CGIAR Accreditation as an Intergovernmental Organization at UNEA: Advancing Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

The CGIAR, the world’s largest agricultural research partnership, has been officially accredited as an intergovernmental organization (IGO) to the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). This accreditation grants CGIAR observer status, enabling its participation in UNEA sessions and subsidiary bodies, including the upcoming UNEA-7 in December. This milestone formally integrates CGIAR into the highest level of global environmental governance, strengthening its role as a trusted scientific partner supporting UN Member States.

By bridging agricultural science with environmental governance, CGIAR enhances efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to climate action (SDG 13), life on land (SDG 15), zero hunger (SDG 2), and clean water (SDG 6).

Context and Importance

This development occurs amid urgent global challenges known as the “triple planetary crisis”: climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. With over 50 years of agricultural innovation and scientific evidence, CGIAR is uniquely positioned to contribute to these critical discussions. The accreditation ensures that food, land, and water systems are fully integrated into global environmental policy, advancing multiple SDGs simultaneously.

Enhanced Role in Global Environmental Policy

UNEA accreditation significantly enhances CGIAR’s engagement in global policy processes by:

1. Providing scientific input on climate change, biodiversity conservation, and land degradation.
2. Supporting Member States with evidence-based recommendations for environmental policymaking.
3. Enabling CGIAR experts to contribute to UNEA discussions, submit scientific papers, and influence policy development.

This role is coordinated by CGIAR’s Multifunctional Landscapes Science Program, which ensures agricultural and land-use perspectives are well represented in global negotiations. Sustainable agricultural practices such as agroecology and food systems transformation are emphasized to achieve climate resilience (SDG 13), biodiversity conservation (SDG 15), and land restoration (SDG 15).

CGIAR’s involvement promotes policy coherence across sectors, aligning agricultural development with environmental targets to support climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, sustainable land use, and healthy landscapes.

Supporting the Rio Conventions

CGIAR’s UNEA accreditation strengthens its contributions to the three “Rio Conventions,” which are critical frameworks for sustainable development:

• UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC): Providing evidence on climate-resilient crops, climate-smart agriculture, and low-emissions farming to support national climate action plans (SDG 13).
• Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): Offering research on agrobiodiversity, ecosystem services, and nature-positive practices to inform biodiversity strategies (SDG 15).
• UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD): Sharing expertise in sustainable land management and soil restoration to help countries achieve land degradation neutrality (SDG 15).

CGIAR’s presence fosters synergy among these conventions by promoting integrated solutions such as agroforestry and landscape restoration that deliver co-benefits across climate action, biodiversity, and land health.

One of CGIAR’s strategic goals is to enhance coherence and cooperation among the Rio Conventions through scientific synthesis and dissemination, thereby supporting SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

The Multifunctional Landscapes Science Program: An Integrated Approach

The Multifunctional Landscapes (MFL) Science Program embodies CGIAR’s systems-based approach to sustainability. Its vision is to create thriving, biodiverse, low-emissions, and healthy landscapes that support both people and nature. The program applies agroecological and nature-positive methods to simultaneously improve:

• Food production and food security (SDG 2)
• Rural livelihoods and poverty reduction (SDG 1 and SDG 8)
• Biodiversity and ecosystem health (SDG 15)
• Climate resilience and low emissions (SDG 13)

As an accredited UNEA observer, CGIAR leverages the MFL Program to champion nature-positive and climate-smart agriculture on the global stage, influencing policies that shape sustainable futures.

Future Outlook: Integrating Agricultural Science into Global Environmental Governance

As countries work to meet global targets such as the Paris Agreement, the Global Biodiversity Framework, and land neutrality goals by 2030, CGIAR will play a critical role in translating these commitments into actionable strategies. Through initiatives like the Multifunctional Landscapes Science Program, CGIAR supports nations in embedding scientific evidence into national policies and implementation plans.

By integrating agricultural innovation within global environmental discourse, CGIAR advances systemic transformations necessary for a sustainable, resilient, and equitable future. This supports the achievement of multiple SDGs, including:

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 15: Life on Land
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Conclusion

CGIAR’s accreditation as an intergovernmental organization at UNEA marks a significant advancement in global environmental governance. It empowers CGIAR to bring agricultural science to the forefront of environmental policymaking, fostering integrated solutions that address the interconnected challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation. This development is pivotal for accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and ensuring a sustainable future for people and the planet.

Authors: Regina Edward-Uwadiale and Wandera Ojanji (CGIAR Multifunctional Landscapes)

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed in the Article

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger – The article emphasizes agricultural innovation, food systems transformation, and food security, linking directly to ending hunger and promoting sustainable agriculture.
2. SDG 13: Climate Action – CGIAR’s role in climate-resilient crops, climate-smart agriculture, and low-emissions farming addresses climate change mitigation and adaptation.
3. SDG 15: Life on Land – The focus on biodiversity conservation, land degradation neutrality, sustainable land management, and ecosystem health aligns with protecting, restoring, and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – The promotion of nature-positive and agroecological practices supports sustainable consumption and production patterns.
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – CGIAR’s accreditation as an intergovernmental organization and its collaboration with UNEP and Rio Conventions illustrate strengthened global partnerships.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified in the Article

1. SDG 2 Targets:
   • 2.3 – By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers through sustainable food production systems.
   • 2.4 – Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices.
2. SDG 13 Targets:
   • 13.1 – Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
   • 13.2 – Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
3. SDG 15 Targets:
   • 15.1 – Ensure conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems.
   • 15.3 – Combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, and strive to achieve land degradation neutrality.
   • 15.5 – Take urgent action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats and halt biodiversity loss.
4. SDG 12 Targets:
   • 12.2 – Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
5. SDG 17 Targets:
   • 17.16 – Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships.
   • 17.17 – Encourage effective partnerships between governments, the private sector, and civil society.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article to Measure Progress

1. Climate-Resilient Crops and Low-Emissions Farming – Implied indicators include the adoption rate of climate-smart agricultural practices and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture.
2. Biodiversity Conservation and Agrobiodiversity – Indicators such as the extent of protected areas, number of species conserved, and maintenance of ecosystem services are implied.
3. Land Degradation Neutrality – Indicators related to land area degraded versus restored, soil quality, and sustainable land management practices.
4. Food Security and Agricultural Productivity – Indicators like crop yields, income levels of small-scale producers, and prevalence of hunger.
5. Policy Coherence and Integration – While less quantifiable, progress can be measured by the number of countries integrating agricultural science into environmental policies and national climate/biodiversity plans.
6. Partnerships and Collaboration – Number and effectiveness of multi-stakeholder partnerships and participation in international environmental governance forums.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: cgiar.org