The first was held in Dresden, Germany, in May 2000, on "Strengthening research partnerships in the globalized world of the turn of century".

The third was held in New Delhi, India, in 2006 with the theme "Reorienting Agricultural Research to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)".

The Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development 2012 (GCARD2) was held in Uruguay, 29 October–1 November 2012, on the theme "Foresight and Partnership for Innovation and Impact on Smallholder Livelihoods".

GFAR's goal is to ensure that agricultural innovation systems, encompassing research, extension, education, and enterprise - deliver the best development outcomes to resource-poor farmers and rural communities.

[12] GAP's vision is to ensure transformed agriculture where gender equity enables food, nutrition and income security for the rural poor.