The International Assessment of Agricultural Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD) is a global evaluation to reduce hunger and poverty, improve rural livelihoods, and facilitate development that is equitable and environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable.

This project contributes to the effort to reduce hunger and poverty, improve rural livelihoods, and facilitate development that is equitable and environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable. It uses a multistakeholder, multidisciplinary, and cross-national approach that draws on a global community of scholars with common interests and complementary expertise.

The assessment has been completed and includes five regional reports and a global report that is being presented to world leaders in April 2008. The documents are presently on the web and accessible to the public.
I will begin an ethnographic study of the formation, organization, and practices associated with the IAASTD following the April meeting. That study should be completed no later than January 2009.

Following the presentation of the assessment, we anticipate enhancing discussions across countries and among policy makers in various ministries and departments. Discussions will focus on the policy options and strategies that can be deployed to reduce poverty and contribute to sustainable lives, livelihoods, and environments. We also anticipate that by identifying how agricultural research, policy, and extension can affect other economic and social sectors, we will move further toward social and environmental sustainability.