This study evaluates an international research and development effort on the genetic improvement of farmed tilapia in order to increase productivity, with environmental safeguards. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) contributed to this effort over the decade 1988–1997 through two regional technical assistance projects, supporting the research and then dissemination and evaluation of the genetically improved farmed tilapia. Other funding support came from ICLARM (currently known as the WorldFish Center), the United Nations Development Programme, and national research partners in Bangladesh, People’s Republic of China, Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam. The work was notable for the international cooperation, regional collaboration, and networking that it fostered among institutions in the participating countries. This resulted in increased capacity and improved infrastructure for tilapia genetics at the national level.