The Central Asia and the Caucasus Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (CACAARI) is one of six regional fora that promote agricultural research for development as part of the Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR). CACAARI is an important link in the GFAR chain, bringing together agricultural scientists, farmers, activists and teachers from more than 40 national agricultural research institutions, 5 international centers and over 30 farmer organizations, NGOs and universities in the region. It is also a partner of the international CIARD movement for open access to agricultural knowledge.

 On 17-21 November, in Bishek, the capital of the Kyrgyz Republic, CACAARI hosted a landmark regional conference on Rural Advisory Services in Central Asia and the Caucasus. Co-organizers in these efforts included the Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS), the Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR), Modernising Extension and Advisory Services (MEAS), the International Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA) and International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).