By Abdullahi Lukman
France’s Minister for Francophonie and International Partnerships, Thani Mohamed-Soilihi, and other key French ministers, have signed the consolidated CGIAR/France Action Plan, marking a strengthened commitment to addressing global agricultural challenges.
The Action Plan was signed at the “Nutrition for Growth” (N4G) Summit.
The partnership aims to reduce poverty, combat food insecurity, and protect natural resources and biodiversity while advancing sustainable agriculture.
The Action Plan was signed by Minister Mohamed-Soilihi, Minister for Higher Education and Research Philippe Baptiste, Minister for Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, Annie Genevard, and CGIAR’s Executive Managing Director, Ismahane Elouafi.
Dr. Elouafi emphasized that this partnership will accelerate efforts to tackle urgent agricultural challenges, strengthen food and nutrition security, and promote agroecology in the face of climate change.
This new agreement builds on an initial 2021 collaboration and aims to enhance agricultural research, training, and capacity-building efforts in the Global South.
It will focus on improving resilience for rural farmers facing climate change, food security challenges, and diminishing natural resources.
The CGIAR/France Action Plan includes several key objectives: Strengthening collaboration between France, CGIAR, and partners to support agricultural research and training in the Global South; Defining CGIAR’s role in France’s international science diplomacy strategy; and Elevating the partnership on the global stage, particularly through events like the French presidency of the G7 and the Africa-France summit in 2026.
As the host country of CGIAR, France, remains a key supporter, with Montpellier serving as an international hub for agricultural research.
France’s continued role as a significant funder of CGIAR’s work in food security, climate adaptation, and poverty reduction is vital to achieving shared global goals.
The agreement aligns with CGIAR’s 2030 Research and Innovation Strategy, which aims to drive a radical shift in global food systems by reducing hunger, creating opportunities for women and youth, and fostering resilient livelihoods for rural farmers.