2023 CGIAR Annual
Report

In 2023, CGIAR and its valued partners around the world continued to pioneer and deliver solutions addressing the most urgent challenges, while partnering to deliver and scale impact.”

Leaders' Message

Advancing Nutrition, Health, and Food Security

CGIAR Executive Managing Director Ismahane Elouafi and CGIAR System Board Chair Lindiwe Majele Sibanda highlight 2023 key achievements, and preview the report’s theme of nutrition, health, and food security.

Portfolio & Results

Our 2023 Annual Report highlights the significant strides made by CGIAR in our ongoing mission to transform food, land, and water systems in a climate crisis. This year’s report theme focuses on a critical aspect central to our goals: nutrition, health, and food security. Please explore our results across our three Science Groups (and their 32 Research Initiatives), Regional Integrated Initiatives, our coordinating Impact Areas, and our Research Centers.

Key results stories

Center Success Stories

Impact Areas

In collaboration with around 3,000 partners, CGIAR advances the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by targeting five key Impact Areas. Each Impact Area Platform focuses on research and innovation aimed at achieving significant, enduring, and scalable impacts.

Our Impact in Numbers

Slide for more impacts

Nutrition

people

2.1 million people

Over 2.1 million people in 2023 used CGIAR innovations to support nutrition, health, and food security. 

business

1,786 partners

We worked with 1,786 partners to combat hunger and malnutrition, and improve well-being. 

results

2,942 results

Our research produced 2,942 results contributing to better health, and enhanced food and nutrition security. 

innovation

464 innovations

We produced 464 innovations to support health and combat hunger. 

Climate

people

22.4 million people

More than 22.4 million people used CGIAR innovations to mitigate or adapt to climate change. This included more than 1.3 million and 1.8 million men. 

business

1,887 partners

Up to 1,887 partners were engaged on climate-focused results at the ground level. 

results

4,505 results

Our scientists produced more than 4,505 results that contributed to SDG 13 on Climate Action, including publications, analyses and methods. 

innovation

548 climate solutions

At least 548 field-ready climate solutions were shared to help smallholders adapt to climate change and reduce emissions from agriculture. 

Environment

people

1.2 million people

Over 1.2 million people used CGIAR innovations to improve environmental health and biodiversity. 

business

1,813 partners

A total of 1,813 partners worked with us on supporting conservation of biodiversity and a healthy environment. 

results

2,460 results

Our researchers produced 2,460 results contributing to SDGs 14 and 15 on life below water, and life on land.

innovation

504 new innovations

Our researchers produced around 504 new innovations to support environmental health and biodiversity worldwide.

Gender

people

16 million people

More than 16 million people used CGIAR innovations to support gender equality, youth, and social inclusion. 

business

1,594 partners

Up to 1,594 partners were engaged with efforts for equality and inclusion on the ground. 

results

1,028 results

As many as 1028 results were recorded that contributed to SDG 10 on reduced inequalities. 

innovation

413 innovations

Research produced around 413 innovations supporting greater equality between men and women, and inclusion of youth and other minorities in food systems. 

Poverty

people

21 million people

Over 21 million people used CGIAR innovations to support poverty reduction, livelihoods and jobs.

business

1,821 partners

As many as 1,821 partners worked with us on transforming food systems to provide better jobs, income, and stable livelihoods. 

results

4,767 results

We recorded up to 4,767 results that contributed to SDG 1 on ending poverty in all its forms. 

innovation

394 innovations

Our research produced 394 innovations to reduce poverty and improve livelihoods. 

Regions & Partnerships

With around 3,000 partners, collaboration is essential to CGIAR’s approach. We work with small-scale farmers and associations, national universities and governments, global networks, and more. CGIAR engages across six key regions, aligning its strengths with regional needs. Please also explore an expanded focus on two key countries: Ghana and Guatemala.

Regions

Partnerships

Countries Focus

Digital Transformation

CGIAR integrates cutting-edge digital solutions into our scientific innovations. And we use digital technologies to enable our business units and research programs. In 2023, we made substantial advances in deploying digital solutions that will help us tackle global challenges.

Events & Awards

Explore a selection of CGIAR Centers and researchers awarded for their outstanding work, along with highlights from our key global event participation in 2023.

Our Operations

Our operations teams are committed to ensuring CGIAR is a value-driven, high-performing organization. In 2023, CGIAR made progress ensuring we are an inclusive and enabling organization, a transparent financial manager, and an effective manager of digital and data assets.

Oversight & Assurance

CGIAR’s Advisory Services, Internal Audit, and Ethics & Business Conduct teams are crucial in ensuring that best practices are maintained within our organization and in our external collaborations.

Advisory Services

The Independent Advisory and Evaluation Service (IAES) provides operational support for two independent advisory bodies, the Independent Science for Development Council (ISDC) and the Standing Panel on Impact Assessment (SPIA). Further, IAES implements CGIAR’s multi-year, independent evaluation plan as approved by the System Council.

In 2023, ISDC experienced a dynamic year, during which it contributed significantly to CGIAR’s Portfolio evolution in 2024 and delivered key commissioned research on megatrends. SPIA secured approval for a new plan extending until 2030 while successfully navigating the penultimate year of the 2019–2024 work plan, focusing on country reach and causal evidence studies. IAES’s Evaluation Function completed the full cycle of System Council-commissioned program and platform evaluations for 2016–2021. Section 7.1 provides key 2023 achievements per independent advisory workstream, with more details here and all deliverables available on the https://iaes.cgiar.org/

ISDC Achievements

ISDC coordinated with CGIAR leadership, anticipating a moderated review of proposals under Portfolio25 in 2024. The Council rendered a comparative advantage (CA) analysis technical note into podcasts and videos to enhance understanding of the CA concept. ISDC also conducted a megatrends project that yielded a discussion paper outlining nine implications crucial for the evolution of CGIAR’s Research and Innovation Strategy. Additionally, ISDC hosted a science forum during the 19th System Council meeting, focusing on megatrends impacting gender equality, youth, and social inclusion. ISDC also published a perspective piece in npj Sustainable Agriculture (a Nature publication) that explored some of the interlinked concepts it has used in advising CGIAR.

Links to key deliverables

SPIA Achievements

SPIA progressed as planned with its 2019–2024 work plan, while also securing approval for a new operational model and the 2023–2030 work plan. The panel organized webinars and published guidelines on remote sensing for impact assessment to strengthen the methods base for the SPIA approach. SPIA made significant strides in collecting diffusion data in Bangladesh and Viet Nam and published a report on the adoption of improved rice cultivars and sustainable practices. The panel expects to publish reports from country studies in Ethiopia and Uganda in 2024. In 2023, study teams completed three accountability and two learning studies commissioned by SPIA.

Links to key deliverables

IAES/Evaluation Function Achievements

The Evaluation Function of IAES work continued, focusing on operationalizing the CGIAR Evaluation Framework and Policy, with an increasingly dedicated emphasis on knowledge management. Evaluative engagements addressed assurance and ‘evaluability,’ such as the Performance and Results Management System (PRMS) advisory engagement. Platform evaluations for GENDER and Genebanks concluded, providing transitional and forward-looking recommendations for the ongoing CGIAR Portfolio revision. The translation of key documents into Spanish and the convening of a Spanish-language knowledge-sharing event by IAES and ISDC highlighted efforts toward inclusivity and capacity sharing. The process evaluation included an advisory activity in partnership with Internal Audit on CGIAR’s PRMS.

Links to key deliverables

Conclusion

The 2023 efforts of ISDC, SPIA, and IAES/Evaluation Function, underpinned by IAES operational support, reflect a productive year providing independent advising and evaluative and impact evidence in CGIAR’s research and innovation landscape. A dedication to inclusivity, knowledge sharing, and effective governance helps to support CGIAR’s continued success in the coming years.