CGIAR Mid Term Meeting, Paris, May 25-27, 1983: Main Conclusions Reached and Decisions Taken

Report of the CGIAR Mid Term Meeting held May 25-27 in Paris, France. The Chairman, Warren C. Baum, announced that S. Shahid Husain, Vice President of the World Bank Project Operations Staff, would take over the chairmanship of the CGIAR towards the end of 1983.TAC Chairman Guy Camus reported on TAC 30. Mr. Baum called the discussion of the CIMMYT external review the most extensive and substantive yet. Members praised CIMMYT, but insisted that the center implement changes. The cosponsors agreed to help CIMMYT deal with its international status in Mexico. The CGIAR accepted TAC's recommendation to transfer 50 special projects to restricted core in 1983 and subsequent years.Reed Hertford, Vice Chairman of the CBC, reported that the Board Chairs intended to meet more regularly, and raise issues with the Group. The Group supported management reviews, but urged that they be integrated with external reviews managed by TAC. Revised papers on CGIAR Secretariat proposals for a fund for administrative expenses and a stabilization mechanism would be discussed at ICW 1983.Finding a CGIAR Secretariat proposal on the impact study too ambitious, the Group decided to create an advisory committee for the study, and arrange for appointment of a study director. It was decided that centers would present their programs to ICW every other year, a schedule linked to their biennial budget process. In response to a report from Dieter Bommer, Assistant Director General of FAO, on plans for an international convention on plant genetic resources, the Group expressed concern and asked TAC to be prepared to consider how IBPGR might be affected. Dr. Bommer asked for contributions to support participation of developing country representatives in the CGIAR. He also confirmed that a recent reorganization at the FAO did not alter the commitment that the TAC Secretariat would report to the CGIAR through the Chairman of TAC.Annex: list of participants