On March 17, 2023, the heads of the six GFAR Regional Fora (AARINENA, APAARI, CACAARI, EFARD, FARA, and FORAGRO) signed a Declaration to establish a Global NARS Consortium (GNC) and entrusted it to GFAR.

The Regional Fora represent diverse stakeholders involved in agrifood systems transformation and agricultural research, specifically the National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) in their regions.

The Declaration calls for collective action to strengthen and revitalize NARS in the rapidly changing global context through the creation of a Global NARS Consortium (GNC) within GFAR. The GNC will seek to strengthen the global voice, enhance the influence, and improve the resource base and capacities of NARS as well as strengthen the collaboration and linkages among partners.

The Declaration was witnessed by high level representatives from the CGIAR and IFAD, and the representatives of the NARS of Australia, Iran and Vietnam, and it’s here attached.

The GFAR Regional Fora agreed to operationalize the GNC, in consultation with relevant national, regional and global institutions, networks and organizations, undertaking to facilitate the implementation of a roadmap by 2025, to mark the 30th year of GFAR’s existence.