2023 2023 CGIAR Annual
Report

In 2023, CGIAR maintained its presence at impactful global events, delivering science and innovation to key decision-makers, scientists, and leaders.

Historically, CGIAR has utilized international forums to disseminate cutting-edge research and innovations, influence policy, and forge strategic partnerships. Last year, our engagement in prominent events significantly impacted advancements in various global agricultural issues concerning food, land, and water systems.

Key Events and Engagements

1. Climate COP28
   CGIAR contributed expertise across over 100 sessions covering topics ranging from gender and climate security to water-energy-food nexus, finance, research, and innovations.
   These efforts played a pivotal role in the key achievements of the event, encouraging 154 countries to commit to the UAE Declaration on Food and Agriculture, refilling the $500 million Loss and Damage Fund, advancing discussions on the Global Goals on Adaptation (GGA), and launching the CGIAR $4 billion investment case to transform food systems.
2. AIM4C Summit
   AIM for Climate advocates for increased investment in climate-smart agriculture and food systems innovation. Through seven innovation sprints, CGIAR presented cases for soil fertility management, livestock resilience, and climate-resilient crop varieties while promoting gender-responsive climate solutions and digital resources for sustainable agroecological transitions.
3. UN Water Conference
   CGIAR experts contributed research and insights on the global water crisis, including outcomes from IWMI’s Transformative Futures for Water Security (TFWS) Initiative, which identified eight pressing water needs. They helped establish the Water Action Agenda, addressing global water challenges and promoting sustainable water management practices.
4. Bonn Climate Conference
   CGIAR hosted several side events, including "Towards net zero food systems," where experts presented findings on food system emissions, decarbonization strategies, and climate mitigation potentials of various technologies. Our Centers also led a successful delegation advocating for recognizing the critical role of food systems in climate change discussions.
5. Africa Food Systems Forum Summit (AGRF)
   Our Centers led discussions to advance CGIAR’s vision of zero hunger in Africa by 2030, highlighting innovations like IITA’s sustainable cassava seed system in Tanzania to boost economic empowerment in the sector. Private sector actors showed strong investment commitment, forming partnerships to enhance the consumer-led cassava value chain.
6. IPCC Sixth Assessment Synthesis Report
   With CGIAR as part of the core writing team, the International Panel on Climate Change report highlighted many essential adaptation strategies for those who face disproportionate impacts from climate change, including cultivar improvements, on-farm water management and storage, soil moisture conservation, irrigation, agroforestry, and agroecology.
7. UNFSS+2 Stocktaking Moment
   CGIAR played a crucial role in the UN Food Systems Summit, emphasizing the necessity of quality and targeted investments, strong collaboration with governments and institutions, and holistic governance approaches for ensuring that financial resources reach the right people and are aligned with local visions and needs to achieve positive outcomes.

Marking International Days
Throughout the year, CGIAR also marked important international days.
On International Women’s Day, we emphasized the role of digital innovations and agricultural technologies in promoting equitable and inclusive food systems through internal and external activities. Earth Day focused on empowering local communities as stewards of Earth’s freshwater resources. For World Water Day, we celebrated the adoption of the Nexus Policy by the Niger Basin Authority, marking a significant change for water and associated development.