By Aoma Keziah,
Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Managing Director, CGIAR and Eliud Kireger, Director General, KALRO, and Lily Ronoh TAG Communications, for Science Week, during a press briefing, held at UNON Campus.
After a week of discussions, bold innovations, and strategic collaboration, CGIAR’s inaugural Science Week in Nairobi, concluded with all the scientists, policymakers, innovators, and development partners from around the globe, united by a common goal, transforming food systems in the face of climate change, growing populations, and evolving socio-economic challenges.
“Over past days, we’ve explored groundbreaking research, forged new collaborations, and reaffirmed our commitment to creating sustainable, resilient, and equitable food systems. The dialogues and connections fostered here will undoubtedly propel our shared mission forward,” said Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Managing Director, CGIAR
Co-hosted by KALRO, the event underscored the transformative power of science when coupled with strategic partnerships. collaboration took center stage as participants shared technologies and insights and discussed the further development of innovations with the potential to revolutionize agri-food systems , making them more resilient, sustainable, and equitable. The debates held, and showcasing of science, illuminated the path forward reaffirming collective commitment to a food-secure future.
“Through debate, presentations, and presentation of pioneering innovation, Science Week highlighted both the successes we can build on and the gaps that we are better positioned to address. The conversation doesn’t end here. This is just the beginning,” Eliud Kireger, Director General, KALRO.
several key achievements took place including tthe launch of CGIAR Research Portfolio, a collaborative endeavor that builds on 50 years of science and partner networks to shape and focus, CIMMYT and IICA signed an agreement that leverages science, technology, and collaboration to accelerate agricultural innovation and economic growth in the Americas by supporting farmers and agribusinesses.
CIP and KALRO signed a Licensing Agreement to transfer biotech for a potato resistant to late blight, reducing the need for chemical inputs while improving productivity and resilience, putting development of future innovation into the hands of farmers themselves.
“Our families are getting food, better nutrition for our children, and with this we are seeing more productivity in our families. I want to thank the Banking Centre for Global Citizens, because they’ve been able to help with our work, not just locally, but also globally. Young farmers, didn’t have opportunity to speak in such engagement, but with this we’ve been able to now speak up, because we are brought up in farming communities. Today, we are able to take this conversation to where you guys are, and we are able to form partnerships, and scale these solutions to where it matters most,” remarked Eliud Rugut, Youth Agri-Champion, Ban-Ki Moon Centre
The IWMI Strategy 2024 – 20302030 also launched, a roadmap for research and innovation that will enhance water security throughout East Africa CGIAR and AGRA signing an MOU to accelerate agricultural innovation and delivery across Africa, scaling ideas, strengthening country systems, and providing smallholder farmers with new and affordable technology.
Additionally, a CGIAR Flagship Report was released, designed for decision makers in low and middle income countries and regional bodies engaged in national, regional, and global processes, turning the science into actionable, evidence based solutions to support better decisions and smarter investments.
By building on the momentum of Science Week, CGIAR will drive tangible benefits for communities worldwide by strengthening ties with partners and funders, working to ratify key agreements, and advancing the development and scaling of innovations presented.
“Strategic gatherings like Science Week help chart pathways for how we build sustainable and resilient food systems. With one-third of the global population remaining food insecure, and mounting challenges ahead, science must be at the heart of accelerating the urgent solutions we seek,” said H.E. Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations
However, a key topic throughout the week was the need to sustain and grow investment streams for agricultural research amid a challenging funding landscape. Numerous studies, including those carried out by CGIAR, demonstrated that agricultural research increases production, yet the science budgets are the first to be cut during periods of economic uncertainty.
“Every $1 invested in CGIAR delivers $10 in benefits. Be it for the sustainability of our planet or out of simple economic sense, investing in CGIAR’s centers and working ever more closely together is one of the smartest investments we can make. In our future, for our future,” said Juergen Voegele, Vice President for Sustainable Development at the World Bank
With the world now at a crossroads, and cannot meet complex and interconnected challenges without transforming food systems, with the right investment agriculture as outlined in the CGIAR investment Case, has the potential to be humanity’s biggest solution to global agri-challenges.
This week of Science proved that investments for 2025-2027 are urgently needed to unlock the power of science and innovation to tackle climate change, increase productivity, and help transform food, land, and water systems to be able to address the pressing challenges of today.
As the curtains fell on the week long gathering, the spirit of collaboration and scientific excellence remained strong. With shared commitments and new initiatives on the horizon, it set a powerful precedent for future engagement, at a time when climate, food, and health systems are under strain, Science Week reaffirmed that science, when guided by purpose and delivered through strong partnerships, has the power to transform, proving that strength lies in collaboration that turns insights into action, and action into impact.
