Lessons learnt from the Pilot Year 2004 Implementation of the CGIAR Performance Measurement System

The new CGIAR Performance Measurement (PM) System was piloted in 2005 with datafrom 2004. Overall, the exercise was a positive experience for all involved - on one side it helped Centers to better understand their own performance, and on the other side members expressed satisfaction with increased accountability and welcomed new information on performance which also helped in their funding allocation decisions. The CGIAR Secretariat and the Science Council’s joint assessment of the pilot experience indicate that the exercise has been useful for Members and Centers, but that several refinements are necessary. An improved PM System is expected to be in place for 2005. Experience shows that PM systems usually need calibration over time in order to enhance their validity and reliability. Therefore this document draws lessons learnt from the pilot PM exercise for refining the set of indicators and related definitions, instructions as well as the data collection process for the coming year. The paper is based on findings from the SC, the CGIAR Internal Audit Unit (IAU), the CGIAR Secretariat and feedback from Centers. The annex includes a summary table of the SC recommendations for implementing the CGIAR PM System in 2006 and beyond. This document was discussed at the Business Meeting at AGM2005

Bioengineering of Crops Could Help Feed the World: Crop Increases of 10-25 Percent Possible

News release on a CGIAR-World Bank report 'Bioengineering of Crops' describing the potential of agricultural bioengineering to increase crop yields by 10 to 25 percent over the next 30 years

Third Meeting of the Executive Council, September 24, 2002, Washington, DC: Summary Record of Proceedings

Summary record of proceedings of the third meeting of the Executive Council, held in Washington, DC on 24 September 2002. A report on the outcomes of the World Summit on Sustainable Development was followed by a description of the preparations for the 2002 Annual General Meeting in the Philippines. An update on the development of an integrated business plan for the System Office was followed by a presentation of the proposed 2003 financing plan, and briefings on the Executive Council Finance Committee's discussion of it. The financing plan was endorsed. The Chairs of the Executive Council Finance Program Committees summarized the committee's discussions on challenge program funding and Interim Science Council recommendations. Based largely on those recommendations, the Council endorsed the challenge programs on Water and Food, and Biofortified Crops for Improved Human Nutrition, while calling for further development of the Unlocking Genetic Diversity in Crops for the Resource-Poor Challenge Program. The Interim Science Council (ISC) Chair offered an overview of the Council's ongoing assessment of thirteen regular process challenge programs. Discussion of the review of the GRPC led to endorsement of most of the review report's recommendations, with suggestions as to GRPC's relationship with IPGRI's Genetic Resources Policy Unit and the planned CGIAR Science Council. The Executive Council endorsed the recommendations of the EPMR of CIP, while disagreement between the Finance and Program Committees over the future of ISNAR led the Council to call for a systematic consideration of alternative institutional arrangements for ISNAR's functions to be carried out. Minutes of the Finance and Program Committee's September 23 meetings are provided as annexes

The Role of Biotechnology in the CGIAR: A Report on the Highlights of a Stakeholders Consultation

Highlights of a consultation convened in Washington DC by CGIAR Chairman Ismail Serageldin on April 18, 1997 on the role of biotechnology in CGIAR research. Participants, who are listed, included chairs of various CGIAR committees, center directors, a center board chair, and representatives of the private sector, NGOs, NARS, CGIAR members, and scientists.Among the issues considered were the place of biotechnology in center research, the level of investment required, the modalities and partnerships that would be appropriate, intellectual property rights, and biosafety.Agenda document, CGIAR Mid Term Meeting, May 1997

CGIAR News - April 2003

April 2003 issue of CGIAR News, a newsletter on the CGIAR

A Partnership for Research and Development: The Netherlands and the CGIAR

CGIAR partnership brochure focusing on the partnership between the Netherlands and the CGIAR. A Dutch version has been catalogued separately

A Partnership for Research and Development: Brazil and the CGIAR

English version of the CGIAR partnership brochure "Brazil and the CGIAR". A Portuguese version has been catalogued separately

From 'Hunting' to Farming Fish - Rapid Production Increases are Possible

CGIAR news release on the role of fish in the diets of developing country populations and the potential proportion of human fish consumption that may come to be provided by fish farming and sea ranching over the next fifteen years

Assessing and Monitoring the Cost Effectiveness of International Agricultural Research

CGIAR Secretariat memorandum proposing a study to develop cost-benefit analyses and other methods of reviewing and evaluating the cost effectiveness of the research the CGIAR supports. The result would be used as a basis for clearer articulation of the returns on donor investments in research. Terms of reference are annexed Agenda document discussed at CGIAR meeting, October 1976

Review Procedures

Paper discussing various kinds of reviews of centers and proposing that there should be external scientific reviews. Agenda item presented at CGIAR Meeting, November 1972