The CGIAR Consortium is the world’s largest global agriculture research partnership aimed at reducing rural poverty and hunger. This week Uruguay became the first Latin American country to sign the ‘Agreement establishing the CGIAR Consortium as an International Organization‘.
The CGIAR Consortium achieved International Organization status back in March 2012. Mr. Carlos Perez del Castillo, the CGIAR Consortium Board Chair said “achieving International Organization status and recognition is a major step towards enabling the reformed CGIAR to deliver research resulting in real impact; improved food security, health and nutrition alongside sustainable management of natural resources”. International Organization status allows the CGIAR Consortium to operate as an independent organization, speak with one voice at an international level, establish better partnerships and raise awareness of its work at a time when agricultural research to secure a food secure future is vital.
Uruguay´s most important national agricultural research agency (INIA) has a long tradition of close cooperation with a wide range of regional and international agencies related to agricultural research. It is member of GFAR and CGIAR , and has also Chaired the Forum for Research and Development for Agriculture Technology in the Americas (FORAGRO). Relations with members of the CGIAR Consortium have included several collaborative projects involving: CIAT, CIP, CIMMYT, ICARDA, IFPRI and IRRI.
The signing took place during the opening session of GCARD 2, in Punta del Este, Uruguay. GCARD aims to develop a new global agricultural research system, driven by tangible development outcomes and bringing together all those involved in agriculture research for development (AR4D). Over the four day event, participants will build cooperation around key forward-looking agendas and plan joint actions.
By hosting GCARD2, and by signing the Agreement to establish CGIAR Consortium as an International Organization, Uruguay sends a strong and unambiguous message about its commitment and support to agricultural research at the international level. This commitment will contribute to the success of the CGIAR reform process - and help to ensure that international agricultural research for development has a greater impact on the ground to reduce rural poverty, improve food security, nutrition and health and to sustainably manage natural resources.
Photo credit: Bernardo
More information:
Read the Agreement Establishing the CGIAR Consortium as an International Organization
Other legal documents of CGIAR