The CGIAR Research Program on Livestock and Fish started in January 2012. It aims to increase the productivity of small-scale livestock and fish systems in sustainable ways, making meat, milk and fish more available and affordable to poor consumers across the developing world. Genetics is one of the three technological components of the Livestock and Fish research program. A genetics team meeting was held on 30-31 July 2012, at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi. It was attended by 10 scientists from ILRI, the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) and the WorldFish Center working on the livestock and fish genetics component of the program. The objectives of the workshop were to: 1) develop a common understanding of the objectives of the Component and the proposed approach; 2) review and refine the implementation plan and agree on the timetable for 2012; 3) identify resource mobilization priorities; 4) agree on responsibilities.