CIAT Director General receives international award

Last 18 October, CIAT Director General Dr. Ruben Echeverría was recipient of the University of Minnesota Distinguished Leadership Award for Internationals (DLAI) in recognition of his global contributions to agricultural development and mitigation of poverty.

The ceremony was held in Ruttan Hall of the Department of Applied Economics. The DLAI is the highest honor granted by the University of Minnesota to its former international alumni who have attained unusual distinction as professionals in their careers or in public service and have demonstrated sustained outstanding achievement or leadership.

Dr. Echeverría holds a M.Sc. and a Ph.D. in Agriculture and Applied Economics from the University’s College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, with an excellent performance.

When nominating Dr. Echeverría for the Award, the Selection Committee cited his global contributions to agricultural development and mitigation of poverty. “He is a recognized leader in international agriculture and generates dynamism within the agricultural research system,” said Committee members.

Dr. Echeverría began his professional career at the International Service for National Agricultural Research (ISNAR), where he gained valuable research experience in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. He then joined the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), where he rose through a series of positions until he became Head of Agriculture and Rural Development, a position from which he was responsible for raising millionaire contributions for agricultural credits for investment in development in Latin America.

He was appointed Executive Director of the Science Council of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), which gathers 15 international agricultural research centers. Because of his leadership and international experience, he was chosen as Director General of CIAT in December 2008.