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(iii)
(iv)
(v)
To review the financial and other requirements of those international and regional research activities which the Group considers of high priority, and to consider the provision of finance for those activities taking into account the need to ensure continuity of research over a substantial period;
To undertake a continuing review of priorities and research networks related to the needs of developing countries, to enable the Group to adjust its support policies to changing needs, and to achieve economy of effort; and
To suggest feasibility studies of specific proposals, to reach mutual agreement on how these studies should be undertaken and financed, and to exchange information on the results.
The Group usually meets twice a year (May/June, October/November). The autumn meeting, International Centres Week (ICW), facilitates the presentation of the IARCS programmes and provides an occasion for donors to make their pledges.
Secretariat of the CGIAR
The Secretariat of the Consultative Group is located in the World Bank in Washington D.C. It organizes the meetings of the Group, arranges for periodic external management reviews of the IARCS as well as for some system-wide reviews of the CGIAR, prepares budget guidelines for the IARCs in consultation with the Technical Advisory Committee, and handles and monitors budget allocations to the Centres.
Technical Advisory Committee
The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to the Consultative Group is made up of 15 high-level scientists and research administrators from developing and industrialized countries acting in their personal capacity and appointed by the Group on recommendation of the co-sponsors. The Secretariat of TAC is based in FAO, Rome. The Commmittee usually meets three times a year: (February/March) at one of the International Centres, (June/July) at FAO Headquarters, and (October/November) in Washington D.C. just before International Centres Week.
The Committee provides independent advice to the Group on a wide variety of technical and scientific issues. Its functions include periodical reviews of Centres' programmes and budgets; holding external programme reviews of the IARCS; continual system-wide review of research priorities, strategies and activities; and preparation of position papers and recommendations on relevant topics and issues.
Functions of the IARCS
The Centres were created in response to identified needs, not on basis of a coherent plan of global action. The subsequent search for coherence arose from the desire to harmonize objectives and integrate in a "System", however loosely bound, the interrelated activities of a set of largely autonomous institutions which take pride in their independence.