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I attended CGIAR Science Week at UN Headquarters in Nairobi

Credit: Derrick Wachaya
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Nairobi, Kenya
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It was an incredible learning experience to attend the inaugural CGIAR Science Week held at the United Nations Headquarters in Nairobi.

Last week, over 13,000 participants convened at the United Nations Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya to address the food, land and water systems’ key challenges against the threat of climate change. Several scientists, researchers, global leaders – including youth leaders – were present for this inaugural event.

The week began with a dramatic opening ceremony, which emphasized the importance of science and innovation in reshaping agri-food systems. CGIAR Executive Managing Director Dr. Ismahane Elouafi rightly said, ‘People are thirsty for science and for good news. We bring solutions to the country level and the community where science could really thrive.’

One of the major highlights was the CGIAR 2025–2030 Research Portfolio, a six-year program to be funded for an estimated $6–12 billion. The agenda will deliver crucial research in over 100 nations, the majority being the Sub-Saharan Africa nations, with emphasis on sustainable agriculture, food security, and livelihood resilience.

The Research Portfolio responds directly to the world leaders, science experts, and farmers at the forefront of the world’s present agricultural crisis.

The Research Portfolio considers that food systems currently can no longer deliver nutrition, equity, or sustainability for growing populations. With the smallholder farmers of the Global South being the most affected, the Research Portfolio will be striving to empower them with the knowledge, tools, and capacity they need in order to survive.

Innovation took pride of place during the discussions. Ranging from AI-based decision-making tools to climate-resilient technologies, the forum revealed a number of  solutions ready for scaling.

Particularly encouraging was the launch of CGIAR 2030 Global Strategy for Resilient Drylands, an initiative tackling the interrelated issues facing dryland people everywhere. This includes a need to optimize farming and diversify dryland agrifood systems. By conserving biodiversity and managing soil, land, and water systems, they’re aiming to deliver resilient communities and ecosystems

Being an individual so actively involved with grant-making, it was reassuring to observe emphasis being placed on women and youth empowerment in agriculture, as well as inclusivity while also raising questions about a lack of prior action to politicians.

Kenya’s Principal Secretary of Agriculture, Dr. Paul Kiprono Ronoh, stressed the need for farmers themselves to be brought directly into setting and executing new solutions, ‘The time when decisions were made on behalf of farmers is long gone.’

The week also underscored the importance of harmonious policies. A workshop convened by the CGIAR Initiative on National Policies and Strategies emphasized the importance of increased coordination in not only Kenya’s food, land, and water policies but also the global picture.

Among the key suggestions, was strengthening the capacity of public institutions and civil society organizations to facilitate effective policy implementation. In laymen’s terms, streamlining the process of actioning ideas to make a difference quickly.

Reflecting on the week, I am cautiously optimistic for a better future, provided the convergence is followed by proper actions. It promises a path forward, and as a passionate fellow involved in the future of agriculture on my continent, all I want to see is equity, resilience, and justice.

Writer Nairobi, Kenya

I’m Derrick (He/Him), a Journalism and Mass Communication graduate from the Technical University of Mombasa, Kenya. Currently I write about trending topics and major issues affecting Africa for Thred, specifically concerning SDGs. View my Twitter here if you’d like to send me feedback.

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