Under the MOU, CIFOR and CIRAD continue to work together in researching the role of tropical and sub-tropical forests in improving the well-being people and societies, and for local and global purposes.

CIFOR and CIRAD's complementary work in the areas of rural development, agriculture and forestry provides exciting and innovative opportunities for the two organizations to develop numerous activities in partnership. Past partnership arrangements have seen the two organizations working together to compile and widely disseminate knowledge on forests in Cote d'Ivoire and Central Africa, assessing the impact of the development of large pulp mills using forest resources and, most recently, improving stakeholder coordination in the sustainable management of forest plantations.

The CIFOR-CIRAD MOU embraces a wide range of joint activities, including:

• Planning and implementing research and training programmes.
• Preparing and submitting research and development project proposals.
• Organizing study leave, training visits and other capacity building activities.
• Sharing scientific information and equipment.
• Organizing major conferences, seminars and workshops.
• Facilitating scientist and staff exchange programmes.
• Undertaking collaborative research projects with each other and agreed-upon third parties.

In signing the agreement the Director General of CIRAD, Benoit Lesaffre said the new MOU confirmed the common vision CIRAD and CIFOR "have on tropical forests, their resources and the services they may render to the sustainable development of Southern countries."