Per Pinstrup-Andersen, Chairman of the new CGIAR Science Council opened the inaugural meeting by noting the high amount of attention the meeting was attracting. "Not only is there tremendous goodwill towards us but expectations are very high, both among donors and Centers," he said. "We will do everything we can to meet those expectations and we will ensure that we work in a transparent and consultative manner."

Nine members of the new Council and observers met at ICARDA to discuss setting CGIAR system priorities, the IRRI external program and management review, the recently completed biosafety study report, and to begin to determine future activities.

The Chairman introduced a wide ranging discussion on developing system priorities by proposing that a movement towards closer integration of priorities in the form of a small number of system priorities which together would provide a cohesive system program, might enhance the overall impact per dollar spent. He noted that this approach has been welcomed by donors and Centers alike. The Council will continue the discussion in a consultative manner.

Richard Flavell presented the highlights of a very positive review of IRRI, and Council members discussed ways in which implementation of recommendations might be monitored in an appropriate and effective manner.

The biosafety report prepared by Brian Johnson and Gabrielle Persley generated extensive discussions. The Report commends the CGIAR Centers on biosafety measures currently in place governing the experimental phase of work on living modified organisms and notes that most Centers are working closely with national governments in developing regulatory frameworks. However, Dr. Johnson and his panel propose that biosafety issues, in particular those concerned with preparing the risk assessments required to seek regulatory approval for the large-scale release of new genetically modified crops, need to be considered earlier in the project phase in order to make most efficient use of resources. A proposed workshop to discuss implementation of the Report's recommendations by the Centers and their partners will be considered by the Council.

The next meeting of the Council will be held in Rome in September.

All papers discussed during the inaugural meeting are available on www.sciencecouncil.cgiar.org.