New members of cgiar’s integrated partnership board to hold inaugural meeting

CGIAR is proud to announce the newly appointed members of its Integrated Partnership Board (IPB), who will hold their inaugural meeting on October 19-20, following their formal appointment by the CGIAR System Council on September 27, 2024. The IPB, which replaces the former System Board, will play a critical role in guiding CGIAR’s global efforts in agricultural research and innovation to tackle the world’s most pressing food security and environmental challenges. 

The members of the IPB bring a wealth of experience and expertise across a wide range of disciplines. They are committed to advancing CGIAR’s mission of transforming food, land, and water systems in a climate crisis. The new board members were nominated through a rigorous selection process, ensuring representation from across CGIAR’s diverse global stakeholder base. The composition of the new board underscores CGIAR’s dedication to a more integrated, collaborative approach to governance, strengthening the organization’s ability to achieve its goals. 

The first meeting of the IPB marked the beginning of this new phase in CGIAR’s governance, with the board members outlining their priorities for the coming year. These include deepening coordination across CGIAR centers, enhancing resource mobilization, and continuing to integrate climate resilience into CGIAR’s research agenda. The meeting also emphasized the importance of accelerating innovation and impact in the face of growing global challenges, from food insecurity to biodiversity loss. 

The establishment of the IPB follows the approval of key amendments to the Charter of the CGIAR System Organization and the CGIAR System Framework, which were formally adopted by the System Council, the General Assembly of Centers, and the System Board in September 2024. These governance reforms are part of a larger, ongoing effort to align CGIAR’s organizational structures with its strategic vision for greater effectiveness and collaboration. The amendments also mark the culmination of a process initiated in February 2023 with the Integration Framework Agreement (IFA), which laid the foundation for CGIAR’s unified governance model. 

“We are excited to welcome the new members of the Integrated Partnership Board, whose leadership and expertise will be invaluable as we work to enhance CGIAR’s impact,” said CGIAR Executive Managing Director, Ismahane Elouafi, “The IPB’s formation is a significant step in strengthening the alignment of our governance and operations, enabling us to better respond to global challenges and continue our mission to drive agricultural innovation.” 

CGIAR extends its gratitude to all those involved in the governance transition, including the System Council, System Board, General Assembly of Centers, CGIAR staff, and stakeholders, whose collaboration was crucial in achieving these reforms. 

Integrated Partnership Board Members  

Header Photo: Peter Kleinau via Unsplash