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.

Ethics & Business Conduct

The Ethics and Business Conduct (“EBC”) office was established in July 2021. The role of EBC is to promote an ethical organizational culture based on CGIAR Core Values of Integrity, Dignity and Respect, Sustainability, Excellence and Innovation, and Partnership, as set forth in the CGIAR Ethics Framework. EBC is governed by the principles of independence, confidentiality, impartiality and professionalism, and is available to all CGIAR staff who require ethics related guidance and assistance.

EBC serves as a trusted consultative resource available for all CGIAR staff and provides a place where staff may confidentially raise concerns and seek confidential advice and guidance. EBC’s advice ranges from managing potential conflicts of interest before they escalate into potential misconduct and wrongdoing to helping staff navigate through the various processes available to them to confront interpersonal issues.

In 2023, EBC’s focus on training and outreach shifted progressively from being demand-driven to becoming more proactive, needs-specific, and targeted. EBC tried to engage all stakeholders of the organization through various activities and initiatives.

Different channels continue to be available for reporting complaints with some Centers conducting their own investigations whilst others delegate them to EBC. Interpersonal misconduct against senior staff formed most of the complaints received, with very little financial irregularities and research misconduct reports. EBC is working on standardizing the way investigations are carried out across CGIAR and aligning with international best practices, since becoming a member of the Conference for International Investigators network in February 2023.

During 2023, EBC created a portal dedicated to all IREC/IRB and other Research Ethics professionals across CGIAR Centers. The portal was created to form a platform for pooling experiences and as a repository of existing policies, templates, and other information on the theme of Research. In early 2023, EBC also obtained budgetary and P&C approval to appoint a Research Ethics Senior Officer (RESO). Following an internal recruitment process, a candidate from a Center was chosen to fill the role, however, the recruitment was put on pause in early 2024, subject to the Organization's Unified Governance Review (UGR)/Integration Coordination Independence (ICI) process.

Commencing November 2022, EBC drafted and engaged in a robust consultative and collaborative process to develop an initial round of system-wide ethics policies consisting of a (1) Code of Conduct (2) Anti-Harassment Policy (3) Safeguarding Policy and (4) Whistleblower Policy. However, despite approval and adoption by the System Board and System Council in February 2023, there appears to be limited adoption by Centers. Post UGR, EBC was identified as a priority area for integration and we hope that in 2024 there will be agreement on the form integration will take. With this in mind, EBC is committed to a new fit for purpose approach to the next round of policies and a redraft of initial policies.

For more information on EBC highlights for 2023, visit CGIAR-Annual-Report-Final-12192023-Interactive.pdf