CGIAR Responsibilities for Genetic Resources
Future Reviews and Dynamics of the Review Process
Centres' Medium-Term Plans 1994-98: Priorities Among Ecoregional and Systemwide Initiatives
Livestock Research in the CGIAR
Future Structure of the CGIAR
Future Meetings
TAC considered the report of the Study Panel at a joint session with Centre Directors and expressed satisfaction that the Panel had adequately addressed the terms of reference, i.e.: to study ways in which the CGIAR discharges its responsibilities for genetic resources conservation, and as appropriate, to recommend options to TAC for a change in the CGIAR Strategy to recognise its place in a global system of biodiversity; as well as the list of specific issues for the Stripe Study.
The Panel had assessed the current state of genetic resources work in the CGIAR including: species coverage; in situ conservation; application of biotechnology; role of ecoregional research; databases; networks; and training. It had also considered legal matters of concern to the CGIAR and looked at future governance and funding for genetic resources activities.
TAC fully endorsed the Panel's recommendations for a unified CGIAR programme and strategy, standardized information management, databases, documentation and sustained future funding. With respect to future governance, TAC adopted a modified proposal by the Centre Directors' Committee (CDC) which was considered to meet the major objectives identified by the Stripe Study.
The Committee was informed that the IIMI review had been completed on schedule and that, at the request of IIMI's Board and Management, the report would be discussed at TAC 64 in June. The Committee noted that the main phases of the reviews of CIP, CIAT and IITA would be conducted from 23 January to 12 February 1995, from 1 to 20 February 1995, and from 10 to 30 April 1995, respectively. TAC also noted the progress made in the planning of the Mid-Term Review of ICLARM, to be conducted during March/April 1995, and in the implementation of the Inter-Centre Studies of the CGIAR commitments in West Africa, public policy and public management research, and roots and tubers research.
TAC discussed the progress made by the Standing Committee on External Reviews and the Inter-Secretariat Working Group on External Reviews in developing proposals for improving the external review process. The Committee agreed to finalize its deliberations on the review process at TAC 64, with a view to presenting its recommendations to the Group at ICW'94.
TAC re-affirmed its recommendation made in the 1994-98 medium-term resource allocation process that very high priority should be assigned to Systemwide initiatives, even in a situation of reduced funding. Systemwide initiatives had been proposed for implementing the ecoregional approach to research; for genetic resources, livestock research and water management. The Committee recommended that US$ 10 million of core funds should be assigned to these initiatives by 1998, even at lower aggregate funding levels. TAC also considered priorities among the ecoregional initiatives and recalled that its initial priority-ranking for ecoregions had been based primarily on demand considerations. TAC would finalize its views on priorities by ecoregion when the proposals for the Systemwide initiatives were submitted by the convening centres.
TAC discussed the report of the Rockefeller Foundation, the Implementing Agency for the establishment of a new International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). The discussion highlighted the need for further elaboration of a Systemwide strategy for livestock research within the CGIAR, as distinct from but encompassing a strategy statement for the Centre. The Committee also requested a more explicit articulation of the rationale and criteria used, not only to establish priorities among the Centre's research programmes, but also as it relates to the relative importance of the proposal for global and ecoregional research programmes and the necessary linkages between the two research agendas. TAC requested further elaboration of the proposals on inter-centre collaboration. The Committee also encouraged the Implementing Agency to broaden its consultations with national agricultural research systems (NARS) and with the relevant CGIAR Centres in its development of the Systemwide strategy statement. TAC emphasized that early resolution of the future of the new Institute was critically important for the retention of skilled staff at ILCA and ILRAD.
At ICW'93, the Group requested TAC to develop proposals for structural change in the CGIAR based on a critical examination of the present coverage of activities, regions, agroecological zones/ecoregions, production sectors and commodities. TAC was guided by a set of principles related to the CGIAR mission, goals, priorities and strategies, as well as to institutional attributes and opportunities for greater cost effectiveness on a Systemwide basis in its discussions. It proceeded to develop two scenarios for structural change. The first scenario conformed with TAC's long-term vision of the CGIAR as outlined in its 1990 report on a possible expansion of the CGIAR System. The work of the CGIAR would be re-organized to reflect its global responsibilities as well as regional and ecoregional ones. A second scenario would pave the way for the implementation of the first scenario. A paper would be prepared by the TAC Chair for discussion by the Group at MTM'94 in New Delhi.
The following dates and venues for future meetings of TAC were considered and approved:
|
TAC 64 |
20-26 June 1994 |
WARDA, Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire |
|
TAC 65 |
17-22 October 1994 |
IFPRI, Washington D.C., USA |
|
TAC 66 |
14-25 March 1995 |
CIP, Lima, Peru |
|
TAC 67 |
10-16 July 1995 |
ICRAF, Nairobi, Kenya |
|
TAC 68 |
11-17 March 1996 |
IRRI, Manila, Philippines |
