Assessing new ways to accelerate more effective and equitable agrifood research and innovation systems - GFAiR Regional Fora and Steering Committee meeting

Assessing new ways to accelerate more effective and equitable agrifood research and innovation systems - GFAiR Regional Fora and Steering Committee meeting

7 - 8th June, 2026. Antalya, Turkey. Assessing new ways to accelerate more effective and equitable agrifood research and innovation systems - GFAiR Regional Fora and Steering Committee meeting

At a critical juncture for global agri-food systems, the future of agricultural research and innovation hinges on equitable partnerships, bold collaboration, and a unified vision.  It was with this spirit that the Global Forum on Agricultural Research and Innovation (GFAiR), alongside its Regional Fora and Steering Committee, converged in Turkey.

The high-level meeting brought together representatives from the Regional Fora representing Africa, Asia-Pacific, Central Asia and the Caucasus, Near East and North Africa, Americas and Europe, along with representatives from each constituency that represents the agrifood system. These representatives form the Steering Committee of GFAiR who along with the Secretariat, convened for a strategic dialogue on the forward trajectory of GFAiR.

The forum was graced by Dr. Didem Kökden, senior International Relations Coordinator and expert at the General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies (TAGEM) Turkey. 

The Regional Fora workshop focused on assessing the changing funding landscape, strengthening collaboration among regional partners, that can transform especially more equitable partnerships and engagement of all stakeholders in the agrifood research and innovation.

Participants also reviewed GFAiR’s strategic focus, including its Theory of Change based on new ways to accellerate achievements through systemic transformation of partnerships and ways of working so the Agrifood R&I systems are more effective, responsive and equitable. In this regard, the group reviewed leveraging the uniqueness of GFAiR and tools at hand like the Partnership Principles, Collective Actions, the Network, and being secretariate for the Global NARS Consortium.

The Steering Committee workshop built on the outcomes of the Regional Fora discussions and concentrated on enhancing the strategic role and influence of the Committee within GFAiR. 

Recognising the unique multi-stakeholder composition of the Steering Committee, participants explored how to better build on its diverse constituencies to strengthen advocacy, collaboration across the global agrifood innovation and research ecosystem.

Steering Committee members in attendance included:

  • Romano De Vivo – GFAiR Vice Chair

  • Joanna Kane-Potaka – GFAiR Executive Secretary

  • Selvaraju Ramasamy – Director of Innovation, FAO

  • Amine Belhamissi – Grant Portfolio Officer, IFAD

  • James French – General Secretary, Global Confederation of Higher Education Associations for the Agricultural and Life Science (GCHERA)

  • Silvia Lanzarini – UN WomenCarl Larsen

  • Karl Larsen– Executive Secretary, Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services, (online)

  • Daniel El Chami, TIMAC AGRO Italia, Strategy Director at Groupe Roullier (online)

Regional Fora members of the Steering Committee in attendance included:

  • Dr. Rida Shibli – Executive Secretary, Association of Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East and North Africa (AARINENA)

  • Dr Botir Dosov – Executive Secretary, Central Asia and the Caucasus Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (CACAARI)

  • Dr. Aggrey Agumya – Executive Secretary, Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) (online)

  • Dr. Karen Montiel – Forum for the Americas on Agricultural Research and Technology Development (FORAGRO)

  • Dr. Dietrich Darr – Chair, European Forum on Agricultural Research for Development (EFARD)

  • Manish Rai – Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI)