Introduction from the Chair of the Board of Trustees D
evelopments in the global landscape in 2010 heightened demand for innovative research and policy-relevant outreach from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). The Institute responded to food price volatility around the world by providing timely, fact-based analyses to both the G8 and G20 summits, as well
as to numerous national governments and international forums. IFPRI initiated important post-emergency recon- struction research to help ensure that efforts made by developing countries to rebuild their economies and boost their agricultural productivity after natural disaster or conflict are founded in policies and investments already in place. Related projects evaluated the situations in Pakistan after the 2010 flooding, China after the 2008 earthquake in Sichuan Province, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo after more than a decade of violent conflict. Finally, through its publications and preparatory work for a major international policy conference in 2011, the Institute con- tributed to the global dialogue on the linkages between agriculture, nutrition, and health. Prior to the conference, IFPRI’s Board of Trustees hosted a seminar on the obstacles to and potentials for linking the sectors together.
In addition to putting its portfolio of public goods to use globally, IFPRI’s expertise benefited the internal change process of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) system itself. As the CGIAR reforms progressed throughout 2010, IFPRI and its Board of Trustees played a key role in fostering partnerships in developing countries and implementing a rich research agenda. The Institute’s input into these reforms, in col- laboration with many partners, enables the CGIAR to ensure the quality, relevance, and impact of its research.
IFPRI is financially sound and well managed, as evidenced by an ongoing period of rapid and sustained growth. Over the last year, the Institute’s budget and number of staff members both grew by approximately 10 percent. IFPRI set up two regional offices in Africa, along with project and program offices in other regions as well. The Institute’s expansion of its programming will help to extend its reach across all regions and strengthen its posi- tion as a major contributor to regional and strategic debates.
My past year as chair of IFPRI’s Board of Trustees has been rewarding. My fellow Board members and I have fol- lowed with great interest IFPRI’s research on a range of diverse topics—from biofortification and water quality to gender and governance. We have also enjoyed advising on the CGIAR reforms and planning for the future. The Board of Trustees looks forward to supporting IFPRI as it continues to carry out its valuable mission of reducing poverty, hunger, and malnutrition around the world.
On behalf of the Board, I would like to express my great appreciation to IFPRI’s staff and management for their dedication and hard work in the past year. I look forward to an even more exciting year ahead.
Fawzi Al-Sultan 2
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