On 12-13 September 2011, the French Presidency of the G20 gathered agricultural research experts for the first ever G20 International Conference on Agriculture Research for Development.
Following the conference, the Agreement establishing the Consortium as an international organisation was signed on 13th September by the French Minister of Cooperation, Mr. Henri de Raincourt, and by H.E. Sem Laszlo Trocsanyi, Ambassador of Hungary.
The Agreement is now open for signature in Paris before its ratification. This new status reflects the fact that ensuring global food security has to be done through a global partnership.
With one billion people going to bed hungry everyday and food prices reaching a historical peak, it is essential that agricultural experts from the G20 countries and global organizations such as CGIAR work in partnership for a better impact on farmers in developing countries.
Agricultural research for development brings concrete solutions to the fight against hunger and poverty across the world but we need to do more. We must work in partnership with development organizations, institutions, the civil society and the farmers, who are at the forefront of global food security.
The Global Rice Science Partnership initiated by CGIAR, Center for International Research on Agriculture for Development (CIRAD), Institute of Research for Development (IRD) and Japan is an example of global partnership which will have an important impact on farmers and consumers. It aims to sustainably increase yields and improve efficiency along the rice value chain to reduce losses and negative impacts on the environment.
“The CGIAR is launching a series of high-quality international research programs with clear objectives of poverty and hunger reduction, improvements in health and nutrition, and enhanced resilience of the world’s ecosystems. This is a global campaign to secure the world’s food supply within 25 years“, says Mr. Carlos Pérez del Castillo, Chair of the Board of the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers.
The Consortium was formed recently as part of a CGIAR reform in order to better coordinate the research efforts and ensure a better impact on hunger and poverty reduction.
Since March 2011, the headquarters of the consortium of the 15 CGIAR research centers have been located at Agropolis International campus in Montpellier, next to other important research for development organizations such as CIRAD and IRD.
(Photo credit: Agropolis International)