotiations for the revision of the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources within the FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and the implications for the CGIAR. Two issues are of direct interest to the Centers: the International Network of Ex Situ Collections under the Auspices of FAO and the Global Plan of Action for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

Geoff Hawtin reported on progress toward a multilateral system. An urgent problem is pending national legislation which could make it impossible for countries to sign the multilateral agreement. Mr. Hawtin reported on the recent meeting of the Panel of Experts on Access and Benefit-Sharing, convened by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Group endorsed the Panel's key conclusion that "In developing national legislation on access, Parties should take into account and allow for the development of a multilateral system to facilitate access and benefit sharing for plant genetic resources for food and agriculture."

Wanda Collins of CIP presented a summary report on the conference cosponsored by the CGIAR and the US National Academy of Sciences October 21-22. More than 400 people attended including representatives of the public and private sectors, NGO community, civil society organizations, researchers, senior policy makers from developing countries, and the media. The conference objectives were to broaden awareness of how developing countries view biotechnology and hear about their experiences using it, to better understand the scientific evidence about the issues which can be scientifically addressed, and to identify public policy issues relevant to the CGIAR system and NARS. The CGIAR was seen as a vehicle for providing the kind of scientific, factual information necessary to sort through the myriad of specific problems which have to be addressed to instill confidence in biotechnology solutions—these include scientific, policy, risk, and intellectual property issues, among others.

The Group welcomed the summary report of the biotechnology conference and congratulated the organizers. The Group looked forward to receiving the full report of the meeting as soon as possible, and trusted that the suggestions made should be drawn to the attention of the relevant components of the CGIAR system for future action.

The Chairman formulated four propositions in the course of his opening address on Monday, October 25, 1999. The fourth of those propositions, concerning CGIAR leadership, was reformulated by the Consultative Council and has been adopted by the Group.

The first three propositions were discussed by the Consultative Council on Thursday, October 28, 1999. The CGIAR Chairman presided. These propositions were reformulated by the Consultative Council, and were submitted to the Group for adoption.

The reformulated propositions are as follows:

To help us address the future (horizon 2005 – 2010) TAC will lead an exercise to define

• Where we should be,

• What we should be doing and producing,

• How we should be doing it,

• And with whom.

In so doing TAC will involve the centers and seek views from the CGIAR members and all stakeholders.

TAC will draw on previous work and move quickly to ensure that its work will be completed for consideration and adoption at MTM2000.

Form follows function. To deal with how to deploy the future resources of the CGIAR in the most effective way, TAC will work with the centers and others to identify the direction and scope of the needed institutional changes.

This work will be done as rapidly as possible, and no later than to get decisions made by the CGIAR at ICW2000.

For this whole process over the coming year, the Consultative Council will be the instrument to bring to bear the wisdom of all on the issues, review the options, and make recommendations with a view to enable decisions to be reached at the MTM and ICW meetings.

These propositions were discussed in plenary and adopted with the following clarifications:

• TAC will set out its work program for implementing the propositions and circulate it to all as soon as possible;
• The Group accepts that the complexity of the issues may require more time than is presently anticipated but it is the decision of the Group to move with all deliberate speed;
• The Group requests that the MTM Agenda be structured to allow adequate time for a full discussion of the TAC report.

Leadership Succession. In his opening remarks, the Chairman reviewed various options on leadership succession and suggested that the Consultative Council meet, under the chairmanship of Mr. Carsalade, to discuss these.

Mr. Carsalade informed the Consultative Council, and subsequently the Group, that prior to the Consultative Council meeting he and CBC Chair Wally Falcon had met Mr. Sven Sandstrom, Acting President of the World Bank, to seek clarification of the World Bank’s position on issues connected with the succession and leadership of the CGIAR. Mr. Carsalade reported that Mr. Sandstrom had informed them as follows:

• The World Bank is fully committed to providing the CGIAR with continuing support, and with providing the CGIAR with leadership at the level of Vice-President;
• The Bank proposes that Mr. Ismail Serageldin, the Bank’s Vice-President for Special Programs, should continue as CGIAR Chairman for up to 2 years, with full institutional backing from the Bank;
• Mr. Serageldin will spend 50 percent of his time as Vice-President with the CGIAR, and the rest of his time on World Bank responsibilities;
• At the end of his term, Mr. Serageldin will be succeeded by Mr. Ian Johnson, Vice-President for Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Development (ESSD), who is not available at the present time to assume duties with the CGIAR;
• During the remainder of Mr. Serageldin’s chairmanship, the new Executive Secretary will be recruited and will be more closely integrated with the ESSD Vice-Presidency. The Bank wishes the recruitment process to be transparent and favors a process similar to what was followed in the recent selection of the TAC Chair;
• The successor to Mr. Alexander McCalla, Director of Rural Development Department (RDV) will be named shortly, and will function as the Bank’s Cosponsor.

After a full and frank discussion the Group endorsed the conclusions of the Consultative Council and reached the following consensus:

• The Group welcomed the commitment of the World Bank to continue supporting the CGIAR and to provide the CGIAR with leadership at the level of Vice-President;
• The Group welcomed the continuation of Mr. Ismail Serageldin as Chairman of the CGIAR, as outlined by Mr. Sandstrom;
• Actions required as a consequence of the Bank’s proposal should involve all the normal structures of the CGIAR, in particular the Oversight Committee;
• In all matters, the CGIAR System should work within established institutional structures, and enhance the culture of consultation and transparency.

Longer Term Financing. At MTM99, the CGIAR endorsed the proposal by the Consultative Council to prepare a longer term financing framework and resource mobilization/public awareness structure for its implementation. The CGIAR Finance Committee Chair, Alex McCalla, is leading the effort. The Finance Committee has engaged John Riggan, President of the Conservation Company, whose work is guided by a working group representing key constituencies.

Mr. Riggan presented the draft report to the Group. The report proposed that the CGIAR longer term financing strategy should be based on the continuation of ODA funding with some proportion being supported by non-ODA funding from DAC countries, expansion of Southern financial participation, and a special effort to solicit private philanthropy. The report also proposed that a single mechanism, such as a foundation, be established to harmonize, but not centralize, the numerous and multi-level public awareness and resource mobilization activities and to implement new initiatives. This would build on the existing strengths and collaborations such as Future Harvest. A final report is expected at MTM2000.

The Group unanimously affirmed the need for an expanded public awareness effort in the CGIAR and its relevance for resource mobilization. The tentative name for the harmonized public awareness/resource mobilization entity is Future Harvest: the CGIAR Foundation. The Group agreed that the working group should be continued until MTM2000 and that Mr. McCalla should continue to chair it until MTM2000.

Recommendations of CGIAR Committees. The Group received reports and endorsed recommendations from the Cosponsors and the Finance, Oversight, Private Sector, Non-Governmental Organization, Center Board Chairs, Center Directors, and Technical Advisory (TAC) Committees.

1999 Funding Update. The Group received a report from the Finance Committee Chair on the expected 1999 financial outcome. At the aggregate level, the 1999 financial outcome of $340 million is in line with the level approved at ICW98. Fourteen centers will be fully funded in 1999. Lagging disbursements, however, continue to be cause for concern.

The 2000 Financing Plan. The Group adopted the Finance Committee's recommendations on the financing plan for the 2000 research agenda. Center financing plans were endorsed at identified levels and an overall CGIAR financing plan of $340 million was approved.

Finance Chair Alex McCalla announced that the Bank's senior management has authorized continuation of the Bank's support at current levels for three years, subject to annual Board approval, which is a vote of confidence in the CGIAR.

Regarding the World Bank's contribution of $45 million, the Group adopted the following recommendations:

• $37.2 million will be used as matching funds to centers. Ninety percent of the matching amount will be disbursed in January 2000. The Group will authorize disbursement of the remaining 10 percent at MTM2000.
• $1 million will be used for CGIAR partnership committees.
• $3.4 million will be allocated to support systemwide programs. Of this, $1.5 million will be allocated for ICRAF, IITA, and IPGRI. Decisions on allocating the balance of $1.9 million will be made at MTM2000 in consultation with TAC.
• $3.4 million will be set aside to cope with unexpected problems in 2000. Of this, $0.25 million is allocated to CIMMYT to rebuild the tropical maize station. Decisions on allocating the balance of $3.15 million will be made at MTM2000.

The Group endorsed the Finance Committee's recommendation that Committee chairmanship and membership should be rotated. Canada was elected to a one-year term as chair. Over the next twelve months, the European Commission, Australia, Sweden, India, and Egypt are due to retire from the Finance Committee. Switzerland, Brazil, and Nigeria are the new incoming members. Australia and Sweden will continue on the committee until ICW00.

Setting the 2001 Research Agenda

The TAC Chair gave a preliminary report on 2001 research directions. The Group will consider and make decisions on the 2001 research agenda at MTM2000. Center proposals for 2001, prepared using the CGIAR Logical Framework approved at ICW98, will be viewed in the context of the 2001-2003 medium-term plans..

Future Meetings