CGIAR Mid-Term Meeting, Nairobi, Kenya, May 22-26, 1995: Summary of Proceedings and Decisions

Abstract

Summary report of the mid-term meeting of the CGIAR held in Nairobi, Kenya, May 22-26, 1995, chaired by Ismail Serageldin. The publication has a different structure and format from past CGIAR meeting summaries. It reproduces as guidelines for MTM95 the Declaration and Action Plan from the Ministerial-level Meeting of February 1995. Z. T. Onyonka, Kenyan Minister of Research, Technical Training, and Technology, accompanied by Agriculture Minister Simeon Nyachae, opened the meeting (Annex II).The Group noted ongoing consultations among NARS representatives leading toward recommendations on how the NARS viewpoint could best be incorporated into CGIAR decision making. It encouraged its Chairman to continue efforts to establish NGO and private sector committees. The Group approved the new financial cycle, and endorsed the research agenda for 1996 recommended by TAC. It endorsed the recommendations of the Genetic Resources Policy Committee, encouraged it to continue its work, and approved a plan for participation in the continuing international dialogue, including the Conference of Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Group also approved the reports of the Task Forces on Sustainable Agriculture and Ecoregional Approaches to Research, and asked that their recommendations be considered in the next iteration of the CGIAR research agenda.The meeting decided to establish an Impact Assessment and Evaluation Group (IAEG) with terms of reference drawn from the Chairman's letter of April 6, 1995. It endorsed reports from two ad hoc committees which met in parallel session to consider external reviews of CIAT, CIP, and ICLARM, a report on CGIAR commitments in West Africa, and new terms of reference and guidelines for external reviews of centers. The CGIAR also endorsed the continuation of the Gender Program.Annexes: agenda, statement by Minister Onyonka, lists of documents and participants.