Ismahane Elouafi on TIME100 list of the most influential people in the world

CGIAR is delighted to announce that CGIAR Executive Managing Director, Ismahane Elouafi has been named on the 2025  TIME100 list of the worlds 100 most influential people.

Each year TIME100 celebrates activists, leaders, science experts, and artists shaping the future of our world and transforming lives. This prestigious distinction celebrates how Elouafi’s visionary leadership in shaping agricultural innovation strengthens the livelihoods of millions of global smallholder farmers.

The recognition arrives at a crucial time when agriculture faces challenges like climate change, population growth, declining biodiversity, conflict, poor agricultural practices, and reduced research funding, highlighting the need for transformation.

In the face of this complex landscape, Elouafi is widely recognized for her leadership at CGIAR, where she is driving efforts to strengthen global food security and nutrition by systemically transforming how we produce food while protecting the environment for sustainable agriculture. Dr Elouafi also stands out as a champion for the diversification of agriculture via forgotten crops such as legumes and pulses, her strong voice on the use of non-fresh water in agriculture, and her global leadership in the empowerment of women in science.

“It is an incredible honor to receive this recognition. It belongs to the dedicated scientists at CGIAR, our partners and funders who support us, and the millions of smallholder farmers guiding our work towards global food security,” said Elouafi, “Yet I worry about the capacity of our research to fulfill our goals within an uncertain funding environment. Global food security concerns us all.”

The TIME100 honor joins a long list of accolades bestowed upon Elouafi including the National Reward Medal by King Mohamed VI  of Morocco, the Excellence in Science Award from the Global Thinkers Forum, and the Jean Mayer Prize for Excellence in Nutrition Science and Policy 

She has held several senior scientific and leadership positions including the Chief Scientist at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the Director General at the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA).

As well as her leadership for CGIAR, Elouafi is a distinguished scientist whose work on halophytes like quinoa and Salicornia had a major impact on food security and sustainability in countries facing salinity issues. Her research into wheat genetics significantly contributed to enhancing the resilience and productivity of crops in wheat cultivation regions.

“I see firsthand the impact of today’s challenges on global farming communities.” Elouafi said, “So I am delighted with this recognition as a powerful signal to the world that agricultural innovation can and must be part of the solution. I hope this honor inspires others, and especially women and young people, to be bold about the agricultural change they want to lead, working alongside the farmers at the forefront of the crises who hold the deepest knowledge of the challenges they face.”

Elouafi will receive her award at the annual TIME100 Gala in New York City, alongside 300 guests including many current and former TIME100 members, bringing together the world’s leading figures in politics, technology, science, philanthropy, media, business, and entertainment, and attracting worldwide media coverage.

The full list and related tributes appear in the April 28, 2025, issue of TIME, available on newsstands on Friday, April 18, and now at  time.com/time100.