Leading scientists from BRICS and other countries recommend that the UNFCCC create an agricultural work program to catalyze needed climate change research and provide a venue to share findings. They identify 12 key areas for strengthening agricultural research, such as pest and disease pressures, soil ecosystems, irrigation efficiency, and human capital development. They also recommend improving the availability of spatial data. The scientists endorse establishing this program during the UNFCCC conference in Durban to help ensure global food security under climate change.