Director General Marco Wopereis recently returned from his first official trip to Europe and Africa, where he met staff, current and potential partners, and donors. In Montpellier, France, he had discussions on collaboration between the Center and CIRAD (Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement) and attended the CIRAD Scientific Council Meeting from 8-10 June. CIRAD has strengths in field agronomy and modeling, vegetable breeding, food safety and market linkages in Africa. In Mali from 14-17 June, Marco met with the World Vegetable Center’s West and Central Africa team at the office in Bamako, and representatives of government and nongovernmental organizations. Mali seeks support to develop its horticultural sector, particularly the vegetable seed sector.