International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development

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History of the IAASTD

IAASTD History The Assessment process was initiated by the World Bank in open partnership with a multistakeholder group of organizations, including FAO, GEF, UNDP, UNEP, WHO and UNESCO and representatives of governments, civil society, private sector and scientific institutions from around the world. It uses a strongly consultative 'bottom-up' process that recognizes the different needs of different regions and communities.

In August 2002, FAO and the World Bank announced at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg a global consultative process on a proposed international assessment of the role of agricultural science and technology. Representatives from all relevant stakeholder groups attended the first meeting in Dublin, Ireland, in November 2002. Participants endorsed transparency and inclusiveness as guiding principles for the regional consultations. Ten Regional Consultations were subsequently held in:

Cairo, Egypt
Paris, France
Lima, Peru
Washington, USA
Cork, Ireland
Dublin, Ireland
San Jose, Costa Rica
New Delhi, India
Suva, Fiji
Bogor, Indonesia
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Beijing, China

The 55-member Steering Committee met in Cork, Ireland (12-13 June 2003) and Budapest, Hungary (31 July - 2 August 2003) to finalize recommendations to the President of the World Bank and the Heads of FAO, IFAD, UNDP, UNEP, UNESCO and WHO. In December 2003, the Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, wrote the President of the World Bank, Jim Wolfensohn, expressing full support and cooperation for the initiative.

Click here to view the final report of the Steering Committee in the six official UN languages.

The Panel of participating governments, taking into account the views of other stakeholders at the IAASTD Intergovernmental Plenary held in Nairobi from 30 August to 3 September 2004, agreed on the objectives, goals, scope, key questions, design, preparation and peer-review processes, outputs, timetable, budget and governance structure.