Information on CACAARI
Central Asia and the Caucasus Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (CACAARI) was established in 2000 when leaders of the eight National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) came together under the aegis of the CGIAR CAC Program facilitated by ICARDA.
The purpose of the organization is to facilitate regional cooperation in agricultural research for development by providing a neutral platform where ideas and experiences can be shared. Moreover, the Association acts as a two-way communicative mechanism, supporting information flow from global organizations to local partners and back. The membership is open to research institutions, universities, NGOs and farmer associations located in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
The Association is governed by the Steering Committee meeting annually and by the Executive Committee, both led by the Chairman (currently – Acad. Hukmatullo Akhmadov, Tajikistan) and the Executive Secretary (currently – Dr. Abdushukur Khanazarov, Uzbekistan).
Since its establishment the Association has been representing Central Asia and the Caucasus at various regional and global meetings, such as those of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), Global Forum for Agricultural Research (GFAR), International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) etc. It has also organized regional consultations, workshops and meetings itself. CACAARI co-founded Inter-Regional Network on Cotton (INCANA) and Central Asia and the Caucasus Regional Agricultural Information System (CAC-RAIS).
The time has come to expand the membership base from the initial eight research institutions in each member country. For CACAARI to grow now into a comprehensive and solid platform and act as a full member of global fora, its membership base has to be built up to include organizations representing various aspects of agricultural research for development. Therefore, CACAARI is now looking forward to welcoming research institutions, universities, farmer associations and civil society organizations within its framework. The need and significance of expanding the membership increased in light of preparations for the Global Conference in Agricultural Research (GCARD), to be summoned by Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR) in Montpellier, France in 2010. GCARD is a world summit to discuss current state of agricultural research and take steps to reshape its future. The regional input from CAC region would come from CACAARI and its constituent members.
Benefits of the membership include a voice in setting the agenda of agricultural research in the region, possibility to represent the CAC at various international meetings, information on different opportunities in the region and the world (jobs, conferences, workshops etc.) and participation in the events organized by CACAARI. To say more, it is the members who set the agenda of the organization and formulate its programs - opportunity for growth are countless. Currently there are no membership fees.
For more information on the history of the organization, its activities and aims please visit http://www.cacaari.org, or contact Anvar Rahmetov, Assistant Executive Secretary of CACAARI at a.rahmetov [at] cgiar.org, tel: +998-71 2372130 , +998-71 2372169
Regional Brainstorm meeting for Transforming and Strengthening of Agricultural Research and Innovation Systems in Central Asia and Caucasus
Tashkent, 29-30 November, 2011
Samarqand, 01-03 December, 2011
Dr. Zakir Khalikulov, Acting Head of ICARDA-CAC/PFU is introducing the current cituation in the Region more» 
