1. Southern and Emerging Economies Advisory Group (SEAG)
International Conference: European Agricultural Research towards greater impact on Global Challenges - Brussels, 5th June, 2013
The SEAG:
a Southern voice on ARD partnerships with Europe
Jamil Macedo
IICA/Procitropicos
Member of SEAG

2. The Southern and Emerging Economies Advisory Group – SEAG, was created by ERA-ARD to:
provide strategic entry point and foster greater involvement of southern partners to northern ARD
offer feedback on proposals and reports prepared by ERA-ARD
challenge established northern ERA-ARD thinking

3. SEAG represent the Sub-Regional Fora:
EFARD
Europe
CAACARI
C Asia y Caucasus
NAFARD
(PROCINORTE)
EUA-Canada
AARINENA
N Africa y W Asia
APAARI
Asia y Pacific
FORAGRO
Americas
FARA
Africa
GFAR
CGIAR
GCARD

4. What has SEAG done?

5. SEAG contributions (1/2)
SEAG members shared experience from southern and emerging economies
Commented on and gave feedback on key ERA-ARD documents
Provided information and advice about research needed in southern and emerging economies, fostering a demand driven approach

6. SEAG contributions (2/2)
Participated in ERA-ARD work packages and task forces personally or invited southern experts as required
Facilitated synergies and the institutionalization of processes (SEAG regional consultations)
Provided transparent and updated consultation to ERA-ARD

7. SEAG deliverables (1/2)
Paper on Regional Evidence Generation and Policy and Institutional Mapping on Food and Bio fuel (Africa, Asia & Latin America)
Presentation of the position paper at ERA- ARD International Conference “Dialogue between Europe and its Southern partners on agricultural research and climate change”, Brussels, 2011

8. SEAG deliverables (2/2)
Leaflets with description of the Agriculture Research System in Africa, Asia and LAC
Regional ARD-Alliance Workshop on Water Management towards Food Security, in Burkina Faso, March 2013, in cooperation with FARA
“Negotiation” for a FORAGRO support to a Workshop on the Latin American ARD, in Brazil, second semester of 2013

9. SEAG strengths
Involvement of all continents, regions, and international Fora in a same group interest in ARD
Skilled and experienced members
Good visibility of an European / Southern Economies advocacy group for matters dealing with poverty eradication, food security and environmental sustainability

10. SEAG weaknesses Non direct access to all stakeholders
Non availability of the SEAG members for implementation of the work packages / task forces
Only few meetings and contacts happened
Allocation of little amount of funds for co- operative projects involving southern partners

11. ARD Innovation Divide
Source: Center for International Development, 2011

12. Two way N-S, S-N and S-S Collaboration
Equador
Trop. Capricorn
30o S
Trop. Cancer
30o N
Input S,T&I
Output S,T&I
Source: Embrapa

13. What could SEAG do in the future?
In this context,
What could SEAG do in the future?

14. If opportunity happens SEAG will definitely perform better if it is ensured that it will not only be “heard” but “listened to” as well
It is necessary to explore the possibility to renew funding from EU Member States
It is also necessary to explore the will and conditions for the participation and funding from the emerging countries
In an interconnected world no one can achieve this challenge in isolation:

15. Although ERA-ARD II Project will come to end this year, there is a need for continuation of SEAG (or similar group) in order to provide inputs and advices to European Commission and various ARD organizations such as EIARD and SCAR, and develop strategic international partnerships on a more permanent basis.

16. Thank You!