CGIAR Science Week Concludes with Strong Call for Sustainable Food Systems
Nairobi Event Highlights Agricultural Innovation and Partnerships
Nairobi, Kenya – The inaugural CGIAR Science Week concluded successfully after a week-long focus on advancing agricultural science, fostering innovation, and strengthening global partnerships. The event, held at the United Nations Campus in Gigiri, brought together leading researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders to address critical challenges in food system transformation.
Commitment to Sustainable Food Systems
Ismahane Elouafi, CGIAR’s Executive Managing Director, emphasized the event’s significance: “We’ve explored groundbreaking research, forged new collaborations, and reaffirmed our commitment to creating sustainable, resilient, and equitable food systems.” She highlighted CGIAR’s mission to empower smallholder farmers who produce 85% of the world’s food.
KALRO Director General Eliud Kireger noted: “Science Week highlighted both our successes and the gaps we must address. This conversation is just beginning.” The event, co-hosted by KALRO, showcased how local partnerships drive relevant, impactful solutions.
Key Achievements and Innovations
The week saw several landmark developments:
- Launch of CGIAR Research Portfolio building on 50 years of agricultural science
- CIMMYT-IICA agreement to accelerate innovation in the Americas
- KALRO-CIP partnership for blight-resistant potato technology
- IWMI Strategy 2024-2030 for East African water security
- CGIAR-AGRA MOU to scale African agricultural innovations
Science as the Solution
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed stressed: “With one-third of the global population food insecure, science must drive our solutions.” Discussions emphasized the need for sustained research funding, with World Bank data showing $10 returns for every $1 invested in CGIAR.
The event concluded with calls for $4 billion in investments (2025-2027) to transform food systems through science and innovation. As climate and food pressures mount, Science Week demonstrated how collaborative research can turn insights into tangible impact for global food security.
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