CGIAR System Structure

The CGIAR System is a regularly interacting and interdependent network of independent institutions that form a complex whole, and are committed to a common cause.

The primary institutions in the System are:

the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR/the Group);
an independent Science Council; and
15 international agricultural research Centers.

The three components of the CGIAR System are interdependent. They are supported by the Executive Council (ExCo) of the System, a broad range of partners, various standing committees, and the System Office, a "virtual" combination of service units.

The Chair of the CGIAR, usually a Vice President of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank/Bank), is nominated by the President of the World Bank to lead the CGIAR, when endorsed by the CGIAR.

The Director of the CGIAR, selected through an international search process, who functions as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the CGIAR. He/she heads the CGIAR Secretariat.

Components of the CGIAR System collaborate to support and carry out agricultural research of the highest quality, in order to ensure that agricultural science and technology contribute significantly to sustainable development.

Each part of the System performs a distinct set of functions, based on its role, responsibilities, competencies and interests. These functions are mutually supportive and complementary, i.e. the components are interdependent and the whole is far greater than the sum of the parts, thereby providing the CGIAR with its systemic character.

The Charter
The "Charter of the CGIAR System" (short form: The Charter) sets down the roles, responsibilities and functions of the main organs of the CGIAR, including eligibility for Membership in the Group and conditions of Membership. The Annex to the Charter contains the Rules of Procedure of the main organs. The internal rules and regulations of the Centers are outlined in the Annex but because each Center has its own Constitution and Host Country Agreement, the details of each Center are available directly from them.

Click here to read the Charter.

Click here to read the Reference Guides for Boards of Trustees of the Centers.