Letter from CGIAR Chairman W. David Hopper to the Heads of CGIAR Delegations, September 2, 1988

Letter dated September 2, 1988 from CGIAR Chairman W. David Hopper to heads of delegations to the CGIAR, also distributed to the Group more broadly. The letter anticipated the discussions to take place at International Centers Week scheduled for October-November 1988.The overall purpose of the letter was to address the issue of resources for the CGIAR in the light of the changing situation faced by the Group. Hopper discussed the importance of the goals of increased production and sustainability of production, and the efforts being made to integrate the CGIAR mission with the aims of the Brundtland Commission Report. He suggested criteria to be used in considering the possibility of expanding the CGIAR to incorporate a number of currently non associated centers, as the Group had decided at its meeting in May 1988. He noted that funding was flat expressed in donor currencies, and was under pressure from a strengthening dollar. Flexibility was demonstrated by a number of center programs which had been faced with changed requirements. Greater flexibility, including trimming of less important work, would be needed to adjust to future challenges