CGIAR Science Week Arrives at a Critical Moment

The world stands at a crossroads, a moment of confusion. The signs are all around us, from rising temperatures, degraded farmlands, vanishing biodiversity and millions facing food insecurity. From climate change to malnutrition, these issues are no longer distant threats; they are part of our daily reality. These effects hit the most vulnerable communities the hardest especially in developing countries, where livelihoods are deeply intertwined with nature.

But in every moment of crisis, history has shown us something powerful: science can lead the way out. Today, as the planet faces some of its most urgent and complex challenges, a new story is beginning that centers on solutions and innovation. And it begins with a gathering in Kenya.

In a groundbreaking collaboration, CGIAR, the world’s largest publicly funded research partnership focused on food systems and the Kenyan Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) joined forces to host the inaugural CGIAR Science Week. This wasn’t just another conference but a global convening of the brightest minds and boldest ideas, brought together to imagine and ignite a better future for food, land, water, and people.

Scientists, policy-makers, youth leaders, innovators, and funders are all under one roof to explore how science can meet society’s most pressing needs. Through strategic dialogue and real-world solutions, the event aimed to shift the global research conversation from isolated breakthroughs to integrated impact hence putting the most vulnerable communities at the center of change.

At its heart, CGIAR Science Week was about more than just research. It’s about relevance. The event set the stage for the launch of the CGIAR Research Portfolio 2025–2030, a roadmap that will guide research priorities for the next five years. This portfolio was designed to deliver measurable change and a transformation of the way we grow food, manage natural resources, and respond to climate threats.

What made the event different is its commitment to collaboration. Instead of working in silos, experts from across agriculture, climate, and health sectors will come together in active dialogue. Together, they’ll explore integrated solutions that work not just in labs and reports, but in real communities across the globe.

CGIAR Science Week sparked long-lasting partnerships, inspired political will, and attracted the investment needed to bring science from the lab to the land and ultimately to the lives that depend on it. But perhaps its greatest impact will be its message: that science is not a luxury but a necessity. And when grounded in equity, inclusivity, and innovation, it can help us build a world that works for everyone.

CGIAR Science Week was more than an event. It’s a turning point. It reminded us that even in the face of a crisis, progress is possible. It called on all of us, scientists, youth, leaders, and communities to rise to the challenge with bold ideas and collective action. This is the story of a week that could change everything. For the food we eat. For the air we breathe. For the future we want.