Joint Press Statement of the CGIAR and CAADP-XP4 Partners

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

African Research and Innovation Partners Synergize to Accelerate Agricultural Knowledge Scaling

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — December 13, 2024 — The CGIAR and CAADP-XP4 Partners successfully concluded the "Second Workshop to Operationalize the African Agricultural DSpace Repository" at the ILRI Campus in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This three-day event, held from December 11 to 13, brought together Knowledge Management Officers, IT and web developers from CAADP-XP4 Partners (FARA, CCARDESA, AFAAS, CORAF, and ASARECA) alongside CGIAR experts led by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). The workshop reinforced partnerships and took concrete steps toward advancing the African Agricultural Research Information and Innovation Space (AARIISpace).

Key Achievements of the Workshop
The workshop provided an invaluable opportunity to:

• Take Stock of Collaborative Progress: Participants reviewed achievements and challenges in implementing the Knowledge Management Partnership Framework signed during the AASW8 in Durban.
• Build Capacity and Share Lessons: The sessions drew on ILRI’s decade-long experience with CGSpace, enabling the integration of Indigenous knowledge, metadata standardization, and AI-driven insights into AARIISpace.
• Develop Technical Configurations: We discussed common vocabularies and functionalities for the AARIISpace platform, laying the groundwork for operational efficiency.
• Set Clear Actions: A timeline to configure, launch, and roll out AARIISpace by mid-2025 was agreed upon, ensuring widespread accessibility among regional and national partners.
  Speaking at the event, Michael Victor, Head of Communications, Advocacy and Knowledge Management at ILRI, and Benjamin Abugri, Knowledge Management, Digitalization and Learning Lead Specialist, speaking on behalf of the partnership, noted that the workshop underscores a shared commitment to transforming agricultural research and innovation through knowledge management. AARIISpace will be a cornerstone of ensuring inclusive, sustainable, and scalable impact.”
  

Strengthening Partnerships and Knowledge Sharing
The collaborative spirit of the workshop was evidenced by the following achievements over the past three years:

• Active participation in KM4AgD Challenges and conferences, resulting in over 21 certified Knowledge Management practitioners.
• Engagement in strategic policy dialogues and workshops, including the GESI workshop in Malawi and KM sessions in Johannesburg.
• Collaborative hosting of knowledge-sharing fairs in Zimbabwe and Ethiopia, showcasing innovative practices and research outputs.
• Policy validation exercises with regional partners, ensuring alignment with stakeholder needs.
  

Looking Ahead: Revewed Areas of Collaboration
The workshop concluded with a shared commitment to:

• Strengthen partnerships under the existing MOU, extending collaboration through 2025. 
• Publish the inaugural Africa Knowledge Management Report in 2025.
• Expand the KM4AgD Communities of Practice through targeted activities. 
• Promote subsidiarity principles, fostering national-level knowledge management policies and strategies.
• Jointly develop funding proposal and host a global Knowledge Management Share Fair focused on KM4AgD and AI in Africa.
  Appreciation and Call to Action
  CGIAR and CAADP-XP4 Partners expressed gratitude to all participants for their dedication and contributions. As AARIISpace moves toward full implementation, the partnership calls for the joint mobilization of financial and human resources to ensure the platform’s success. The partnership also 
  

For media inquiries, please contact:

Benjamin Abugri – KM, Digitalization and Learning Cluster Leader, FARA – babugri@faraafrica.org

Michael Victor – Communications, Advocacy and KM Lead, CGIAR-ILRI – m.victor@cgiar.org

About CGIAR:
CGIAR (Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research) is a global research partnership for a food-secure future, dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources and ecosystem services. The CGIAR is made of 15 Institutes with ILRI coordinating KM in this partnership.

About CAADP-XP4:
The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme ex-Pillar 4 (CAADP-XP4) Institutions support African agricultural research and innovation systems in delivering sustainable solutions for improved productivity, resilience, and livelihoods across the continent. It is made of Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), the African Forum For Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS), Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA), West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF) and Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA)

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