The CGIAR Secretariat is the principal central service unit of the CGIAR system and is the focal point for relations with external partners, from legislative decision makers and scientific communities in the public and private sectors to civil society institutions and the general public. The following sections describe the key accomplishments of the CGIAR Secretariat in 2004.

Support to the Governance Organs of the CGIAR

In 2004, the CGIAR Secretariat continued to provide support to governance organs of the CGIAR, namely the CGIAR itself and the Executive Council (ExCo), the later met twice, in Montpellier and Rome. The CGIAR Annual General Meeting took place in Mexico City and attracted more than 1,000 participants. Moreover, the CGIAR Secretariat coordinated systemwide financial planning and reporting to ExCo and the CGIAR, managed CGIAR trust funds of several member countries, and disbursed a total of about US$170 million, including US$50 million from the World Bank.

Support to the Second Wave of the CGIAR Reform Program

In 2004 the CGIAR Secretariat focused on supporting the second wave of reforms of the CGIAR, including the following key reform initiatives:

• CGIAR charter. At the request of the CGIAR, the CGIAR Secretariat facilitated the drafting of the CGIAR charter. The charter was finalized, virtually adopted by the membership and endorsed at the Annual General Meeting. It describes the roles, responsibilities, functions, and procedures of the main organs of the CGIAR.
• Support to the CGIAR Working Group on Performance Measurement. The CGIAR Secretariat supported the work of the CGIAR Working Group on Performance Measurement. As a result, a new performance measurement system customized to CGIAR business needs was developed and will be piloted in 2005.
• Support to the CGIAR Sub-Saharan Africa task forces on structural and programmatic alignment. The CGIAR Secretariat facilitated the work of the CGIAR Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) task forces on structural and programmatic alignment. This effort included (1) the preparation of a desk study reviewing External Program and Management Reviews (EPMRs) recommendations on SSA programmatic and structural alignment and (2) the administration and analysis of a survey on CGIAR activities in SSA and on stakeholder perceptions about the CGIAR in Africa. A final report of the task force is under preparation.
• New CGIAR nominee process. In collaboration with the Committee of Center Board Chairs, an improved process for identifying and nominating the CGIAR nominee to center boards has been developed. The new process was endorsed by ExCo and approved by the CGIAR in 2004 and will be piloted in 2005 and 2006.
• Leadership development. With Harvard Business School, the CGIAR Secretariat organized a new leadership development program for the highest level leadership within the CGIAR. The first course took place in December 2004 in Boston, USA. More courses are planned.

Collaborative Communications and Resource Mobilization Activities

During 2004, the CGIAR Secretariat successfully completed a range of collaborative communication and resource mobilization activities. The Secretariat worked closely with the Future Harvest Alliance Office to organize the Centers and Members Day at the Annual General Meeting. It also collaborated with the SC Secretariat to design a logo, develop posters, and enhance the Science Council website. To further increase the focus on the Science Council's work, CGIAR News and the CGIAR Annual Report now have sections dedicated to contributions from the SC chairman.

On the resource mobilization front, the Secretariat held technical briefings for new European accession countries and sponsored initiatives in Europe and the United States such as the Global Open Food and Agriculture University. The Secretariat also sponsored briefings for center communications and resource mobilization staff on resource mobilization issues. The concept of the SO was promoted at the Annual General Meeting by staffing an exhibit booth and distributing program and publicity materials from the SO units to CGIAR members and center staff. Promotion continues in CGIAR News, where activities of the CAS-IP, CIO (including the ICT-KM Program) and SAS-HR units are covered regularly.

In its role as a partner, sponsor, and client to other SO units, the CGIAR Secretariat is involved in a number of activities across SO units. Some highlights are as follows:

• The CGIAR Secretariat has been collaborating with the SAS-HR and the G&D Units in the development of the First Level Leadership Development Program (FLDP). It also worked with both units to prepare the Senior Leadership Course in Boston in December 2004.
• The IAU, CIO, and G&D Units have been collaborating with the CGIAR Secretariat in its role as sponsor and client to all three units. In 2004 this entailed the Secretariat's provision of financial and strategic guidance. A CGIAR Secretariat representative continued to serve on the G&D Advisory Board and on the IAU Board of Sponsors.
• Traditionally, the SC and CGIAR Secretariats collaborate on matters of external center reviews and the consolidation of CGIAR center medium-term plans. In 2004, the International Rice Research Institute EPMR, the International Food Policy Research Institute EPMR, and the CIMMYT EPMR were jointly conducted and the 2004 CGIAR medium-term plan was prepared. In addition, both Secretariats collaborated closely in the development of the new CGIAR Performance Measurement System.

The Secretariat, guided by the SO Steering Committee, has been taking the lead in coordinating the functions of the SO. This work includes the organization of an SO planning workshop in September and the drafting of a new Integrated Operating Plan for 2004. These activities involve continual communication and consultation.