Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development (GCARD) 2010
Montpellier, France, March 28–31, 2010

The Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development (GCARD), to be held in Montpellier, France from March 28–31, 2010, will present a global action plan and strategy for improving agricultural research. This plan and strategy will be developed within a framework of needs and priorities identified through consultations with stakeholders from agricultural research around the world. The conference is expected to launch changes to reform agricultural research and innovation, particularly for the poor, and to enhance research resources.

GCARD is organized by the Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR), in collaboration with the Consortium of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and the Independent Science and Partnership Council (currently being established). This Conference replaces GFAR’s triennial conferences and the CGIAR’s Annual General Meetings.

GCARD has the following objectives:

• Agricultural research results must be accessible and relevant to the poor in developing countries.
• Research must be directed toward the right questions and based on the needs of resource-poor countries.
• The knowledge generated through research must be integrated into development thinking and practice.
• Funding systems must be linked to research and development outcomes.
• Effective pathways for innovation among multiple stakeholders must be created.
• International agricultural research systems must be effectively integrated with regional and national partners (NARS, government, private, and civil sectors) to meet national and subregional needs and impact development outcomes.

To implement this major initiative, GFAR collaborates with all stakeholders. It works through its core institutions and networks, which include six Regional Research Fora: the Association of Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East and North Africa (AARINENA), the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI), the Central Asia and the Caucasus Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (CACAARI), the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), the European Forum on Agricultural Research for Development (EFARD), and the Forum for the Americas on Agricultural Research and Technology Development (FORAGRO), which together represent national systems and institutions, the Alliance of CGIAR Centers, FAO, IFAD, farmers' organizations, civil society, the private sector, and donor organizations.

The GFAR Steering Committee appointed a GCARD Targeted Working Group chaired by World Food Prize Laureate Dr. Monty Jones. The group oversees the organization of the Conference and the consultation process leading up to it. The group is accountable to stakeholders through the GFAR Steering Committee.
Elements involved in the GCARD consultation process include:

1) Regional analyses, currently underway and expected to be completed by August 30, 2009. These analyses summarize existing national and regional research and reports on agricultural research and development needs and priorities. They serve to derive conclusions on regional needs in a global context. These results will be used to form the questions for the electronic consultations.

2) Electronic consultations are expected to be held in August–September 2009, and face-to-face meetings are to be concluded by mid-November 2009. These events are intended to capture diverse perspectives and define agricultural research priorities. They will help align research and innovation toward achieving development outcomes.

3) The CGIAR reform process currently underway involves reviewing global processes and evaluations to define the strategic activities of international centers. The CGIAR strategic frameworks and impact-focused programs are being integrated into the consultation process to ensure they are aligned, accountable, and relevant to national needs.

4) The Conference will take place from March 28–31, 2010, and is intended to bring together agricultural research stakeholders around a common agenda and to foster the necessary collaborations.

 

Overall, the four-day GCARD 2010 Conference program includes:

March 28, 2010
Exploring investment needs in agricultural research, innovation, and knowledge exchange systems. This day includes high-level consultations and focuses on changes in policy.

Summary: Day 1

March 29, 2010
Strengthening North–South cooperation using the Mediterranean Basin as an example. Also includes discussions on youth involvement in agricultural research and knowledge exchange.

Summary: Day 2

March 30, 2010
Development priorities and the potential role of research in achieving desired outcomes.

Summary: Day 3

March 31, 2010
Identifying possible solutions to the issues raised and outlining next steps. Participants will aim to define how AR4D stakeholders can work together to achieve development goals.

Summary: Day 4

5) Follow-up: The Conference will establish the foundation for the action plan and strategy of the renewed global AR4D system and will initiate new working arrangements through global collaboration. The policy, principles, and practices of the plan will be developed during 2010 through cycles of iteration, feedback, monitoring, and redirection. This process will culminate in the biennial GCARD Conference.