Dr Papa Abdoulaye Seck is a specialist in agricultural policy analysis and strategy. He is a permanent member of the Senegal Academy of Sciences and has the rank of Director of Research (Prof.). He is on the advisory board of several bodies, including the Strategic Orientation Council of Agreenium, France and the Board of trustees of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) as representative of the CGIAR.

Dr Seck is currently the Director General of Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice), which is one of the 15 international Research Centers of the Consortium of the CGIAR. Before this, he was the Director General of the Senegal Agricultural Research Institute (ISRA) andTechnical Advisor to the Prime Minister of Senegal; Chair of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA); Member of the Governing Board of the West and Central African Council for Research and Development (CORAF/WECARD); Member of Africa Rice Board of Trustees; Member of the Executive Committee of the Global Forum for Agricultural Research (GFAR); and Member of the Steering Committee of African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD).

Dr Seck has received the title of Chevalier in the Order of Agricultural Merit of France, Certificate of Recognition from FARA, Medal of Honor from CORAF/WECARD, United Nations (UN) Award in his capacity as Africa Rice Director General and Award of Recognition from the Agriculture Ministry of Mali. He has received the title of the Chevalier in the National Order of Lion and Officer in the Order of Merit of Senegal. He is co-laureate of the 2012 T W Schultz Prize for Best Contributed Paper at the 28th International Conference of Agricultural Economists.

Dr Seck was among four international experts invitedin 2009 by UN Secretary General to make a presentation on the Millennium Development Goals before Heads of States. He has authored or co-authored 80 publications, including articles, papers in international conferences with scientific committees, books and forewords for more than 10 books.