<p>GFAR Chair Raj Paroda welcomed all stakeholders present at the meeting. Referring to the NARS Committee meeting held the previous day, he highlighted the need to strengthen the role of the NARS Committee and the importance of advancing inter-regional activities. He acknowledged the GFAR Secretariat for being able to handle very well the transition phase of GFAR and called for a more enhanced interaction of the secretariats of both GFAR and the regional/sub-regional fora. He then introduced and welcomed the incoming GFAR Executive Secretary, Dr. Ola Smith. He appreciated the offer of ISNAR to second a senior staff member in GFAR. Dr. Paroda also expressed his concerns over further delays in the signing of the GFAR Multi- Donor Agreement (MDA) between IFAD and FAO. He also appreciated the efforts of Regional For a in advancing the goal of GFAR. The agenda was adopted and the minutes of the 11th GFAR Steering Committee meeting were approved without any modification.</p>