CGIAR International Centers Week, Washington, DC,October 25-29, 1993: Summary of Proceedings and Decisions

Summary report of the annual meeting of the CGIAR held October 25-29, 1993, in Washington DC, V. Rajagopalan presiding. Ismail Serageldin was accepted to succeed Rajagopalan as CGIAR Chairman. The Cosponsors undertook to search for and select a TAC Chairman to replace Alex McCalla. Per Pinstrup-Andersen, Director General of IFPRI reported on world food trends. James Gustave Speth, Administrator of UNDP, delivered the annual Sir John Crawford Memorial lecture on the subject of sustainable food security. Panel discussions addressed intellectual property and plant genetic resources.The Group discussed Chapter 13 of the TAC priorities study "Implications of TAC's Recommendations on Priorities for Future CGIAR Strategies and Structure" and TAC's recommendations on IARC medium term plans. It endorsed the principles underlying revised Chapter 13, approved in principle the approach proposed, agreed with TAC suggestions for stripe reviews, and requested TAC to examine present programs in the light of current funding levels and propose options for restructuring at MTM94. Donors pledged in the range of $220 to $225 million, against an approved 1994 program of $229 million.The CGIAR endorsed the main thrust and recommendations of the EPMR of ICARDA; it asked the Oversight Committee to examine the process for CGIAR consideration of reviews. John Dillon, chair of the ICLARM board, reported on internal reform at the center following a management crisis. The Group decided on steps to follow up on Agenda 21, with an emphasis on finding incremental funding. It commended progress in integrating INIBAP's program into IBPGR, and invited the Rockefeller Foundation to implement the creation of a new livestock center. It heard and acted on reports from the Finance and Oversight Committees, and received reports from the CBC and the CDC.Annexes: Agenda; Chairman's Opening and Closing Statements; Report on Panel Discussions,; List of Participants