CGIAR and IAEA partner to tackle global food security and climate challenges

Baku, Azerbaijan— CGIAR and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have formalized a landmark partnership, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that underscores their shared commitment to addressing urgent global challenges in agriculture and food security. The agreement, signed during a high-profile event at the Climate COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, sets the stage for collaborative efforts to create resilient agrifood systems in the face of escalating climate change impacts.

This renewed partnership brings together CGIAR’s decades of expertise in agricultural research and innovation with the IAEA’s advanced knowledge in nuclear science and technology. Together, the organizations aim to accelerate the development of cutting-edge solutions that address hunger, malnutrition, and climate-related threats to global food systems.

“The figures are stark: 800 million people suffer from hunger, and 350 million are affected by extreme hunger,” said Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Managing Director of CGIAR, at the signing ceremony. “As global temperatures rise, millions more are at risk. But through science and collaboration, we have the tools to make a difference.”

A strategic collaboration
The MoU focuses on applying science, technology, and innovation (STI) to critical areas such as crop improvement, soil health, water management, livestock health, and food safety. By pooling their resources and expertise, CGIAR and IAEA aim to fast-track the delivery of impactful solutions to communities most in need.

The partnership highlights several transformative projects already underway, showcasing the potential of science and technology to create real-world impact:

• Resilient crops and biofortification: Nuclear techniques, including irradiation and precision genetics, have been used to create robust crop varieties like maize resistant to lethal diseases and biofortified rice. These innovations are helping combat malnutrition and improve food security in vulnerable regions.
• Advances in livestock management: Nuclear technologies are being employed to enhance feed efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve livestock genetics. These methods bolster productivity while addressing the environmental impact of livestock farming.
• Soil and water optimization: Isotope analysis helps monitor soil erosion, nutrient cycles, and water use, enabling targeted strategies to restore soil fertility and conserve water—essential for supporting smallholder farmers in drought-prone areas.
• Climate Change Mitigation: Isotopic measurements identify greenhouse gas sources, guiding practices like optimized irrigation and reduced fertilizer use to minimize emissions. For example, identifying nitrous oxide emissions from cattle enclosures have enabled management strategies that enhance productivity while reducing emissions

“These initiatives are just a glimpse of what’s possible when science and innovation are put into action,” Elouafi noted. “Through this partnership, we aim to scale these solutions and ensure they are accessible to those who need them most.”

Watch the event: Harnessing Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) for Climate-Resilient Agrifood Systems at COP29, with CGIAR and IAEA

Looking forward
A central tenet of the CGIAR-IAEA collaboration is ensuring that new technologies reach smallholder farmers – the backbone of global agriculture. The MoU outlines key areas of focus, including joint research projects, capacity-building programs, and the exchange of scientists to foster innovation and knowledge sharing.

“We have been working with CGIAR for many years and together, we have proof of concept – that we can give to countries, we can give to donors, we can give to the financial institutions – that this can be scaled,” said Najat Mokhtar, IAEA Deputy Director General, at the event. ‘This will advance outcomes, this will benefit farmers, this will benefit people.”

As the global community grapples with the intertwined crises of climate change and food insecurity, the CGIAR-IAEA partnership represents a bold step toward a more sustainable future. By combining their expertise and resources, the two organizations aim to make a tangible difference in the lives of millions.

Photo: Najat Mokhtar, IAEA Deputy Director General and Ismahane Elouafi, CGIAR Executive Managing Director sign an agreement at COP29 to scale up sustainable nuclear driven solutions to address food security and climate change. Source: IAEA. Story by Adam Hunt, Senior Content Advisor, CGIAR