Inside the CGIAR - An Update on the Implementation of CGIAR Reforms

The design phase of the reforms is complete, and actions are now being taken to implement them, with the aim of transforming the CGIAR into a more open, effective and efficient partnership.

The reform process has advanced rapidly since the new model for the CGIAR was approved at its final Business Meeting, held at Washington, D.C., in December 2009. With the design phase complete, concrete actions to implement the agreed changes are advancing quickly. Major achievements and events related to the reform process so far in 2010 include the World Bank Board of Directors' approval of the establishment of the CGIAR Fund, the inaugural meeting of the Fund Council, the appointment of the full Consortium Board and its first meeting, and the first Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development. Steady progress is also being made in developing the Strategy and Results Framework, which will guide the development of a results-oriented research agenda for the new CGIAR.

The Fund Council's inaugural meeting took place on February 23 in Brussels. Agenda tems included the Rules of Procedure of the Fund Council, arrangements for independent evaluation in the new CGIAR, and the nomination and selection process for the Independent Science and Partnership Council. Click here for the meeting documents from the Fund Council.

The Consortium Board met for the first time on March 1-3 at the headquarters of the International Livestock Research Institute in Nairobi, Kenya. The Board addressed a broad agenda, including the development of the Strategy and Results Framework for the new CGIAR and Mega Programs to implement the strategy, recruitment of the Consortium CEO and the establishment of the Consortium Office. The Board defined the criteria by which it will evaluate proposals for Mega Programs. It also formed a Search and Selection Task Force to oversee recruitment of the Consortium CEO. Regarding the location of the Consortium Office, the Board narrowed the field to five locations - Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; New Delhi, India; Montpellier, France; Nairobi, Kenya; and Rome, Italy - and it designed a procedure for taking a final decision, which will be based on consultations at the highest levels of government.

An estimated 1,000 people gathered for the first Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development in Montpellier, including researchers, policymakers, farmers, donors, and members of civil society from every region of the world. The Global Conference sought to develop a new agricultural research-for-development (AR4D) architecture and reverse the trend of underinvestment in agricultural research. The initiative to address the agricultural research-for-development architecture linked closely with the reforms underway within the CGIAR. At the Global Conference, the Alliance of the CGIAR Centers presented a draft of the Strategy and Results Framework, which will guide the development of a results-oriented research agenda for the new CGIAR. Participants provided substantive feedback on the strategy through sessions focused on proposed thematic areas for Mega Programs, the research initiatives that will deliver the strategy. The day following the conference, the Consortium and donors convened for an informal consultation to determine how to take on board the feedback received. The views and insights from these discussions will inform the next draft of the Strategy and Results Framework.

The coming months are a critical time for the Strategy and Results Framework and initial proposals for the Mega Programs, with several key decision dates. On May 10, the Alliance will provide the Consortium with a final draft of the strategy and initial Mega Program proposals. The Consortium Board will then meet on May 24 to decide which Mega Programs will be submitted for consideration by funders. On July 15, the Funders Forum will meet to review the Strategy and Results Framework for approval. The Fund Council will then meet on July 16 to consider initial Mega Program proposals. The development of Mega Programs will continue, with more to be considered at the next Fund Council meeting in November 2010.

To learn more about the CGIAR reform process, visit http://www.cgiar.org/changemanagement/index.html

For further information on the first Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development, read the joint statement by CGIAR Fund Council Chair Katherine Sierra and Consortium Board Chair Carlos Pérez del Castillo: http://www.cgiar.org/changemanagement/embracingchange2/embracing_change_april8_2010.html