CGIAR’s Role at the GFFA 2026

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

CGIAR’s Role at the GFFA 2026

15 - 16 January 2026. CityCube Berlin. 2026 GFFA - Water. Harvests. Our Future.

CGIAR’s presence at GFFA 2026 included contributions across multiple expert and thematic panels, mainly on water governance, the water–energy–food nexus, irrigation, blue foods, and sustainable water use. CGIAR framed scientific evidence and actionable solutions for policy and practice around water and food security, especially under climate change pressures.

CGIAR scientists and leaders brought research into the center of several thematic policy debates:

Water Governance & Competing Uses: the panel addressed how to share water equitably for food
and water security, including tenure and governance frameworks. Emphasis was on integrated management that balances agricultural water use with broader human and ecosystem needs.
Sustainable Irrigation & Nexus Approaches: Discussions on sustainable irrigation emphasized the water–energy–food–environment nexus, bringing scientific insights on how to optimize scarce water resources for resilient agriculture.
Blue Foods & Blue Bioeconomy: CGIAR-linked research on aquatic foods and the blue bioeconomy featured in sessions that highlighted how aquatic food systems contribute to
nutrition, sustainability, livelihoods, and climate resilience.
Science for Policy & Global Water Resilience: Across panels, CGIAR evidence highlighted how water security is essential for food security, climate adaptation, and resilient agrifood systems — contributing directly to global policy dialogues leading into the UN Water Conference 2026.

15/01 Expert Panel #3 - Shared Solutions for Africa's Water-Energy-Food Systems

Panelist: Petra Schmitter, IWMI

16/01 Panel Discussion #6 - Strengthening Africa's blue bioeconomy – putting policy into practice

The Malabo Montpellier Panel's report on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture in Africa (Fish-Friendly) shows how governments in Africa are implementing measures and reforms to address these challenges and promote sustainable fisheries and aquaculture. The evidence-based actions described in the report demonstrate how integrated policy, investment, and innovation can foster inclusive growth, strengthen resilience, and deliver environmental benefits. This aligns with regional frameworks such as the African Union's Ten-Year Strategy for Aquatic Ecosystem Development (CAADP) and global commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement, and provides valuable insights for the sustainable management of aquatic resources.

The expert panel at GFFA 2026 aims to build on these findings and provide a platform for stakeholders to exchange knowledge, highlight political innovations, and explore how strengthening the blue bioeconomy can sustainably promote food security, livelihoods, and aquatic ecosystems.

16/01 Expert panel #7 Sustainable Water Use and Innovative Agricultural Technologies in the Agriculture of Eastern Europe and Central Asia

Innovative agricultural technologies play a central role: be it precise drip irrigation systems with minimized evaporation losses, drought- and salt-stress-resistant seeds and varieties, soil-conserving agricultural technology for optimal soil moisture, or closed-loop livestock farming systems.

What challenges do Eastern European and Central Asian countries face with regard to sustainable water use in agriculture? What do practical solutions look like? What obstacles do they face? And how can the use of water-efficient agricultural technologies be further expanded?