CGIAR
The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research of the World Bank.
Award Motivation
For advancing global food security through pioneering agricultural research, sustainable innovation and the reduction of poverty across the developing world.
Award details
The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) was awarded the 2006 Gold Mercury Cooperation & Development Award in recognition of its outstanding contribution to strengthening global food security, reducing poverty and advancing sustainable agricultural development through world-leading scientific research.
For more than three decades, CGIAR has been at the forefront of agricultural innovation, developing improved crop varieties, sustainable farming practices and climate-resilient agricultural systems that have transformed food production across the developing world. Its research has enabled millions of farming families to increase productivity, improve incomes and build greater resilience against hunger, climate change and environmental degradation.
By helping countries produce more food using fewer natural resources, CGIAR has made a profound contribution to global food security. Its scientific breakthroughs have significantly increased agricultural productivity, improved nutrition and livelihoods, and helped lift millions of people out of poverty while reducing pressure on fragile ecosystems.
CGIAR has also played a pioneering role in promoting environmentally sustainable agriculture. Through advances in crop science, water management, soil conservation and biodiversity protection, its work has helped preserve an estimated 230–340 million hectares of land from unnecessary cultivation, conserving critical ecosystems and protecting biodiversity for future generations.
At a time when population growth, climate change, water scarcity and geopolitical instability increasingly threaten global food systems, CGIAR's work demonstrates that agricultural science is fundamental to peace, economic development and human security. Ensuring reliable access to safe, nutritious and affordable food is one of humanity's greatest strategic challenges, and CGIAR has been instrumental in providing the knowledge and technologies needed to address it.
The Gold Mercury Cooperation & Development Award recognises CGIAR's exceptional leadership in harnessing scientific innovation to improve the lives of millions of people, strengthen international cooperation and build a more food-secure, sustainable and prosperous future for humanity.
Nicolas De Santis presenting Katherine Sierra and Francisco Reifschneider with the Gold Mercury Global Resources award.
“We’re delighted that Gold Mercury International has decided to recognize the CGIAR’s unique collaborative approach for contributing to sustainable agricultural development.”
LAUREATE VIDEOS
CGIAR Award Announcement
Nicolas de Santis Speech at CGIAR Award Event
Paul Wolfowitz Speech at CGIAR Award Event
