Report of the Fifteenth Meeting of the CGIAR Oversight Committee

Report of the fifteenth meeting of the CGIAR Oversight Committee, held in Brasilia on May 23, 24, and 27, 1998 in conjunction with the CGIAR Mid Term Meeting 1998. The report was presented orally at MTM98 by Committee Chairman Andrew Bennett, and this written version was circulated later.Under the heading 'Center Governance' the Committee considered the recently completed external program and management reviews (EPMR) of CIMMYT, IFPRI, and IRRI, and requested a briefing on the situation at CIFOR in the context of turbulence in Indonesia. Given the recurrent funding problems of a number of IARCs, the Committee pointed to the need for both forward planning, and flexibility on the part of IARCs in case funding shortfalls could not be resolved. It expressed alarm at a rumor the World Bank was preparing an exit strategy from the CGIAR. It encouraged centers to give regard to leadership and management as well as technical skills in recruiting for senior positions.Under 'System Governance' it reiterated the urgency of credible impact assessments, and requested the system review panel to advise how the CGIAR could facilitate effective integration of planning, monitoring, and evaluation. The Committee expressed concern over the likelihood of serious staff shortages in the TAC Secretariat, and urged the Co-sponsors to ensure continuity there.In connection with biotechnology, the committee asked the CGIAR Secretariat to investigate member liability for the conduct of IARCs, or the CGIAR. The Committee met with the system review panel, and prepared comments on the review which are attached as an annex. The Committee welcomed a request from the Chairman of the CGIAR to find ways to streamline the agenda and structure of future CGIAR meetings