The meeting was opened by Dr. R.S. Paroda, Chairman of the NARS Steering Committee
(NARS-SC). In his introductory speech, after having welcome the 22 participants who
attended the meeting, he emphasized the following points :
¿ Significant progress has been made since Brasilia;
¿ The most important event was probably the selection and appointment of Fernando
Chaparro as the first NARS Executive Secretary;
¿ A major concern is the low mobilization of the NARS-SC members as well as of the
sub-regional associations behind the NARS secretariat;
¿ Enough time should be devoted to the discussion of the Program of Work and Budget
of the NARS Secretariat as this is the first time that the NARS Secretariat is
operational and that funds are available;
¿ Another key question which has to be addressed during this week as it may impact on
GFAR and its NARS component, is the report of the CGIAR External Review.
Dr. R.S. Paroda concluded his introductory remarks by wishing a very successful and
fruitful meeting to all participants. He then asked Dr. M. Houssou, vice-Chairman of the
NARS-SC and Chairman of the NARS Executive Secretary Selection Committee, to also
welcome the participants. Dr. Houssou reaffirmed his full confidence in GFAR and his
conviction that the NARS will greatly benefit from the establishment of the NARS
Secretariat.
The proposed agenda was then adopted without modification.