The International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD) was initiated and negotiated among fierce debates over the performance of international agricultural science and technology institutions in contributing to the livelihoods of poor producers and consumers, while conserving and enhancing agricultural natural resources. A global IAASTD report and five regional ones synthesized peer reviewed scientific and non-reviewed government literature. This paper documents the four year long process of producing these reports, a process modeled methodologically after the International Panel on Climate Change. IATP participated in writing the policy options chapter of the Global Report and also contributed comments to the Global Report chapter on agricultural investment.