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Belgian Commitment to Agricultural Research
The Belgian government is forging the commitments required for achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, or MDGs. This was the straightforward message of high-level officials at a briefing on agricultural research for development, held at the Belgian Senate on May 2, 2006.
Speaking in the “Red” Senate Chamber, Mme. Anne-Marie Lizin, Senate President, noted that “renewal of agriculture to increase the incomes of poor farmers is vital if we are to combat poverty effectively and achieve the MDGs.” The Minister of the Middle Class and Agriculture, Mrs. Sabine Laruelle, outlined the kind of commitment needed to realize this aim. “Increased funding for agricultural research, at a rate of 2 percent per year, should be the driving force behind our effort to achieve the MDGs by 2015,” she said.
At the invitation of Mme. Anne-Marie Lizin, the briefing, attended by more than 70 people, was opened by CGIAR Chairman Ian Johnson, who gave a speech on agricultural research and global issues. Belgian Senator M. Pierre Galand, of the Special Commission on Globalization spoke about agricultural research for development policies, followed by Mme. Martine Van Dooren, Director General of the Directorate General of Development Cooperation. CGIAR Director Francisco Reifschneider spoke about the work and impact of the CGIAR in developing countries. Representing the 15 Centers of the CGIAR, Dr. Emile Frison, Director General of IPGRI, described the partnership between Belgium and the CGIAR, placing particular emphasis on its support for INIBAP. Prof. Dheda Djailo, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Kisangani in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, spoke on the challenges facing his country, highlighting Belgium’s contribution to its agricultural development.
The need for agricultural transformation there and elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa is of special concern to Belgium’s political leaders. An informal dialogue dealing with this challenge was held on May 3 with Belgian policy experts, government officials, scientists, NGO leaders and representatives of the CGIAR and its partners. The dialogue, hosted by the Ministry of Development Cooperation, highlighted an array of complex issues, including climate vulnerability, capacity strengthening, market access and public/private partnerships.
One of the follow-up activities agreed to was preparation of an action plan for increasing agricultural research in the DR Congo. This will be coordinated by Belgian colleagues, other members of the CGIAR and staff from Centers and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) at the next Annual General Meeting.
Emile Frison, Director General of IPGRI, Anne-Marie Lizin, President of Belgian Senate, Francisco Reifschneider, Director of CGIAR, Ian Johnson, Chairman of CGIAR. (Image taken by Guy Gossens, Belgian Senate Photographer) |
Francisco Reifschneider, Director of CGIAR speaking to Anne-Marie Lizin, President of Belgian Senate during the Briefing. (Image taken by Guy Gossens, Belgian Senate Photographer)
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(Image taken by Guy Gossens, Belgian Senate Photographer) |
Ian Jonson, CGIAR Chairman with Anne-Marie Lizin, President of Belgian Senate. (Image taken by Guy Gossens, Belgian Senate Photographer)
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