The OPEC Fund for International Development and CGIAR have signed a new cooperation agreement aimed at accelerating investment in climate-resilient agriculture, sustainable food systems, and rural development across developing regions.

The agreement was formalised during the Islamic Development Bank Group Annual Meetings by OPEC Fund President Abdulhamid Alkhalifa and CGIAR Executive Managing Director Ismahane Elouafi, marking a renewed push to scale agricultural innovation into investment-ready programmes.

Focus on climate-smart agriculture and food security

The partnership is designed to combine CGIAR’s global agricultural research expertise with the OPEC Fund’s development financing capacity to strengthen food systems and improve climate resilience in vulnerable regions.

Key focus areas include:

• Climate-resilient agriculture
• Sustainable food value chains
• Climate risk management systems
• Rural infrastructure development
• Early-warning systems for food security

The initiative is expected to support scalable programmes that enhance productivity while addressing climate-related risks affecting agriculture and rural livelihoods.

Developing investment-ready agricultural programmes

A central goal of the agreement is to convert agricultural research into bankable development projects that can attract funding from governments, development finance institutions, and private investors.

The partnership will support the OPEC Fund’s Food Security and Climate Adaptation Facility, which finances projects in areas such as water management, rural infrastructure, and climate-smart agriculture systems.

OPEC Fund President Abdulhamid Alkhalifa said the agreement strengthens long-standing cooperation between the two organisations, combining scientific expertise with financing capacity to deliver practical solutions for food security and climate adaptation.

CGIAR to lead technical and scientific support

Under the agreement, CGIAR will serve as a technical partner responsible for project design, implementation support, and scientific assessment.

Its role will include:

• Identifying priority countries and regions
• Designing agricultural development programmes
• Conducting technical and scientific evaluations
• Supporting implementation and monitoring
• Mobilising additional funding partners

CGIAR Executive Managing Director Ismahane Elouafi said the collaboration will help translate scientific innovation into real-world impact for vulnerable communities.

Expanding global support for rural resilience

The agreement builds on an existing relationship between the two institutions, with the OPEC Fund already providing nearly US$25 million in technical assistance grants to CGIAR-supported initiatives.

Both organisations said the renewed partnership reflects a broader global push to strengthen food systems, improve climate resilience, and support sustainable rural development across low- and middle-income countries.