-Conference Focuses on Strengthening South-South Cooperation and Technology-Driven Agricultural Development

NEW DELHI, May 31 (H.S.):*l The Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) celebrated its 44th Foundation Day in New Delhi on Saturday, reaffirming its commitment to advancing policy research and fostering development cooperation across the Global South.

To commemorate the occasion, a one-day conference on the theme “Strengthening India-Africa Partnership for Agricultural Transformation” was organized jointly by the South Global: South Centre of Excellence, RIS, and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT).

Addressing the gathering, Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for inclusive global development, stating that India’s development journey is not confined to its own borders but is intrinsically linked to the progress and prosperity of the wider world, particularly the nations of the Global South.

He emphasized the significant role played by RIS in providing evidence-based policy recommendations and strengthening the voice of developing countries in international forums.

Former NITI Aayog Member Professor Ramesh Chand praised RIS for continuously expanding the scope of its research in response to rapidly evolving global realities and development challenges.

Dr. Seshadri Chari, a member of the RIS Governing Council, noted that the institution’s relevance has grown steadily as governments and policymakers seek solutions to contemporary developmental challenges and informed guidance on strategic policy issues.

Aparna Ray, Joint Secretary (PP&R) in the Ministry of External Affairs, stated that RIS has made notable contributions to embedding concepts such as inclusivity, equity, and South-South cooperation within global policy discourse.

Earlier, RIS Director General Professor Sachin Kumar Sharma traced the institution’s journey since its establishment in 1983. He observed that RIS has become even more relevant at a time marked by geopolitical uncertainty and increasing fragmentation within multilateral institutions.

He reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to advancing the developmental aspirations of the Global South and supporting a more balanced and inclusive international development architecture.

The conference featured extensive deliberations on sustainable agricultural systems, climate-resilient farming, digital public infrastructure, and agricultural start-up ecosystems. Agricultural scientists, policymakers, and industry representatives from India and abroad exchanged experiences and best practices, opening new avenues for technology-driven agricultural development across Africa and the wider Global South.

Participants underscored the importance of strengthening India-Africa cooperation in agriculture through innovation, knowledge sharing, capacity building, and sustainable technologies to address common challenges such as food security, climate change, and rural development.

The event brought together leading policymakers, diplomats, scholars, development practitioners, and former members of the institution from India and abroad. Speakers collectively praised RIS for its more than four decades of contribution to international development cooperation, economic diplomacy, and policy research.

They noted that the institution has played a pivotal role in shaping development-oriented dialogue among countries of the Global South and promoting collaborative solutions to emerging global challenges.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar