CGIAR Mid Term Meeting, Brasilia, Brazil, May 25-29, 1998: Summary of Proceedings and Decisions

Summary report of the mid term meeting of the CGIAR held in Brasilia, Brazil, May 25-29, 1998, chaired by Ismail Serageldin. The meeting was formally opened by President Cardoso of Brazil. Uganda became the 20th CGIAR member from the South. Maurice Strong presented a progress report on the System review.The Group accepted the reports of expert panels on general issues in biotechnology and proprietary science and technology. It agreed to establish a central advisory capacity on biotechnology, IPR, and genetic resources; to adopt a set of ethical principles regarding genetic resources (annexed); that centers would audit their use of MTAs and IPR; that centers should review with FAO their agreements covering germplasm collections; and that the CGIAR should help convene a genome meeting. The Group received a set of guidance for centers to follow in dealing with biotechnology, IPR, and genetic resources issues, to be reviewed again at ICW98. The roles of CGIAR members and centers in policymaking on these issues were discussed.The CGIAR asked the Oversight Committee, with the CGIAR Secretariat, to improve governance and streamline the CGIAR's way of doing business. It approved a Finance Committee report forecasting funding about 2% below the financing plan for 1998, and joint recommendations with TAC for the 1999 Research Agenda. The Group asked the Finance Committee to move from crisis management to a more strategic approach. It also approved support for efforts to address gender staffing, and additional diversity issues. The CGIAR accepted the external program and management reviews (EPMRs) of CIMMYT, IFPRI, and IRRI, and a report by ICRISAT on follow up to its EPMR. The Group heard two presentations the implications of climate change, and received reports from the GFSC, its NGO and Private Sector Committees, the cosponsors, the Oversight Committee, TAC and the IAEG. Annexes include the agenda, and lists of documents and participants.