The CGIAR Development Dialogues 2014 was held on 25 September at the Faculty House at Columbia University in New York. The Dialogues “focused global attention on the fundamental role of agriculture, forestry, fisheries, l andscapes and food systems, and demonstrated how these areas are fundamental to achieving the emerging UN Sustainable Development Goals.”
The signature day-long meeting took place alongside the UN General Assembly and the UN Climate Summit and was attended by more than 250 stakeholders that included donors, scientists, academics and research partners, policymakers, civil society organization representatives, industry players, media, and private sector representatives.
The theme of the meeting was “Delivering solutions to realize the sustainable development goals and global climate agenda.” Subthemes included Prosperous, food secure and resilient livelihoods; Healthier, innovative, capable and inclusive communities; New partnerships for development impact; and Climate change-resilient agroecosystems.
Keynote speakers during the opening session included Akin Adesina, the Nigerian Federal Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development; Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, UNFCC COP 20 President and Minister for the Environment of Peru; Tumusiime Rhoda-Peace, High Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, African Union; and Kanayo F. Nwanze, IFAD President. At the closing, the following were the keynote speakers: Johan Rockstrom, Director of the Stockholm Resilience Centre; Atsuyuki Oike, Ambassador, Director General for Global Issues, Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Rajendra Pachauri, Chairperson of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; and Gerda Verberg, Chair of the Committee on World Food Security.
The panel discussions and interactive discussion forums featured key players and leaders from international research and development organizations, donors, agriculture NGOs, governments and civil society, the private sector, among others. The conversations on global development were designed to take advantage of the key presence of these players at the important events in New York.
The meeting answered questions on how sustainable development can be achieved for the billions of people in the developing world engaged in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. It provided participants with the opportunity to “help shape agricultural research and development for tomorrow’s food systems, l andscapes, and rural economies.” At the end of the day, participants affirmed the need for CGIAR and partners to continue engaging scientists and policymakers in using science to address food security and development issues.
For more information, please contact:
Jeffrey T. Oliver, Jeffrey T. Oliver
About IITA, www.iita.org
IITA is one of the world’s leading research partners in finding solutions for hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. Its award-winning research for development (R4D) approach addresses the development needs of tropical countries. IITA works with partners to enhance crop quality and productivity, reduce producer and consumer risks, and generate wealth from agriculture. IITA is a nonprofit organization founded in 1967 and governed by a Board of Trustees. IITA works on the following crops: cowpea, soybean, banana/plantain, yam, cassava, and maize. IITA is a member of CGIAR, a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future.
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