CGIAR International Centers Week, Washington, D.C., November 5-9, 1984: Main Conclusions Reached and Decisions Taken

Summary report of the meeting of the CGIAR held in the IMF auditorium November 5-9, 1984, S. Shahid Husain presiding. Summary of the plenary session not included. TAC Chairman Camus reported on TAC's progress in reviewing the priorities of the CGIAR. John Mellor, Director of IFPRI, presented a paper on the trends in the world food situation. J. Anderson reported on the study of the impact of CGIAR research, due to be completed a year hence. Discussion of the first part of the Integrative Report focussed on non-member agricultural research centers, restricted core, the burden reviews placed on the centers, and use of World Bank funding. There was preliminary discussion of plans for a third review of the CGIAR system.The CGIAR commended and urged completion of a paper by Lowell Hardin on the roles, relationships, and responsibilities of center trustees. It requested the CGIAR Secretariat to maintain a data bank of potential board members. Professor Camus reported on TAC 34 and 35. The Group decided to withhold approval of WARDA's 1985 budget pending further information on the implementation of EPR and EMR recommendations and progress by WARDA in dealing with its problems. Activities of the Board Chairs, the Center Directors, and the Special Activities account were reported. Richard Clifford described changes in the CGIAR resource allocation process proposed in the ongoing finance and budget study. The Group approved a bracket of financing for centers for 1985 as recommended in the Integrative Report and an interim three year financial plan. Donors pledged funds sufficient to cover the lower end of the bracket.The Group discussed an External Management Review (EMR) of ICARDA, and concurrent External Program and Management Reviews (EPR and EMR) of IFPRI and CIAT. It generally concurred with the conclusions of these five reports. A discussion of CGIAR public relations activities was postponed for lack of time.