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ASSOCIATION OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS IN THE NEAR EAST

AND NORTH AFRICA (AARINENA)

Proceedings of the 12th General Conference of AARINENA

16 - 17 November 2011

Kuwait City, Kuwait

AARINENA 12th GC Proceedings 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONTENT PAGE

TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................................................. 2

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ........................................................................................ 3

1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................... 4

2. AARINENA GENERAL CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS................................................................. 5

2.1. Opening Session ..................................................................................................................................................... 5

2.2. AARINENA Activities Session ........................................................................................................................... 5

2.3. Global and Inter-Regional Collaboration Session ..................................................................................... 7

2.3.1. GCARD Road Map ................................................................................................................ 7

2.3.2. Updated Strategy for PGR ............................................................................................................ 8

2.3.3. CGIAR Reforms and Research Programs: Implications for West Asia and North Africa .......... 9

2.3.4. ICM Status Report in WANA ......................................................................................................10

2.3.5. Implementation of Agro ICT Packages for Integrated Water and Land Management in

WANA ..........................................................................................................................................11

2.3.6. EFARD: Opportunities under EC Framework 7 for AARINENA ..............................................12

2.4. AARINENA Financial Statement Session ................................................................................................... 13

2.5. AARINENA Constitution Amendments Session ..................................................................................... 14

2.6. AARINENA Election Session ........................................................................................................................... 15

2.7. Venue and date of the next General Conference .................................................................................... 16

2.8. Concluding Remarks and Vote of Thanks ................................................................................................. 16

2.9. The New Executive Committee Meeting ................................................................................................... 16

3. ANNEX I: PROGRAM FOR THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ADAPTATION TO

CLIMATE CHANGE AND FOOD SECURITY IN WEST ASIA AND NORTH AFRICA ................... 17

4. ANNEX II: LIST OF PARTICIPANTS ............................................................................................. 24

4.1. Member Country Institutions ........................................................................................................................ 24

4.2. Regional & International Organisations .................................................................................................. 26

4.3. NGOs and Farmers ............................................................................................................................................. 27

5. ANNEX III: AGENDA OF THE AARINENA 12TH GC MEETING ............................................... 28

6. ANNEX IV: AARINENA PROGRESS REPORT (2008-2011) ................................................... 30


LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

Abbreviation Meaning

AARINENA Association of Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East

and North Africa

ACSAD Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands

AR4D Agricultural Research for Development

ASTI Agricultural Science and Technology Indicators

BI Bioversity International

CIARD Coherence in Information for Agricultural Research for

Development

CGIAR Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research

DPGN Date Palm Global Network

EFARD European Forum on Agricultural Research for Development

ERA-ARD The Agricultural Research for Development- European Research

Area

EU European Union

FAO Food and Agriculture Organization

FARA Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa

FORAGRO Forum of Agricultural Research in Latin America and Caribbean

GC Global Conference (of AARINENA)

GCARD Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development

GFAR Global Forum for Agricultural Research

ICARDA International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas

ICBA International Center for Biosaline Agriculture

ICM Information and Communication Management

ICT Information and Communication Technology

IFPRI International Food Policy Research Institute

INCANA Inter-Regional Cotton Network in Asia and North Africa

KISR Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research

NARIMS National Agricultural Research Information Management System

NARS National Agricultural Research System

NCARE National Center for Agriculture Research and Extension, Jordan

NENA Near East and North Africa

NERAKIN Near East and North Africa Rural and Agricultural Knowledge and

Information Network

OSU Ohio State University

PGR Plant Genetic Resources

RAIS Regional Agricultural Information System

SKMD State of Kuwait Meteorological Department

WANA West Asia North Africa

WMO World Meteorological Organization


I. INTRODUCTION

The AARINENA 12th General Conference (GC) was held in Kuwait City, Kuwait, during the period 16th – 17th of November, 2011. The GC followed the International Conference on Adaptation to Climate Change and Food Security in West Asia and North Africa (WANA), which was hosted by the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) in Kuwait City, Kuwait, during 13th -16th of November, 2011. This international conference on adaptation to climate change was organized and cosponsored by WMO, AARINENA, FAO, Ohio State University (OSU), KISR, ICARDA, State of Kuwait Meteorological Department (SKMD), and Global Forum for Agricultural Research (GFAR) and the European Union (EU).

The predicted adverse trends of climate change and their impacts on food production in countries of West Asia and North Africa (WANA) have made food security the main challenge for the increasing populations in the WANA countries. Adoption of comprehensive and integrated approaches to planning and implementing the climate change adaptation measures and strategies is urgently needed in WANA region. The organizers and cosponsors of this conference realized the above facts and threats that climate change could make to food security in WANA and, therefore, worked together to bring a wide range of expertise to this important conference so that knowledge on adaptation to climate changes can be shared and disseminated. Specific objectives of the conference were to provide a better understanding and assessment of the climate change impacts on agriculture and the associated vulnerability in the WANA region and to discuss and develop informed decisions on practical adaptation strategies for the agricultural sector in the WANA region. An important output of the conference was a draft document entitled "Regional Framework for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in the WANA Region".

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah – The Amir of the State of Kuwait, the international conference on adaptation to climate change and the AARINENA 12th GC were officially opened on the 13th of November by H.E. Mr. Ahmad Al-Mulaifi, Minister of Education and Higher Education of Kuwait, who emphasized that WANA region would face the challenges of securing income and food for the increasing population, the problem of water scarcity, the frequent droughts and desertification. The following speakers in the opening session (Representatives of KISR, WMO, AARINENA, ICARDA, FAO and OSU) called for: Immediate actions and measures to mitigate and adapt to climate change; Agricultural diversification and intensification to meet the demand on food, Transfer of technology to empower farmers; and the solidarity of efforts to enable the adaptation to climate change.

The sessions of the conference included lectures presented by researchers and decision-makers representing educational, research and technology institutes from inside and outside WANA region. The titles of these sessions were:

Climate change in West Asia and North Africa: Overview Climate change and environment Climate change and food security Mitigation and adaptation options for different agroeconomic sectors Policy, financial, institutional and cooperation issues Regional agriculture mitigation and adaptation framework for climate change ,

The program of the Conference is shown in Annex I


II. AARINENA GENERAL CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

2.1. Opening Session

The 12th General Conference of AARINENA started its sessions in the afternoon of the 16th of November, 2011. The opening session was addressed by Dr. Ahmed Al-Bakri, the president of AARINENA who welcomed the participant from the member country institutions (Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Sudan, Tunisia, Turkey and Yemen), Organizations and Co-sponsors (AARINENA, ACSAD, ICARDA, GFAR, FAO, FORAGRO, ICBA, IFPRI) and NGOs and farmers . The list of all participants is shown in Annex II. Election of Reporter and Adoption of the Agenda The Conference elected Dr. Jawad Al-Bakri, from University of Jordan as a reporter and Dr. Mohamed Roozitalab from Iran as the Nomination Officer. The agenda of the meeting was adopted by the conference (Annex III). 2.2. AARINENA Activities Session

The session, chaired by Dr. Al-Bakri, aimed to present AARINENA activities carried out in during the last three years. The progress report (Annex IV) was prepared by Dr. Ahmed al-Bakri and Dr. Ibrahim Hamdan, the Executive Secretary of AARINENA. Dr. Hamdan presented the report on AARINENA activities that were implemented based on the plan approved by the 11th General Conference held in Damascus, Syria 12-14 October, 2008. The activities of AARINENA included six major components that are summarized as follow:

1. AARINENA Executive Committee Meetings which focused on: - The work plan and renewal of the appointment of the Executive Secretary - The preparations for the upcoming activities of AARINENA, Conferences and

workshops, and membership status.

2. Preparation for the GCARD - Desk Study Review and E-consultations of WANA Region. - Face-2-Face Consultations and the outputs which included review of key-researchable

issues, Prioritization, constraints, solutions and partnerships and key messages from WANA.

- Post GCARD I: AARINENA Retreat and AARINENA Work plan as proposed by the GCARD Roadmap.

3. Strengthening AARINENA Regional Agricultural Information System (RAIS) - National Agricultural Research Information Management System (NARIMS). - Near East and North Africa Rural and Agricultural Knowledge and Information Network

(NERAKIN). - Agricultural Science and Technology Indicators (ASTI): Survey and data collection. - Expert Consultation on GIS application held in Amman in June 2011. - Coherence in Information for Agricultural Research for Development (CIARD) - Training of Trainers Workshop on CIARD, October 2011, Amman – Jordan


4. Supporting the activities of AARINENA Technical Networks

4.1 Maghreb (North Africa) Sub-Region Regional Water Use Efficiency Network (Morocco) Regional Olive Oil Network (Tunisia)

4.2 Nile Valley Sub-Region Regional Agricultural Biotechnology Network and NERAKIN (Egypt) Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) Network (Sudan)

4.3 Mashreq Sub-Region Regional Medicinal & Aromatic Plants Network (Jordan)

4.4 Arabian Peninsula Sub-Region Date Palm Global Network (DPGN) (United Arab of Emirates)

4.5 West Asia Sub-Region Inter-Regional Cotton Network in Asia and North Africa (INCANA) (Iran)

5. Implementation of a study on Empowerment of Women in Agriculture

Development of recommendations for relevant institutions to advance the role of women working in agriculture in the region.

6. Strengthening Inter-regional Cooperation

Collaboration with CGIAR (ICARDA, IFPRI, Bioversity International (BI) and CGIAR Fund Council.

Collaboration with ERA-ARD through Southern Advisory Group (SAG) Collaboration with FARA Collaboration With FORAGRO Cooperation with GFAR

7. Meetings

AARINENA cosponsored and participated in more than 50 meetings during the period 2008-2011. The meetings included workshops, international and regional conferences, training courses and workshops.

8. Publications Newsletter (6 biannual Newsletters for the last three years). Proceedings of Meetings

Dr Hamdan concluded his presentation by a graph which summarized the number of participants in AARINENA activities during 2008-2011 (Figure 1). The session was then followed by a short discussion which focused on the financing mechanism, which was covered by another session during the GC. A concern was raised about the networks that were not functioning and the actions needed to activate them. The participants proposed some suggestions including the involvement of farmers and NGOs and the incentives for people working on these networks.

UAE

Date Palm Global Network

Iran

Int. Reg. Cotton Network

Arabian

Peninsula

Sub-Region

West Asia

Sub-Region 32

UAE

Date Palm

Global Network

Iran

Int. Reg.

Cotton Network

Arabian

Peninsula

Sub-Region

West Asia

Sub-Region 32

UAE


Iran


Arabian

Peninsula

Sub-Region

West Asia

Sub-Region 32

UAE


Iran


Arabian

Peninsula

Sub-Region

West Asia

Sub-Region 32

UAE


Iran


Arabian

Peninsula

Sub-Region

West Asia

Sub-Region 32


Figure 1: Number of Participants Representing AARINENA and/or Participated in

AARINENA Events during 2008-2011. 2.3. Global and Inter-Regional Collaboration Session

2.3.1. GCARD Road Map

A presentation on the roadmap for the Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development (GCARD) was given by Dr. Mark Holderness (GFAR Executive Secretary), who emphasized that the GCARD process is radically reshaping agricultural innovation and its significance in meeting key Millennium Development Goals. Principally GCARD is organized by the Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR), in association with the reform process of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). The overall aim of the GCARD roadmap is to transform agricultural research for development (AR4D) systems for global impacts and to shape the work plan of GFAR for the period 2012-2014. The main parts of the roadmap included the new context of AR4D, reasons behind the launch of road map, the requirements of AR4D systems to increase their impacts in development, the challenges and opportunities in transforming AR4D, the key stakeholders to be involved, and the strategic elements the roadmap. Dr. Holderness presented the AR4D priorities and actions. Also, he emphasized the fact that this roadmap is providing a plan for collaborative action for transforming and strengthening AR4D systems globally, in which all stakeholders have vital roles to play. Subsequently the roadmap promotes the innovations that are driven by the needs for poor farmers and consumers.

The GCARD 1 roadmap included six essential characteristics of well-functioning AR4D systems defined through the GCARD 2010 process as following:

1) Inclusive identification of key AR4D priorities and actions evolving national, regional and global development;

2) Investment in ensuring equitable partnership and accountability among all stakeholders of agricultural innovation and development change;


3) Active achievement of increased investment in human, institutional and financial resources for AR4D systems to meet demands in development;

4) Development of required institutional capacities for generation, access and effective use of agricultural knowledge in development;

5) Effective coordination of linkages relating agricultural innovation to development programmes and policies;

6) Demonstration of roadmap value and gains recognition by society through involvement of stakeholders in effective monitoring, evaluation and reporting of outcomes

Strategic elements, required roles, desired outcomes and milestones were identified for each essential characteristic. The link between the GCARD1 roadmap and AARINENA's 2012 program was also explained. The presentation was followed by comments and questions on the level of investment from international community and the changes in cultural issues and the level of advocacy by GFAR. Dr. Holderness responded to these comments and questions by mentioning that political recognition has been achieved and more fund will be allocated to support AR4D. Also, he ensured that stronger advocacy for investment with focus on small holdings farmers in the GCARD work plans.

2.3.2. Updated Strategy for Plant Genetic Resources (PGR)

Dr. Zehni (AARINENA Consultant) presented the contents and parts of the proposed strategy for conservation and sustainable use of PGR in the NENA region. The nagging questions that lead to the idea of developing this document were listed and explained by the speaker. The strategy included four parts with several contents as follows:

1. Part One: Background, Justification and Assessment Introduction.

A New Initiative, Scene Setting, The Region, The state of agricultural Production in the Region, The State of Agricultural Research, The State of diversity, The state of in situ management, The state of ex situ conservation, The state of Use, The state of national programmes, training and legislation, The state of regional and international collaboration, Access to PGRFA, benefit-sharing arising from their use, and Farmers’ Rights.

2. Part Two: Strategy for the Future.

Preface, Vision, Mission, Goal, Main Objective, Specific Objectives, Output, Actions to Strengthen National Programmes, Coordination at National Level, Capacity-building and Upgrading Requirements, Policy and Legal Issues, Areas in need for upgrading/building capacity, Coordination at Regional Level, Areas for Regional Collaboration, and Collaboration with regional/ international organizations.

3. Part Three: A Framework for Action:

General, Elements for a Framework of Action, State of diversity, Conservation, Sustainable use, Management of PGR information, Policy and Legislation, Capacity Building, Building Sustainable National programmes, Regional and International Collaboration, Access to PGRFA, Sharing of Benefits Arising out of their Use and Farmers’ Rights, and Contribution of Plant genetic Resources Beyond Traditional Crops.


4. Part Four: Towards a Regional Information System

Basis for the eventual initiation of a regional information system, services that the system will provide, emphasis on data preservation and regular future updating.

Dr. Zehni emphasized that the strategy, as perfect as it may appear, remains a mere document on the shelf unless the countries and/or organizations it is meant to serve take genuine interest and adopt/use it, in full or part, as their own. The possible next steps would include AARINENA as first entry point, custody by the Coordinating Board of NENA-PGRN, consultations with countries and relevant organizations, and oversight by the AARINENA Executive Committee This voluntary work was led by Dr Zehni and the draft Strategy came to life by the insight and contribution of a small voluntary team comprising Dr Ahmed Amri (ICARDA), Dr. Ali Al-lawati (Oman), Dr. Jan Engels (Bioversity International), Dr. El-Tahir Ibrahim Mohamed (Sudan), Dr. Hassan Ouabbou (Morocco), Dr. Harry Palmier (GFAR) and Dr. George Ayad Wagdi (Egypt). Following the presentation, the president of AARINENA and the participants indicated the importance of this strategy and the high value of Development Opportunity Crops (DOCs) and the commitment towards this strategy and its implementation.

2.3.3. CGIAR Reforms and Research Programs: Implications for West Asia and North Africa

A presentation was given by Dr. Mahmoud Solh, Director General of ICARDA, about the CGIAR Reforms and the Impetus for Change. He mentioned that the CGIAR system has evolved into an increasingly complex entity, with inadequate coordination and funding increasingly restricted. The 2008 CGIAR Independent Review showed that the CGIAR Centers contribute substantially to agricultural productivity and natural resources management. However, the CGIAR is in urgent need of structural change if it is to respond to new challenges with its full potential.

The main goals of the CGIAR change process are to have a focused system with a clear vision and strategic direction and values dynamic partnerships, as well as a financially strengthened and cost effective CGIAR. Such a system is also expected to provide an exciting research environment, which attracts, develops and supports the best scientists.

The main contents of presentation included the following:

1. Goals of the change process

2. Reform Principles

3. Centers’ Goals

4. CGIAR’s New Vision and Strategic Objectives

5. The Integrated Reform Proposal

6. New structure of the CGIAR

7. How the new CGIAR will function

8. The Consortium of Centers

9. Strategy and Results Framework


10. Portfolio of CGIAR Research Programs

11. CGIAR Research Programs (CRPs)

12. The Fund and Accountability for Funds

The most important outcome from this reform was the CGIAR Research Programs (CRPs) which included the following thematic areas:

1) CRP 1: Integrated agriculture systems for the poor and vulnerable

2) CRP2: Policies, institutions, and markets for food security and incomes for the rural poor

3) CRP 3: Sustainable productivity increase for global food security (Wheat, Maize, Global Rice Science Partnership, Roots, Tubers and Bananas, Grain Legumes, Dryland Cereals (sorghum, millet and barley), Livestock and fish).

4) CRP4: Agriculture for improved nutrition and health

5) CRP5: Water, land and ecosystems

6) CRP6: Forests, Trees and Agroforestry

7) CRP7: Climate change, agriculture and food security

Dr Solh presented the current status of the above mentioned CRPs which were either approved or in the stage of approval. Also, he listed the target regions for the CGIAR which were: the West African Sahel and dry savannas, East and Southern Africa, North Africa and West Asia, Central Asia, and South Asia. Eventually, the key Strategic Research Themes (SRT) to achieve the objectives of the CGIAR reform would include Approaches and models (SRT1), reducing vulnerability and managing risk (SRT2), Sustainable intensification for more production and profit (SRT3), and Impact assessment and cross-regional synthesis to promote investment (SRT4).

2.3.4. Information and Communication Management (ICM) Status Report in WANA

Mrs. Taraneh Ebrahimi, The AARINENA-RAIS Secretary Web Manager, presented the ICM status report in WANA. The report, which was prepared by Mrs. Taraneh and by Dr. Mohammad Majdalawi (UOJ), included the following contents:

Introduction: Why ICT/ICM? History of RAIS in WANA Region Brief review of previous WANA ICT reports Scope and Methodology of the report Status of ICT/ICM in AR4D in the WANA Region Conclusion Recommendations

The presentation started by explaining that ICT is a crucial element in establishing the sustainable development in any country. Subsequently, the new Information and Communication Management (ICM) techniques offer yet more effective management of Agricultural Research for Development (AR4D). The presentation of Mrs. Taraneh included the background on the RAIS history in WANA, detailed description of the recent activities done in the region related to the sharing and exchanging information and knowledge and a brief review


of previous WANA ICT reports. The scope and methodology of the report were presented, as well as the details related to the questionnaires, which formed a framework for Assessing ICT/ICM of NAIS/NARS.

The report concluded that the ICM skills and capacities (web management, programming, Network management…etc.) in NARS are almost fully developed and most of NARS in the regions have required skills. On the other hand, the use of social networking tools is not so encouraging and there are weaknesses in this area. Regarding policies and strategies related to the information integration, the NARS need to strengthen and change the policies toward more interaction and integration with regional and international standards. The main recommendations from the report were to fully utilize the strong ICT Infrastructure, good skilled human resources and the available tools. Also, there is an urgent need to strengthen the awareness and understanding of the benefits of ICT/ICM.

2.3.5. Implementation of Agro ICT Packages for Integrated Water and Land Management in WANA

The speaker in this session was Dr. Jawad Al-Bakri (GIS-RS Expert), who presented a draft concept proposal on implementing Agro-ICT packages for integrated water and land management in the WANA region. The proposal was a fruit of the Expert Consultation Meeting on GIS Application for Agricultural Development in the WANA Region, held on 7-8 June 2011, in Amman, Jordan.

The aim of this project is to meet the needs of resource poor smallholder farmers and producers in better managing their water along with land resources and improving farm productivity and returns attempts. This will be achieved by establishing a program and mechanisms for regional sharing of information, knowledge, skills and technology. This program will include all packages related to land and water management and will provide a real-time spatial information at different levels to the different stakeholders and beneficiaries from the system.

Dr. Al-Bakri presented the components of the project which would include an ortho-rectified high resolution images, soil moisture sensors, automatic weather stations, Sensors for soil NPK, models for plant diseases and pests, models for crop yield, early warning systems for farmers, economical models and others. The project would bring different stakeholders and end users to benefit from the provided information. Also, it would open marketing channels for produced crops. Training would form a major component of the project and would enable the project managers and technicians to translate data into information for farmers, cooperatives and investors from inside and outside the WANA region. Projected budgets of the project were based on documents and feedback from PROGIS and Microsoft, who would be partners in this vital project.

The session was followed by questions and discussions from the participants who showed some concern about financing mechanisms and the infrastructure needed for the project, as well as the sustainability of the project. Dr. Al-Bakri explained that NARS of WANA region would ensure project's sustainability. Also, some participants showed that they have many of the needed infrastructures for this ambitious project. Some suggestions were made to implement a pilot project based on the proposal submitted and to out-scale the project based on the outcomes from the pilot project.


2.3.6. EFARD: Opportunities under EC Framework 7 for AARINENA

The last speaker in this session was Dr. Derek Russell, consultant for EFARD, who introduced the European Forum for Agricultural Research for Development (EFARD) and mapped the ARD networks in Europe. He also provided an overview of EC Framework 7 possibilities for WANA (Table 1).

Table 1: Summary of the FP7 programmes and research priorities with potential for WANA region.

Potential Programme Main Research Priorities Knowledge Bio-Based Economy (KBBE)

Mitigating and adapting to climate change, Food security and safety for Europe and beyond

ICT ICT for a lower carbon economy

Energy Carbon capture and storage

Environment Coping with Climate Change

Socio-Economic Sciences and Humanities (SSH)

Support for developing the external policies of the EU

Space Support to the coordinated provision of observation data

Research Infrastructure Support for policy development

International Cooperation - INCO-NET for Medit. Partner Countries - BILAT for Jordan and Morocco

IDEAS Criteria only scientific excellence

Marie Curie Researcher Exchange Programmes

Dr. Russell explained that the European coordination mechanisms for International Agricultural Research are based on the following structures:

1. The European Initiative for Agricultural Research for Development (EIARD) which facilitates the coordination of European policy and support for AR4D.

2. The Agricultural Research for Development dimension of the European Research Area (ERA-ARD) which seeks to improve synergies between the European national ARD programme and to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of European research planning, funding and implementation as well as to support a more rapid and sustainable development in the poorest countries in the world.

The European Alliance on Agricultural Knowledge for Development (AGRINATURA) which includes 35 universities and research organizations from 18 countries working with agricultural research, education, training and capacity strengthening. The AGRINATURA institutions are the most likely European research partners for WANA regions researchers and a number of mechanisms exist for collaborative work, student training and staff


exchanges. EFARD does not have its own funds for collaborative work with WANA but is interested in facilitating research and training contacts especially in the areas of Food Security, Gender Focus, Trade and Barriers and Food Safety standards. The promotion of a broadening of the stakeholder base (farmers associations, NGOs… etc.) in the region is a particular priority.

Dr. Russell presented the main achievements of EFARD since 2005. EFARD has been following the principles of the GFAR, and organized the steps of the European consultation for the GCARD.

European support for ARD is especially through the Food Security Thematic Programme and the Framework programmes (FPs). The FP7 work programme (2007-13) was introduced with actions costing over €8 billion. The programmes with potential for WANA and relevant research priorities within these were summarized (Table 1). Framework 8 is expected to follow from 2013 and to be more focused on the implementation of research results.

The main points raised at the end of this session were about the criteria of granting and the procedures to be followed, as well as the need for improved communications between researchers in WANA and potential FP7 network partners in the EU.

2.4. AARINENA Financial Statement Session

The session was opened by Dr. Ahmed Al-Bakri, who introduced the agenda for the second day of the GC meeting. Dr. Al-Bakri asked the Executive Secretary (Dr. Hamdan) to present AARINENA financial and membership status up to the end of October 2011. The total expenses during this period, including the cost of the 12th GC and the international conference on climate change, were about US$ 172,710. The revenues were about US$ 260,247. The end balance in 2011 is US$ 182,888 (Table 2). Table 2: Summary of AARINENA Expenses till end of November 2011.

Item Amount in US$

Balance end of October 2010 234,599.36

Funds received from 1st Nov. 2010 – 30 Oct. 2011 260,246.90

Sub-Total 494,846.26

Expenses 172,710.342

Committed Expenses 139,247.68

Sub-Total 311,958.022

End Balance 182,888.238

Dr. Hamdan presented the detailed expenses of the AARINENA activities which were distributed among meetings, conferences, consultation, workshops, training, reports-writing and newsletters and publications. The committed expenses would be distributed among


AARINENA 12th GC and the international conference on climate change, WANA ICM report, women empowerment study, AARINENA and ASTI/IFPRI survey, WANA farmers Forum, Secretarial support staff, NGO consortium, AARINEANA ECPGR workshop and AARINENA publications and website. The funds were received, or in the process, from 19 countries and from the international organizations (ACSAD, AOAD, ICARDA, BI, IFPRI, ICBA). The GFAR contribution for AARINENA Retreat in Nov. 2010 was US$ 12,566. The contribution of EC through GFAR was US$ 176,000 with a remaining balance of US$ 44,000. The membership fees from member countries were in the range of US$ 42,000 to 49,000 in the last three years. The contributions from the international organizations, excluding GFAR, were US$ 19,000 in year 2010 and US$ 17,000 in year 2011. A proposal was made by the AARINENA president to increase the membership fees. The justifications for the increase were the need to cover the activities of the AARINENA and to contract a full-time Executive Secretary, as Dr. Hamdan is expected to leave his part-time position by October 2012.The feedback from participants and the discussions were on the mechanism of increase and the target date for it. The GC agreed to increase the membership fees from the start of 2013. The increase will be as follows:

A. Full membership fees from US$ 3000 to US$ 5000. B. Associate membership fees from 2000 to 3000 US$.

The GC welcomed the idea of having new members from universities that have faculties and institutions involved in agricultural research. The benefits from joining AARINENA would be much more than the costs and fees of the membership. The Director General of ICARDA urged the GC to emphasize this fact when contacting, or arranging high-level meetings with decision makers of international and regional organizations to join AARINENA. 2.5. AARINENA Constitution Amendments Session

The Executive Secretary presented suggestions to make some amendments and edits to three articles of the constitution. These were articles VIII, IX and XI. The amendments were mainly related to shorten the period of presidency to become one time for three years without re-election in the next three years, with president and vice-president being elected from two different sub-regions. The floor was then opened for discussion and suggestions to finalize the amendments. By the end of this session, the participants agreed to approve the amendments as following: ARTICLE VIII

5. The General Conference shall elect, in the conditions mentioned in Article IX, paragraph 1, the six members of the Executive Committee including President and Vice President. The term of office of the President and Vice-President will be of three years and will not be eligible for immediate re-election for the same office. ARTICLE IX Executive Committee 1. The Executive Committee shall consist of nine members, including the President and Vice-President. The President and the five sub regional representatives are elected at each triennial


session of the Conference from amongst representatives of the full members on the basis of their administrative positions. The three representatives from CGIAR Centers, GFAR and CSOs are nominated by their respective organizations. The President who represents the whole region is elected from the full members by the majority votes of the full members at the General Conference based on his/her own merit and qualification. The Vice President who also represents a sub region in the Executive Committee is elected at the General Conference amongst the representatives of the sub- regions by majority votes of the full members. The President and the Vice President will be elected from two different sub regions for the next term. With the exception of the President, no sub-region will have more than one representative in the Executive Committee. All officers elected for the Executive Committee shall take office at the end of the Conference session in which they are elected until the end of the next triennial session; they shall not be eligible for immediate re-election of the same office for more than two terms with the exception of the President and the Vice President which will be elected for one term only. ARTICLE XI

The Executive Secretary of the Association shall be appointed by the executive committee for a period of four years renewable once, and according to the rules and conditions and terms of employment set by the Conference. The session was followed by a discussion on the issues of having more than a full member from the same country. The GC agreed to consult the constitution to make sure that the country in such cases would have one vote. The other suggestion was on the possibility of overlapping the period of vice-presidency between the periods of two consecutive presidents to enable the transfer of AARINENA presidency while continuity is ensured. The GC agreed to consider the appropriate mechanism to achieve this objective. 2.6. AARINENA Election Session

The session was chaired by Dr. Ahmed Al-Bakri and co-chaired by the Nomination Officer, Dr. Mohamed Roozitalab. In this session, the representative of full membership participated in selecting the new president of AARINENA for the coming three years (2011-2014), as approved by the new amendments made to the constitution. Prior to elections, all participants agreed to waive Palestine from the membership fees and to allow its representative to participate in elections and voting. The sub-regional representatives elected five members from their respective sub-regions. The final results of the newly elected AARINENA Executive Committee members were as follows:

Dr. Faisal Awawdeh (Jordan), AARINENA President

Dr. Eltahir Siddig Ali (Sudan), Vice President and Representative of the Nile Valley & Red

Sea Sub-region

Dr. Nasser Al-Khalifah (Saudi Arabia), Member Representative of the Arabian Peninsula

Sub-region

Dr. Habib Amamou (Tunisia), Member Representative of the Maghreb Sub-region

Dr. Mohamed Abu-Eid (Palestine), Member Representative of the Mashreq Sub-region

Dr. Mojtaba Rajab Baigi (Iran), Member Representative of West Asia Sub-region

Dr. Mahmoud Solh, Member, Representative of CGIAR

Dr. Mark Holderness, Member, Representative of GFAR


2.7. Venue and date of the next General Conference

The General Conference of AARINENA agreed to have the 13th GC meeting in Turkey during November 2014. The exact date will be determined later, during the new executive committee meetings and with consultation with the Turkish member. 2.8. Concluding Remarks and Vote of Thanks

The GC expressed its deepest gratitude and appreciation for KISR and its staff for their continuous and tireless efforts to make the GC meeting and the climate change conference successful and fruitful. The efforts of Dr. Ibrahim Hamdan, AARINENA Executive Secretary, and the efforts of the previous representatives of the five sub-regions were acknowledged by the chair of the session and by all participants of the GC. The new president of AARINENA (Dr. Faisal Awawdeh) addressed the GC and appreciated the efforts of Dr Ahmed Al-Bakri, Dr Ibrahim Hamdan and the members of AARINENA. He promised to dedicate as much of his time as possible to serve AARINENA and its activities and to build on the achievements made by the previous presidents. 2.9. The New Executive Committee Meeting

The meeting was chaired by the newly elected AARINENA President, Dr. Faisal Awawdeh who welcomed the Executive Committee members and the Search Committee for the recruitment of the Executive Secretary. Then he asked the Executive Secretary, Dr. Hamdan to address the first item on the agenda "the work plan for 2012." Dr. Hamdan indicated that the work plan will be the continuation of the work plan according to AARINENA road map presented in the General Conference to finalize the existing committed activities in the Letters of Agreements with GFAR and FAO for the preparation of GCARD II to be held in Uruguay November/December 2012. AARINENA delegation GCARD II will be selected during the next meeting of the Executive Committee. With regards to the second item on the agenda "criteria for the selection of the new Executive Secretary" it was agreed that the search committee will meet and discuss the criteria on the basis of the vacancy announcement posted at AARINENA web then to interview the short listed candidates at AARINENA office in Amman in March/April 2012. The Committee agreed to hold its next meeting in Amman-Jordan following the search committee meeting. At the end of the meeting Dr. Awawdeh thanked the members and wished them safe return home.

Annex I: Agenda of the international conference on climate change 17

3. ANNEX I: PROGRAM FOR THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND FOOD SECURITY IN WEST ASIA AND NORTH AFRICA

Kuwait City, 13-16 November 2011

Venue: Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research

(Venue: Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research)

SATURDAY, 12 NOVEMBER 2011 Participants arrive in Kuwait City SUNDAY, 13 NOVEMBER 2011 08:30-09:30 a.m. Registration SESSION 1: OPENING OF THE CONFERENCE 09:30 a.m. National Anthem Holy Quran Opening Address Mr. Ahmad Al-Mulaifi Minister of Education & Higher Education

Chairman, Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research (KISR) Board, of Trustees;

Representative of His Highness the Amir of the state of Kuwait 09:45 a.m. Welcome Naji Al Mutari Director General Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research (KISR) 09:50 a.m. Welcome Mannava Sivakumar

Director, Climate Prediction and Adaptation Branch World Meteorological Organization (WMO) & Chairman, International Organizing Committee

9:55 a.m. Address Ahmad Al-Bakri, President of the Association of Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East and North Africa (AARINENA) 10:00 a.m. Address Maarten van Ginkel Deputy Director General for Research International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) 10:05 a.m. Address


Saad Aied Al-Otaibi Assistant Director General Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) 10:10 a.m. Address Richard Moore The Ohio State University 10:15 a.m. Keynote Address Michel Jarraud Secretary-General World Meteorological Organization (WMO) 10:30 a.m. Group Photo and Tea/Coffee Break SESSION 2: CLIMATE CHANGE IN WEST ASIA AND NORTH AFRICA (WANA): OVERVIEW (Chairman: Rattan Lal Co-Chair: Yousif Al Shayji) 11:30 a.m. Mannava Sivakumar . Alex Ruane, Cynthia Rosenzweig and Jose Camacho World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Switzerland, and NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS), United States of America 12:00 noon Implications of Climate Change for Agriculture and Food Security in the WANA Region Selvaraju Ramasamy et al. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Italy. 12:30 p.m. Discussion 1:00 p.m. Lunch SESSION 3: CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENT (Chairman: Samira Omar Co-Chair: M. Bahouh) 2 :00 p.m. Soil Quality in the WANA Region for Adapting to Climate Change and Advancing Food Security Rattan Lal The Ohio State University, United States 2:30 p.m. Conserving green and blue water in the WANA region Hamed Daly-Hassen, Yves Birot and Carlos Gracia INGREF, Tunisia; EFIMED, France; and GREAF-UB, Spain


3:00 p.m. Managing agriculture water resources under Scarcity and Climate Change in Agriculture in the Dry Areas Theib Oweis International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Syria Arab Republic 3:30 p.m. Tea/Coffee Break 4:00 p.m. Climate Change and Land Use in the WANA Region M. Ibrahim and Rattan Lal The Ohio State University, United States 4:30 p.m. Soil Quality and Insect Pest Dynamics in a Warmer CO2 Enriched Climate Dan Herms The Ohio State University, United States.

5:00 p.m. Climate Change and Locusts in the WANA Region

Keith Cressman Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO),

Italy 5:30 p.m. General Discussion 6:00 p.m. Adjournment MONDAY, 14 NOVEMBER 2011

SESSION 4: CLIMATE CHANGE AND FOOD SECURITY: PERSPECTIVES FROM WANA SUB-REGIONS

(Chairman: Mark Holderness Co-Chair Husam Alomirah) 08 :30 a.m. Climate Change Impact on WANA: Key Researchable Issues and Proposed Measures Ibrahim Hamdan Association of Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East and North Africa (AARINENA), Jordan 09:00 a.m. Climate Change and Food Security in the Arabian Peninsula Abdullah Dakheel International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), United Arab Emirates 09:30 a.m. Climate Change and Food Security in the Maghreb


Dr Fatima Driouech National Meteorological Service, Morocco 10:00 a.m. Climate Change in Dry Lands of the

Eastern Mediterranean: from Assessment Methods to Adaptation Strategies

Eddy De-Pauw International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Syrian Arab Republic. 10:30 a.m. Tea/Coffee Break 11:00 a.m. Climate Change and Food Security in the Nile Valley and Red Sea Ayman Abouhadid Arid Land Agricultural Studies and Research Institute (ALARI) Ain Shams University, Egypt 11:30 a.m. Food security and climate change in West Asia Ibrahim Ortas and Rattan Lal

Cukurova University, Turkey; The Ohio State University,

United States. 12:00 noon General Discussion 12:30 p.m. Lunch SESSION 5: MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION OPTIONS FOR DIFFERENT AGROECONOMIC SECTORS IN WANA (Chairman: Ahmed Al Bakri Co-Chair: M. Salman) 2:00 p.m. Mitigation and adaptation options for different agro-aconomic sectors in WANA Awni Taiemeh University of Jordan 2:30 p.m. Mitigation and adaptation options of climate change for irrigated Agriculture in WANA Dia Eldin ElQuosy National Research Center of Water, Egypt 3:00 p.m. Climate change adaptation and mitigation options for the livestock sector in the Middle East Markos Tibbo and Jeannette van de steeg Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Regional Office for the Near East, Egypt.


3:30 p.m. Tea/Coffee Break 4:00 p.m. Afforestation in the WANA Region for Adaptation and Mitigation of Climate Change and Improving Soil Quality Roger Williams The Ohio State University United States. 4:30 p.m. Fisheries and Aquaculture: KISR Studies Jim Bishop and Mohsen Al-Hussaini

Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), Kuwait

5:00 p.m. Intensification and Diversification of Production Systems for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in the dry areas Rachid Serraj, B. Rischkowsky, M. Louhaichi, R. Sommer, M. El-Bouhssini, C Piggin, A. Aw-Hassan and M. Van Ginkel International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Syrian Arab Republic. 5:30 p.m. General Discussion 6:00 p.m. Adjournment 8:00 p.m. Dinner hosted by KISR

TUESDAY, 15 NOVEMBER 2011 SESSION 6: POLICY, FINANCIAL, INSTITUTIONAL AND COOPERATION ISSUES

(Chairman: Ibrahim Hamdan) 08:30 a.m. Mainstreaming Adaptation into Development Agenda Kamel Shideed and Nasri Haddad International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) 09:00 a.m. Possible Financial Innovations and market mechanisms at the national level to cope with climate change. S.V.R.K. Prabhakar Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, Japan. 09:30 a.m. Economic and social costs of climate change; Assessments for the Syrian Arab Republic and Yemen. Clemens Breisinger

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI),

United States.


10:00 a.m. Human Dimensions of Climate change

Adaptation; Factors that influence behaviors

Eric Toman and Richard Moore The Ohio State University, United States 10:30 a.m. Tea/Coffee Break 11:00 a.m. Climate Change Adaptation and Development Cooperation Rami Salman International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Italy 11:30 a.m. General Discussion 12:00 noon Lunch SESSION 7: BREAKOUT SESSIONS TO DISCUSS REGIONAL AGRICULTURE MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION FRAMEWORK FOR CLIMATE CHANGE IN WANA

(Chairman: Richard Moore) 1:30 p.m. Presentation of Draft Regional adaptation Framework Ghassan Hamdallah and Mannava Sivakumar

Jordan and the World meteorological Organization, Switzerland.

2:00 p.m. Discussion on Breakout Groups and Terms of Reference Mannava Sivakumar

World Meteorological Organization, Switzerland

12:15 p.m. Meetings of Breakout Groups Group I: Crops Group II: Livestock, Grasslands and Rangelands Group III: Land Use and Forestry Group IV: Fishery and Aquaculture Group V: Institutions, Policy and Cooperation 3:30 p.m. Tea/Coffee Break 4:00 p.m. Meetings of Breakout Groups (contd.) 6:00 p.m. Adjournment


WEDNESDAY, 16 NOVEMBER 2011 SESSION 8: PLENARY TO CONSIDER BREAKOUT GROUP REPORTS

(Chairman: Mannava Sivakumar Co-Chair: Keith Cressman) Presentation of Breakout Group reports followed by Discussion 08:30 a.m. Group I: Crops 09:00 a.m. Group II: Livestock, Grasslands and Rangelands 09:00 a.m. Group III: Land Use and Forestry 10:00 a.m. Group IV: Fishery and Aquaculture 10:30 a.m. Group V: Institutions, Policy and Cooperation 11:00 a.m. Tea/Coffee Break SESSION 9: CLOSING SESSION (Chairman: Mahmoud Solh) 11:30 a.m. Address Naji Al Mutari

Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research (KISR)

11:45 a.m. Conference declaration 11:55 a.m. Address Selvaraju Ramasamy Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) 12:05 p.m. Word of Thanks form the organizers Mannava Sivakumar World Meteorological Organization 12:15 p.m. Remarks by the Chair Mahmoud Solh 12:30 p.m. Workshop closing Yousif Al Shayji KISR

Annex II: List of Participants in AARINENA GC 24

4. ANNEX II: LIST OF PARTICIPANTS 4.1. Member Country Institutions

1. Cyprus

Dr. Polycarpos Polycarpou Senior Agricultural Research Officer Head of Soil Science Dept. and Ag. Eng. Agricultural Research Institute (ARI) P.O. Box 22016 1516 Lefkosia, Cyprus Tel. 00357 22403117 [email protected]

2. Egypt

ARC Dr. Salah Abul Moemen President of ARC ARC, 9 Gamaa st., 12619 Giza, Egypt Tel 202-35722609, Fax 202-35722069 E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]

3. Iran

a) AREEO Dr. Mohamed Roozitalab Advisor, AREEO Yemen Ave, Evin, P.O. Box 19835-111 Tehran, Iran Tel +98 21 2402483, 2402987 Mobile +989122181624 Fax +98 21 2402547, 2400568 E-mail [email protected] b) AREEO Dr. Mojtaba Rajab Baigi Director General, Dept. of International Scientific and Research Relations, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran Tel: +98-21-22429783, +966-1-4883444/4883555 Fax: +966-1-481-3441 E-mail: [email protected]

4. Jordan

a) NCARE Dr. Faisal Awawdeh Director General of National Center for Agricultural Research & Extension (NCARE) P.O. Box 639 Baqaa 19381 Jordan Fax: 962-6-4726099 E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected] b) UOJ Prof. Omar Kafawin University of Jordan (UOJ) Dean, Faculty of Agriculture University of Jordan, Amman-Jordan Tel +962-6-5355000 E-mail: [email protected] c) UOJ - IARTEE Dr. Jamal Sawwan Professor of Ornamental Horticulture & Biotechnology Dean, Institute of Agricultural Research, Training, Extension and Education (IARTEE) University of Jordan Amman, Jordan Phone 00962 777 499 048 E-mail: [email protected]

5. Kuwait

Dr. Yousif Al-Shayji Research Scientist/Dept. Manager Biotechnology, Food Resources & Marine Sciences (FRD), Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) P. O. Box: 24885 Safat 13109, Kuwait Tel: +965-24836100/5500-5501 Direct: +965-24836100 Fax: +96524834670 [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]










6. Lebanon

Dr. Michel Afram President and Director of General Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute (LARI) Tal Amara, Rayak P. O. Box Zahle 287 - Lebanon Tel : +961-8-901575 & 901576, Fax : +961-8-900077 E-mail: [email protected]

7. Oman

Dr. Ahmed Nasser Al-Bakri Director of Agriculture Production Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture P.O. Box 50, P C. 121 Seeb - Sultanate of Oman Mobile: +968-99-359797 Fax: +968 24695909 E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

8. Palestine

Dr. Mohamed Abu-Eid Director of National Agricultural Research Center (NARC) Ministry of Agriculture Jenin, Qabatiah, Palestine Tel: + 970598934191 + 97042515457 E-mail: [email protected]

9. Saudi Arabia

Dr. Nasser Al-Khalifah Director of Research Stations King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) P. O. Box 6086 _ Riyadh 11442 E-mail: [email protected]

10. Syria

Dr. M. Naif Al-Salty Director General General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research Tel. +963 11 5741940, Mobile: +963 944975947 Damascus, Syria E-mail: [email protected]

11. Sudan

Prof. Eltahir Siddig Ali Research Professor Director General, Agricultural Research Corporation, P.O.Box 126, Wad Medani SUDAN Phone: + 249 912802296 (M) + 249 511 843890 (Office) Fax: + 249 511 843213 Email: [email protected]

12. Tunisia Dr. Boubaker Karray Resercher , l’Institution de la Recherche et de l’Enseignement Supérieur Agricoles (IRESA) 30 rue Alain Savary 1002 – Tunis Fax ++ 216 71 796 170 Email: [email protected]

13. Turkey Mr. Bülent Sönmez Head of Research Department of Soil and Water Resources MoFA&L General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Politics (GDAR) E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

14. Yemen

Dr. Mohamed Al Ashwal Chairman of Agricultural Research & Extension Authority, AREA. P.O. Box: 87148 Dhamar-Yemen Tel: 00967 423913 Mob: +967-733-

770422 Fax: 00967 6 423914 Email: [email protected]













4.2. Regional & International Organisations

1. AARINENA

Dr. Ibrahim Hamdan Executive Secretary Association of Agricultural Research Institutions in Near East and North Africa (AARINENA ) Tel: +962 6 552 57 50 Fax: +962 6 552 5930 P.O.Box: 950764 Amman 11195 Jordan ihamdan@link ; [email protected] Mrs. Taraneh Ebrahimi AARINENA-RAIS Secretary Web Manager Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO) Yemen Ave, Chamran Highway, Agric Research, Education and Extension P.O. Box: 19395-1113 Tel: 0098 21 22413931 Fax: 0098 21 22413931 Email: [email protected]; [email protected] Dr. Mohamed Zehni (Consultant) 149 Triq El Qasam Swieqi STJ , Malta E-mail: [email protected] Dr. Jawad Al-Bakri Department of Land, Water and Environment, Faculty of Agriculture University of Jordan Amman, Jordan Tel: +962-5355000 Ext. 22449 Mobile: +962-777-484466 Email: [email protected]

2. ACSAD

Dr. Ali Zidan Vice Director of Sustainable Land & Water The Arab Center for Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) P. O. Box 2440 Damascus, Syria Tel +963-11-5743087/39 Fax +963-11-5743063 Email: [email protected]

3. Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development

Dr. Assad Al Mustafa Consultant Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, P. O. Box: 21923 Tel: (965) 2495 9000 Safat 13080 Kuwait Email: [email protected]

4. EFARD

Derek Russell (Consultant) Agriculture, Health and Environment Group, Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, UK Tel: +61 3 8344 2362; Mob +61 (0) 425 824081 Fax: +61 (0) 3 9347 5352; E-mail: [email protected]

5. Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)

Dr Alain Ange French Technical Advisor Partnerships and Strategic Alliances No 12 Anmeda Street, Roman Ridge, PMB CT 173, Accra, Ghana Mobile: +233 543287898 Tel: +233 302 772823 Fax: +233 302 773676 [email protected]

6. Food and Agricultural Organization

(FAO)

Mohamed Aw-Dahir Regional Food Systems Economist(Trade and Food Security) UN Food and Agriculture Organization Regional Office for the Near East (RNE) 11 Al Eslah El Zaria St., Dokki, Cairo, Egypt FAO/RNE Email: [email protected] Tel: 00 20 2 33316000 - Ext. 2805 Mobile: 00 20 15 1760 1214

mailto:ihamdan@link












4.3. NGOs and Farmers

1. Eng. Mohamed El-Kholy Vice President Of Egyptian Association for Supporting Olive Growers (EASOG) 10 Mohamed Tawfik Diab Street 6th District-Nasr City, Cairo Egypt Mobile: +20123107218 E-mail: [email protected] 2. Dr. Ali Darwish Green Line, A Scientific Association for Conservation Yamout Blg., 3rd Floor , SpearsSt 174 Beirut, Lebanon Telfax:+961.1.746215 Mobile:+961.1.3.372660 E-mail:[email protected]

7. FORAGRO

Dr. Mario Allegri Chair, FORAGRO 11200 Montevideo, Uruguay Tel.:(+5982) 4101676 Fax: (+598 2) 4101780 E-mail: [email protected]

8. GFAR

Dr. Mark Holderness Executive Secretary Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR) C/O FAO/NRRD, Viale Delle Terme Di Caracalla, 00153 Rome, Italy Tel: +39-06-5705-3413 [email protected]

9. ICARDA

Dr. Mahmoud Solh Director General P. O. Box 5466 Aleppo, Syria Fax: +963-21-2225105 Tel: +963-21-26912000 E-mail: [email protected]

10. ICBA

Dr. Abdullah ALDakheel Senior Scientist International Center for Biosaline Agriculture P.O. Box 14660 Tel.: +971506236580 Dubai-UAE Email: [email protected]

11. International Food Policy

Research Institute (IFPRI)

Dr. Clemens Breisinger Development Strategy and Governance International Food Policy Research Institute 2033 K Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20006, USA Tel: +1 (202) 862-4638 Email: [email protected]






Annex III: Agenda of AARINENA 12th GC 28

5. ANNEX III: AGENDA OF AARINENA 12TH GC MEETING

Association of Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East and North Africa (AARINENA)

12th General Conference Meeting

16-17 November 2011, Kuwait

Time Activity/Topic Speaker/Chair

Wednesday, 16 November 2011

14:00- 14:15 Welcome by AARINENA President, Dr. Ahmed Al-Bakri

- Adoption of the Agenda

-Election of Reporter and Nomination Officer

14:15- 15:00 Progress Report (2008-2011)

Dr. Ibrahim Hamdan

15.00-15:30 GCARD Road Map

Dr. Mark Holderness

15:30-16:00 Updated Strategy for PGR

Dr. Mohamed Zehni

16:00-16:30 Coffee Break & Group Picture

16:30-17:00 ICM Status Report in WANA

Mrs. Taraneh Ebrahimi

17:00-17:30 Implementation of Agro ICT Packages for Integrated Water and Land Management in WANA

Dr. Jawad Al-Bakri

17:30-18:00 EFARD: Opportunities under EC Framework 7 for AARINENA

Dr. Derek Russell

18:00- 18:30 General Discussion

18:30-18:45 Election Announcement

Nomination Officer

Thursday, 17 November 2011

09:00-9:30

- Financial and Membership Status - Proposal for membership fees increase - Administrative issues & Constitutional Amendments

Dr. Ibrahim Hamdan

09:30-:11:00 -Election of five Sub-Regional Representatives -Election of President and Vice President

Nomination Officer

Annex III: Agenda of AARINENA 12th GC 29

Time Activity/Topic Speaker/Chair

11:00-11:30

Coffee Break

11:30-12:00

Venue and date of the next General Conference

Nomination Officer

12:00- 12:30 General Discussion

Nomination Officer

12:30-13:00 Any other Items

Nomination Officer

13:00-14:00 Lunch

14:00-14:15 Concluding Remark Dr. Ahmed Al-Bakri

14:15 -14:30 Vote of Thanks Dr. Ibrahim Hamdan

14:30-15:30 The New Executive Committee Meeting XXX

Annex IV: AARINENA Progress Report (2008-2011) 30

6. ANNEX IV: AARINENA PROGRESS REPORT (2008-2011)

Association of Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East and North Africa

(AARINENA)

Prepared by Ahmed Al-Bakri

Ibrahim Hamdan

Submitted to AARINENA 12th General Conference

Kuwait City, Kuwait, 16-17 November 2011

November 2011


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents Page I. INTRODUCTION 32

II. AARINENA 11TH GENERAL CONFERENCE 32

III. AARINENA WORK PLAN 34

IV. MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS 34

4.1 AARINENA Executive Committee Meetings 4.1.1 Damascus-Syria Meeting, 14 October 2008 4.1.2 ICARDA-Aleppo Meeting, 3 May 2009 4.1.3 Alexandria-Egypt Meeting, 12 November 2009 4.1.4 ICARDA-Aleppo Meeting, 24 November 2010 4.1.5 Kuwait City-Kuwait Meeting, 12-13 September 2011

34 34 35 36 37

4.2 AARINENA Regional Agricultural Information System (RAIS)

4.2.1 Regional Training Workshop on Building National Capacities in Information, Cairo 4.2.2 Consultative Workshop on Knowledge Exchange Management System, Cairo 4.2.3 Releasing a New AARINENA Website 4.2.4 Expert Consultation Meeting on GIS Applications in WANA Region, Amman-Jordan 4.2.5 Coherence in Information for Agricultural Research for Development (CIARD) 4.2.6 Agricultural Science and Technology Indicators (ASTI) initiative in WANA

38 39 40 41 41 42 44

4.3 AARINENA and GCARD I 4.3.1 AARINENA-GCARD I Preparation Meeting, Amman, 27 August 2009 4.3.2 E-Consultation of WANA Region, 2-24 September 2009 4.3.3 Face-to-Face Workshop Regional Consultations, WANA Region, Egypt 4.3.4 AARINENA at GCARD 2010 4.3.5 Post GCARD I: AARINENA Retreat for the WANA Region, Aleppo, 22-24 November

2010

45 45 45 46 48 49

4.4 Networks 4.4.1 Date Palm Global Network (DPGN) 4.4.2 Inter-Regional Cotton Network in Asia and North Africa (INCANA) 4.4.3 Regional Olive Oil Network 4.4.4 Regional Medicinal & Aromatic Plants Network 4.4.5 Regional Water Use Efficiency Network 4.4.6 Regional Agricultural Biotechnology Network 4.4.7 Regional Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) Network

50 50 51 52 54 55 55 57

4.5 Strengthening Inter-regional Cooperation 4.5.1 Collaboration with CGIAR 4.5.2 Collaboration with UNFCCC 4.5.3 Collaboration with APAARI 4.5.4 Collaboration with FARA 4.5.5 Collaboration with EAR-ARD 4.5.6 Collaboration with GFAR

62 62 64 64 65 65 65

4.6 Meetings 67 4.7 Publications

4.7.1 Newsletter 4.7.2 Proceedings of Meetings

69 69 69

5. FUTURE ACTIVITIES 70

6. CONCLUSION 71 Annexes Annex.I: AARINENA Members by 2011 73 Annex.II: AARINENA RAIS-ICM Focal Units 74 Annex.III: AARINENA Networks 75


I. INTRODUCTION

Established in 1985, the Association of Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East and

North Africa (AARINENA) is an autonomous body and a platform for agricultural research and

innovation in the West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region, created in accordance with the

recommendations of the 14th and the 16th FAO Regional Ministerial Conferences. AARINENA's

main goal is to act as an instrument of change for strengthening national and regional

agricultural research capacities in order to reverse the downward trends in agricultural

productivity and the deterioration of the natural resources.

AARINENA’s Mission is to contribute to the enhancement of agricultural and rural development in member countries through fostering agricultural research and technology development and by strengthening collaboration among them and with the outside world. AARINENA endeavors to assist member countries in creating effective national agricultural research systems that serve the goals of sustainable agricultural development, as well as strengthening regional and sub-regional scientific collaboration. In accordance with its mission, the association has acted as a collaborator and partner with other relevant regional and international institutions and has been recognized by the Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR) and the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) as an important and formal regional association representing the WANA region in global research community.

AARINENA has been consistently striving to enhance its membership and to this effect has approached several institutions, centers, universities, and NARS to enroll as new AARINENA members. The total number of AARINENA members now stands at 43 (Country Institutions members 22, Organization and Cosponsors members 8, Farmers, NGOs and Private Sector 8, and Reciprocal members 5) as enclosed in Annex 1 of this report.

This report is intended to track AARINENA activities, tools and actions that were achieved during 2008-2011 to strengthen cooperation among members and stakeholders. It describes and ensures the timely and successful implementation of the activities that were planned to foster agricultural research and technology development among partners and members in the region. The report includes a substantial progress on the Regional Agricultural Information System (RAIS), Regional Networks, Partnerships and inter-regional collaboration. The report also includes the actions taken by AARINENA secretariat in response to the recommendations of the Executive Committee meetings, and efforts to enhance its membership, in addition to the recent publications, workshops, training courses and future plans.

II. AARINENA 11th General Conference

Under the auspices of His Excellency Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform of Syria, the 11th General Conference of AARINENA was held in Damascus, Syria during 12-14 October 2008. The Conference was cosponsored by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), and Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR), in collaboration with the General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Syria.

Over 60 participants representing international and regional organizations, regional forums, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)/NGOs, AARINENA member National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) attended the meeting. Dr. Ahmed Al-Bakri, President of AARINENA, along with representatives of FAO, ICARDA, GFAR, and GCSAR addressed the opening session.

The Conference deliberations were conducted in five sessions. The first session dealt with Global and Inter-Regional Collaboration. Seven speakers from GFAR, APAARI, FARA, Regional Forum of Agricultural Research in Latin America and Caribbean (FORAGRO), Agricultural Research for Development-Dimension of the European Research Area (ERA-ARD), French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA-France), and International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS) addressed important issues on global and regional partnerships and initiatives in ARD, priority setting, information management for R&D, and opportunities for cooperation.


The second session dealt with AARINENA Activities. The Executive Secretary of AARINENA (Dr. Ibrahim Hamdan) presented the progress made since the 10th General Conference held in Sana'a, Yemen, 2006. The report highlighted the achievements on the Regional Agricultural Information System (RAIS), Regional Networks, AARINENA activities on Priority Setting, Global Partnership Program (GPP) for Linking Farmers to Market, and Inter-regional Collaboration. After the presentation of AARINENA progress report, the Conference deliberated on RAIS. Three presentations were made and focused on agricultural information, namely: enhancing information and knowledge systems for agricultural research and innovation in the WANA region, AARINENA-RAIS progress report, and an overview on Near East Rural Agricultural and Knowledge Information Network (NERAKIN). The third session covered presentations by the coordinators of the network activities on cotton, olive, medicinal and aromatic plants, water use efficiency, and agricultural biotechnology networks. The major achievements and constrains of these networks were addressed. During this session the participants deliberated on: a proposal for the establishment of Regional Network for Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) in WANA. The conference adopted the establishment of PGRN in which ARC-Sudan will host the secretariat for the network, Egypt, Iran, and ICARDA will host the technical working groups of the network. Further, the conference discussed research priority setting. Key issues discussed during the session included: global priorities and needs, and revisiting Central and West Asia and North Africa (CWANA) research priorities and needs assessment. This was followed by a brief report on the Expert Consultation meeting dealt with developing a small ruminant research and development strategy for rural poverty reduction in non-tropical dry areas of NENA Region. The theme on linking farmers to market (LFM)-Global Partnership Program (GPP) outlined objectives of the GPP- LFM and how they should be achieved, and addressed three successful stories related to the LFM from Jordan, Egypt and Yemen. The Director General of ICARDA (Dr. Solh) presented to the meeting the change process proposed for the CGIAR. The meeting also discussed the International Assessment of Agricultural Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD) and the Sub-Global Assessment for CWANA. The fourth session dealt with AARINENA administrative issues, financial and membership status. Some amendments were introduced and incorporated in the AARINENA Constitution’s Articles VIII, IX and General Rules of Procedures. The GC decided that the Executive Committee should be consisted of 9 members, including the President, five sub regional representatives, and 3 representatives from CGIAR, GFAR, and CSOs. It was also approved to hold the General Conference every three years. A discussion was also made on the North Africa Sub-Region Organization (NASRO) Constitution. The participants discussed and approved the constitution for establishment of NASRO as fully fledged sub-region of FARA. The fifth session dealt with election of the members of the Executive Committee (2008-2011).

The final results of elections were as follows:

Dr. Ahmed Al-Bakri (Oman), President of AARINENA Dr. Ayman Abu-Hadeed (Egypt), Vice President and representative of Nile Valley and

Red Sea sub-region Dr. Mohamad Roozitalab (Iran), member representative of West Asia sub-region Dr. M. Walid Tawil (Syria), member representative of the Mashreq sub-region Dr. Yousif Al-Shayji (Kuwait), member representative of the Arabian Peninsula sub-

region Mr. Adnan Gibriel (Libya), member representative of Maghreb sub-region.


The participants agreed to hold the 12th General Conference of AARINENA in Kuwait in October 2011. III. AARINENA WORK PLAN The 11th GC of AARINENA adopted the following guidelines for its work plan of 2008-2011: AARINENA will continue strengthening RAIS through: Organizing regional training workshop for capacity building in

collaboration with FAO/RNE in December 2008. Enhancement of the new version of AARINENA website (English and Arabic)

using Content Management System (CMS). Preparation for GCARD I Supporting and strengthening existing regional network activities Strengthening Inter-regional Cooperation. Publication of newsletter, proceedings of meetings and success stories.

IV. MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS 4.1 AARINENA Executive Committee Meetings

Following the 11th GC of AARINENA, the Executive Committee held five meetings to discuss achievements, work plan and to make necessary arrangements for AARINENA activities. The following sub-sections summarize the agenda and the main outcomes from these meetings. 4.1.1 Damascus-Syria Meeting, 14 October 2008 The newly elected Executive Committee members held a brief meeting in Damascus, Syria on the 14th of October 2008 after the closure of the 11th general conference under the chairmanship of Dr. Ahmad Al-Bakri, President of AARINENA. The meeting adopted the work plan that included supporting RAIS, network activities and revisiting priority setting. The meeting renewed the appointment of Dr. Ibrahim Hamdan as Executive Secretary according to Article XI of the constitution. The conference recommended holding its next meeting at ICARDA in May 2009. 4.1.2 ICARDA-Aleppo Meeting, 3 May 2009 AARINENA Executive Committee held its second meeting on 3rd of May 2009 at ICARDA, Aleppo- Syria. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Ahmed Al-Bakri, President of AARINENA, and attended by Executive Committee Members and representatives of ICARDA, GFAR, BI, and APAARI. The agenda of the meeting was adopted as follows: a) International Conference on Food Security and Climate Change; b) Progress Report and Planned activities; c) NASRO Meeting; d) GCARD Preparation; and e) PGRN plan of work. The Director General of ICARDA, Dr. Mahmoud Solh, indicated that ICARDA, the National Center for Agricultural Research and Extension (NCARE) of Jordan, and other partners are planning to organize an International Conference on “Food Security and Climate Change in Dry Areas” to be held in Amman during 12-15 October 2009. The objective of the conference would be to exchange views and experiences with national, international experts and stakeholders on food security issues expected to be impacted by climate change in dry areas. Much discussion centered on the theme and objective of the proposed conference. AARINENA Executive Committee endorsed cosponsoring Amman conference along with other partners. The Executive Secretary presented the progress report on AARINENA activities since the last meeting in Damascus in October 2008. The report highlighted the achievements on strengthening of regional research networks, activities organized by AARINENA in collaboration with its partners, and activities on Global and Regional Collaboration. Highlights of Planned


activities for 2009 were also presented. The meeting encouraged GFAR to support interregional cooperation activities, and expressed its concern regarding the lack of support to INCANA. The Vice President of AARINENA, Dr. Ayman Abou-Hadid, briefed the meeting on NASRO held in Cairo on 19 April 2009, with the participation of North African countries along with FARA board. The NASRO meeting discussed and adopted the following:

Selection of ARC Libya as a venue for NASRO Secretariat Election of Dr. Ayman Abou-Hadid as the NASRO chairman, serving on FARA board and

on AARINENA executive committee as a sub-regional representative for North Africa. Election of Dr. Hamada Azhari, ARC Sudan as an interim Executive Secretary.

The GFAR Executive Secretary, Dr. Holderness underlined that the purpose of the Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development (GCARD) was to ensure agricultural research delivers development value. He explained that the GCARD Conference should have a very different “look and feel” from past events. He finally explained the steps for implementation and stated timeline and milestones. Plant Genetic Resources Network (PGRN) Coordinator, Dr. El-Tahir Ibrahim made a presentation entitled “Towards an effective PGRN in Near East and North Africa”. In order to reactivate the network, he proposed to organize a stakeholders’ workshop to review and finalize the proposal document for the establishment of the network and to identify areas for development and strategy to be implemented. Also, the workshop should consider the funding strategy of the network, and organizational matters and governance of the network. Representative of Biodiversity International (BI) indicated the BI support for the network and the future collaboration. The committee requested the PGRN Coordinator to prepare a proposal for organizing the stakeholders’ workshop and to send it to AARINENA secretariat and then forward it for support from BI, ICARDA, the Trust and GFAR. 4.1.3 Alexandria-Egypt Meeting, 12 November 2009

The third meeting was held in Alexandria, Egypt on 12th of November 2009. The meeting was attended by the Committee members and representatives of CGIAR and GFAR the Executive Committee. The meeting adopted the agenda as follows: a) AARINENA Delegation to GCARD 2010; b) Regional Networks; c) Proposed Conferences; and d) Membership Status. Dr. Al-Bakri, President of AARINENA, chaired the meeting and thanked the committee members for their active participation in the face-to-face meeting. The Committee discussed and recommended the followings:

A. With regards to AARINENA delegation to GCARD 2010, the Executive Secretary of GFAR, Dr. Mark Holderness indicated that GFAR would support 30-40 participants from each Regional Forums. He recommended that the participants should include spread of stakeholders including private sector, CSOs representatives, and public research institutions, in addition to active members from the face-to-face meeting participants. The Executive Secretary requested the assistance of the sub-regional representative in the selection process.

B. Dr. Mohammad Roozitalb addressed the regional networks and how to reactivate these networks. He offered his assistance to the secretariat to reactive these networks.

C. With regards to the proposed future conferences:

The conference on the food security and climate change, cosponsored by ICARDA and AARINENA, was postponed to February 2010 in Amman.

The committee discussed and recommended to hold the Second International Conference on Biotechnology Applications in Arid Zones the first half of November 2011 in Kuwait.


AARINENA would hold a parallel session during the FAO International Conference on Biotechnology from 2-5 March 2010 in Mexico along with other Regional Fora.

The committee nominated Mr. Mohamed El-Kholy, a farmer, and Dr. Jad Isaac, NGO representative to attend the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.

D. At the end of meeting, the Executive Secretary presented the membership status. 4.1.4 ICARDA-Aleppo Meeting, 24 November 2010

The fourth meeting was held on 24th of November 2010 at ICARDA, Aleppo-Syria, in conjunction with AARINENA Retreat for the WANA Region. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Ahmad Al-Bakri, President of AARINENA, and attended by the Committee members and representatives of GFAR, ICARDA and CIRAD. The agenda of the meeting was adopted as follows: a) CIRAD Proposal for Cooperation with AARINENA; b) GIS Application in WANA Region; c) Membership Status; d) Preparation for AARINENA 12th General Conference; e) AARINENA-EFARD Platform; f) Outcome of AARINENA Retreat; and g) Next Executive Committee meeting venue and date.

Dr. Al-Bakri welcomed the members and thanked them for their active participation in AARINENA retreat. The committee reviewed the last meeting minutes, held in Alexandria during November 2009, and approved it. The Committee discussed and recommended the followings:

With regards CIRAD Proposal for Cooperation with AARINENA, the committee discussed the CIRAD research priorities presented by Dr. Jacques Pages, Special Advisor to CIRAD CEO, and recommended that a specific joint proposal on one of the research priorities would be developed for action among CIRAD-ICARDA-AARINENA.

The committee discussed the request of AARINENA ICT-RAIS to consider the application of GIS in the WANA region. The meeting recommended to use a holistic approach for GIS in Agricultural planning and monitoring to logistics with an associated research support base provided by the NARES of the region, and to form a team of representative experts from AARINENA to visit ICARDA and discuss with experts of CRP1 for holding a workshop on GIS use in the region in 2011.

The Executive Secretary, Dr. Ibrahim Hamdan presented the status of financial and membership for the period January - October 2010. He mentioned that a new member from University of Jordan has joined AARINENA and hoped that the sub-regional representatives would invite other universities to join AARINENA.

Dr. Yousif Al-Shayji Representative of Arabian Peninsula Region briefed the meeting on the preparation for holding the 12th General Conference in Kuwait in November 2011. The committee agreed to discuss details for the 12th General Conference agenda during the next Executive Committee Meeting.

The Executive Secretary presented a proposed idea for establishing a platform between AARINENA and EFARD aiming at strengthening cooperation between Northern and Southern Mediterranean countries. The committee recommended holding more consultations and pre-feasibility of the proposal.

Mrs. Susana Smets, AARINENA retreat facilitator, presented a summary of AARINENA retreat outcomes. She indicated that the main achievement was a general framework with national and regional actions on how to increase investments, build capacities, establish better partnerships and restructure AR4D.

The next Executive Committee Meeting was decided to be held in conjunction of ICARDA presentation day on the 14th of May 2011, Aleppo-Syria.


4.1.5 Kuwait City- Kuwait Meeting, 12-13 September 2011

AARINENA Executive Committee held its fifth meeting after the 11th General Conference in Kuwait city- Kuwait during 12-13 September 2011. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Ahmed Al-Bakri, President of AARINENA, and attended by Executive Committee Members and representatives of ICARDA, GFAR, and WMO. The agenda of the meeting was adopted and included the following points:

A) AARINENA Work plan for 2011-2012 The Executive Secretary presented the work plan for 2011-2012. The plan followed the outputs of AARINENA retreat and GCARD road map that included activities under: 1) Advocacy, 2) Strengthening stakeholder capacities, 3) Inter-regional partnership, 4) Knowledge for all, 5) Preparation for 2nd GCARD and publications. Dr. Mahmoud Solh, Director General of ICARDA, recommended a link with ICARDA research activities and asked AARINENA to take advantage of a list of training courses offered by ICARDA. A recommendation on revitalizing the AARINENA’s Water Network was made in coordination with ICARDA water bench mark activities. Dr. Solh recommended that AARINENA should be a partner in the planned conference by ICARDA on policies for water and food security to improve livelihoods. Dr. Ajit Maru recommended linking the GIS proposal for water management to the water network activity.

B) Financial and membership status The Executive Secretary presented the financial and membership status since the last executive committee meeting in November 2010. The statement included the balance since the end of October 2010, funds received, expenditures and committed expenses for the activities conducted during this period. The membership fees status was also presented. The members recommended raising the annual membership fees to $5000. This proposal would be presented for adoption in the 12th AARINENA General Conference in Kuwait during 16-17 November 2011.

C) GFAR Road Map Dr. Ajit Maru from GFAR presented GCARD road map which was a plan for urgent, collective action on AR4D derived from the views and analysis expressed through the GCARD process. The plan included six points, major challenges and opportunities. He then discussed transforming AR4D systems and executing the GCARD plan and summarized AARINENA regional retreat as a post GCARD follow up to develop an action framework related to investment in AR4D. Dr. Roozitalab suggested that AARINENA, ICARDA and GFAR to advocate for policy makers to increase investment in agricultural research in NENA Region.

D) AARINENA 12th General Conference Program A draft for the 12th General Conference program was presented. Then, Dr. Al-Bakri suggested that the program should be extended for more than one day to allow enough time for discussion and for the election and the meeting for the new elected Executive Committee. The Committee agreed on this suggestion and requested that the climate change conference should be concluded on mid of 16 November 2011. Then, AARINENA’s General Conference would start on the 16th and would continue to the 17th of November.

E) Proposal for rotation of AARINENA’s President and Vice President Dr. Al-Bakri proposed a rotation for the position of the President and Vice President to allow the opportunity for other sub-regions for these positions and limit the duration of these positions for one 3-year term only. The Committee recommended the following proposal: the President and Vice President should be elected for the next term from two different sub-regions for one term only. This proposal would require an amendment to AARINENA Constitution Articles VIII and Article IX.


F) Search Committee for the recruitment of New Executive Secretary for 2012-2016 The Executive Committee elected a search committee of three members for the recruitment of new Executive Secretary for the term starting November 1, 2012 to October 30, 2016. The Committee members included: Dr. Yousif Al-Shayji, Dr. Ibrahim Hamdan and Dr. Mohammad Roozitalab who was requested to prepare the terms of reference for the vacancy announcement.

G) Program for the International Conference on Adaptation of Climate Change Dr. Sivakumar from WMO presented the Draft Program for the International Conference on Adaptation of Climate Change and Food security in the WANA region .In his presentation; he explained the objectives of the conference and WMO role in organizing similar meetings in other regions.

H) Visit to KISR facilities At the end of the meeting Dr. Al-Bakri thanked the members for their active participation and efforts to ensure the success of both conferences. He also thanked Dr. Al-Shayji for the excellent logistic arrangement for this meeting. The Committee members visited KISR and get acquainted on KISR strategy plan for the next 20 years. The Committee members then toured KISR research faculties and the venue for convening the 12th General Conference.

4.2 AARINENA Regional Agricultural Information System (RAIS)

AARINENA, in co-operation with the GFAR, established and developed a Regional Agricultural Information System (RAIS) to increase the effectiveness of the agricultural research in the region, and to increase their abilities to reach the end-user. The RAIS would serve as an information repository and exchange mechanism at the regional level, aiming to strengthen, coordinate, and add value to initiatives by national programmes and those coordinated by regional and international organizations. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) had become an essential component for development, not only of the agricultural sector, but also of industrial, environmental, and service sectors as well. Addressing the development of the agricultural sector through the enhancement of information and communication technology was put as an urgent priority for AARINENA. The formation of the ICT Steering Committee, which proved to be fruitful, launching a set of databases, and addressing the training needs were good examples of the continuous efforts of AARINENA to improve the abilities and enhance the capabilities of its member countries, to achieve sustainable agricultural development. There was no doubt that information system development required intensive and integrated efforts by all countries to achieve the goals and objectives set by the steering committee. The fact that could not be denied was that the development of the ICT sector must be backed-up and supported by political commitment of all members. ICT Steering Committee AARINENA-RAIS Steering Committee was established upon the recommendation of the participants of AARINENA Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Expert Consultation, held in February 2003 in Cairo, Egypt. Representatives of the five sub-regions and representatives of AOAD, FAO, GFAR, and ICARDA were the steering committee members. The RAIS Secretariat had been hosted by the Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO) - Iran.

West Asia and North Africa Agricultural Researchers Information System (WANARIS) The WANA Agricultural Researchers Information System had been developed first as the Database of Western Asia Agricultural Researchers. Then as it was a very useful tool to exchange information between researchers in the Sub-region, AARINENA decided to develop it


for the whole Region. By this database, agricultural researchers could lead and manage common projects with each other. Information platforms

Developing the National Agricultural Research Information Management System (NARIMS)

NARIMS is another important Project in the Region, which was developed by Central Laboratory for Agricultural Expert Systems (CLAES) in Egypt. The objective of the project was to strengthen the capacity of the Agricultural Research Center (ARC) to develop, manage and apply a relevant and effective national agricultural information management system in support of agricultural development and food security policies. It enabled researchers and scientists to carry out research more effectively by creating access to research and intuitional information from the region and as well as by providing modern tools for the managing researchers information, agricultural research project, plans, and other activities. NARIMS has four modules; namely:

1. Agricultural Research Personnel 2. Agricultural Research Institutes 3. Agricultural Research Projects 4. Agricultural Research Results and Publication

Near East and North Africa Rural and Agricultural Knowledge and Information

Network (NERAKIN) The "Near East and North Africa Rural and Agricultural Knowledge and Information Network (NERAKIN)" is a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration for Agricultural Research and Development (ARD) for target groups and stakeholders on a regional level in NENA. The immediate objective of the Network is to strengthen the capacity of the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Research Institutions for effective information management and knowledge exchange in support of rural and agricultural development in the region. The ultimate development objective of NERAKIN is to enhance information and knowledge access and exchange within the region for ARD in Near East and North Africa, and at the global level. This network would provide mechanisms to strengthen, coordinate, and add value to national, regional and international initiatives in order to increase agricultural production and improve food security in Near East countries, and for the benefit of improving performance of farmers and agrarian businesses. Annex.2 shows AARINENA Regional Agricultural Information Systems – Information and Communication Systems (RAIS-ICM) Focal Units. 4.2.1 Regional Training Workshop on Building National Capacities in Information and

Knowledge

AARINENA, in collaboration with FAO, ICARDA and GFAR, organized the Regional Training Workshop on Building National Capacities in Information and Knowledge in support of Agricultural Research for Development in Near East Region during 17-20 May 2009 in Cairo, Egypt. Twelve participants, representing National Information Focal Units (NIFUs) in Near East and North Africa region (Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen) along with AARINENA, FAO, GFAR, and ICARDA representatives, attended the meeting. The workshop aimed to continue to build the capacity of participants in the awareness of strategic aspects of information and knowledge in the context of development of their: a) National Agricultural Information Systems (NAIS); b) the Regional Agricultural Information System (RAIS), c) the global CIARD Initiative; and d) the awareness toward the potential for improving linkages and sharing information and knowledge between researchers and other stakeholders using ICM tools.


The participants werevcategorized into three groups and briefed on key aspects of the Coherence in Information for Agricultural Research for Development (CIARD) Initiative in relation to NAIS model. Moreover, the NIFUs analyzed CIARD Checklist, and discussed practical pathways to coherent agricultural information systems. Mr. Magdy, FAO Regional Information and Communication Officer, informed the participants that NERAKIN is a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration for development. Dr. Mohammad Sallam, Current Chairman of the ICT-RAIS Steering Committee reviewed the Report of ICT Nodal Units Workshop, held in Oman, 2008. The NIFUs highlighted the status and briefed the progress of development of NAIS – incorporating follow up actions from 2008 workshop in Oman. An overview of NAIS users' management system and workflow management system was presented: hands-on training on NAIS, documents/publications Workflow Management System, Arabic AGRIS Application Profile (AP), NERAKIN installation and maintenance were delivered. A new Information and Communication Technology Steering Committee (AARINENA-RAIS) was selected as follows:

- Tunisia, Head of SC and representative of Maghreb region - Jordan, representative of Mashreq region - Yemen, representative of Nile Valley and Red Sea region - Oman, representative of Arabian Peninsula region - Iran, representative of Western Asia region

4.2.2 Consultative Workshop on Knowledge Exchange Management System for

Strengthening Rural Community Development, Cairo-Egypt

AARINENA, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and Central Laboratory for Agricultural Expert Systems (CLAES) of ARC- Egypt, cosponsored and organized the consultative workshop on "Knowledge Exchange Management System for Strengthening Rural Community Development and Poverty Reduction” – [Regional VERCON Thematic Knowledge Network], which was held in Cairo, Egypt from 27 – 30 December 2010, and attended by 27 participants from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen. At the opening session, statements by AARINENA, Central Laboratory for Agricultural Expert Systems (CLAES) of ARC - Egypt, and FAO stressed the need to enhance extension information and knowledge access and exchange within the Near East and North Africa, region. Dr. Ibrahim Hamdan emphasized the importance of linking agricultural research to extension, focusing on strengthening dissemination, knowledge management and scaling-up for more effective AR4D. The workshop offered an opportunity to get acquainted on the conceptual design and structure of rural information and knowledge network and the Near East VERCON Network; RADCON components, information flow and management; lessons learned and good practices on VERCON/RADCON communication approaches. The participants addressed, in country profiles presentations, the current status of agricultural research, extension and information services in their respective countries. Hands-on training was held on how to use and operate the Near East VERCON information and knowledge network components focusing on the following themes: a) Institutes, system management, experts, and projects; b) Research publications; c) News, events, country profile, good practices and success stories; d) Extension bulletin management system; and e) Rural women knowledge base. The working group sessions was dedicated to knowledge needs and components, and proper mechanisms to manage the structure and functions of the national and regional network. At the plenary session, the participants discussed tasks to be shared for collaboration and content development required for developing the joint sub-regional network.


4.2.3 Releasing a New AARINENA Website

The RAIS Secretariat, hosted by Iranian Agricultural Research and Education Organization, collected information, through National Information Nodal Points (NINPs) from sub-regional countries, and developed such information on all activities to the AARINENA website. The AARINENA Website (http://www.aarinena.org) was launched to serve as a gateway to many information resources related to agricultural research and innovation for development. Also, the website aimed to keep all interested scientists, researchers, and other readers informed about agricultural research and development. Access to web spaces of AARINENA partners from organizations with which AARINENA has strong institutional linkages, formal partnerships, shared activities, agreements of any kind or significant exchange of information, is also possible through this website. The new AARINENA website was released in 2009, with the high content management capacity. The website featured the new look of AARINENA while building on its role as a regional platform for all those involved in ARD, knowledge, mutual learning and innovation. As a member of AARINENA, one can add any updated information to the databases directly through the "Member Area" section. For this action, registration is needed for getting a username and password. Then login and use of the facilities are possible. The member can add data to:

AARINENA Archive The agricultural researchers database The regional agricultural organizations (Institutes, Universities, NGOs, useful links,

etc...). 4.2.4 Expert Consultation Meeting on GIS Applications in Agricultural Development in

WANA Region

AARINENA, with the support of GFAR, had organized an Expert Consultation meeting on GIS Applications in Agricultural Development in WANA Region. The meeting was held in Amman, Jordan during the period 7-8 June 2011. The Expert Consultation reviewed presentations from ICARDA and the sub-regions of Arabian Peninsula (Oman), Maghreb (Tunisia), Nile–Valley and Red Sea (Egypt), Mashreq (Jordan). A presentation on Integrated GIS systems was presented by PROGIS, a private sector participant. The consultation concluded that in spite of having huge potential to support agricultural development and in managing natural resources and the environment sustainability, the use of GIS as a research and development tool for agriculture and environment was below its potential for agricultural development in the region. While there was substantial capacity in the region, it was disbursed without effective direction to make an impact. The participants concluded that GIS application in the region needed to take into account contributing to established agricultural development and associated research priorities of the region. Furthermore, a holistic, integrated approach was required at the sub-regional and regional level to make effective use of spatial information in agriculture and environment in the region. Three components that needed high attention were identified during the meeting. These were: the use of high resolution, common maps; sharing and exchange of data and information for spatial application among littoral states and their development and research institutes; and development of appropriate models to make effective use of spatial data for development and research. Although the technological issues related to the effective use of spatial data for agricultural development and research were solvable, the participants stressed the need for support for both managing organizational issues (policy, strategy and structures) and support from agricultural communities through use of new ICTs, and participatory approaches in managing and effectively using data.

http://www.aarinena.org/


The meeting deliberated and agreed to develop a Concept Paper on using Spatial Information System for integrated agricultural and water resources management to effectively benefit small holder farmers of the region by AARINENA and ICARDA in collaboration with GFAR and PROGIS. The participants recommended that AARINENA and its partners:

Advocate and explain the potential of using GIS for agricultural development and environment in the region.

Advocate and promote increased, improved and targeted investment in the development of “spatial data infrastructure” for research in GIS applications.

Advocate the need for new capacities, especially human capacities and skills in the area of GIS.

Develop greater regional and sub-regional collaboration in this area of ICT application Linking GIS educational institutions to Agricultural institutions should be advocated,

promoted and supported. AARINENA should take lead in development of institutional structures for data management

for agricultural use and research in the region. 4.2.5 Coherence in Information for Agricultural Research for Development (CIARD)

The Coherence in Information for Agricultural Research for Development (CIARD) Initiative

AARINENA is a member of the Coherence in Information for Agricultural Research for Development (CIARD) initiative which is working to make agricultural research information publicly available and accessible to all. CIARD was launched on 29th of August 2009, at the World Conference on Agricultural Information and IT in Tokyo. The International Expert Consultation: Building the CIARD Framework for Data

and Information Sharing Mr. Otman Sebbata, INRA- Morocco and Dr. Mohamed Sallam, Director of Extension Projects and Programmes, Agricultural Research and Extension Authority (AREA)-Yemen represented AARINENA in the International Expert Consultation: Building the CIARD Framework for Data and Information Sharing held in Beijing- China during 20-23 June 2011. Training of Trainers Workshop on Coherence in Information for Agricultural

Research for Development (CIARD)

AARINENA, with support from FAO and GFAR, organized the Training of Trainers Workshop on Coherence in Information for Agricultural Research for Development (CIARD) which was held during the period 4-6 October 2011 in Amman-Jordan. More than 20 participants from national organizations representing AARINENA sub-regions in 13 countries (Algeria, Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman Palestinian Authority, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, and Yemen), AARINENA officers, and representatives from FAO, GFAR and CGIAR attended the workshop. As part of Bridging Knowledge Gap activities towards the transformation of Agricultural Research for Development (AR4D) systems, as described in the GCARD Roadmap, AARINENA organized the CIARD sub-regional workshop with the objective to improve partnerships among the National Information Nodal Points (NINPs) so as to strengthen capacities and skills of personnel to promote greater sharing of knowledge for out-scaling of innovations. The training workshop aimed to strengthen capacities and skills of participants to improve sharing of information and knowledge through AARINENA-RAIS activities and to equip those who had been involved or likely to be involved in the CIARD to not only use CIARD concepts effectively but also to advocate and build improved skills to participate better in CIARD and enable users to make more effective use of information including that accessed through the CIARD Route map to Information Nodes and Gateways-CIARD.RING. It also intended to train the trainers who in turn would train users in their organizations and countries to enable them in improving skills to participate better in the CIARD activities.


At the Opening Session, Dr. Ibrahim Hamdan, AARINENA Executive Secretary, emphasized the vital role that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can play in the development of agriculture in the countries of the WANA region. He highlighted the valuable role of GFAR, FAO, ICARDA, BI and IFPRI in supporting NARS in WANA region through capacity building through training programs, organizing technical and scientific workshops and conferences, and establishing regional information and communication system. Dr. Ajit Maru, Senior Knowledge Officer at GFAR, and Dr. Stephen Rudgard, Chief of Knowledge and Capacity for Development at FAO, gave brief speeches related to CIARD initiative in which they emphasized the importance of knowledge sharing mechanisms in agricultural innovation. The guest lecture, Dr. Anton Mangstl, the Vice President of German Jordanian University and the ex- Director of the Office of Knowledge Exchange, Research and Extension, emphasized that FAO was always facilitating and supporting Information. The First Session dealt with Regional ICM Status and how to strengthen RAIS and NAIS. Mrs. Taraneh Ebrahimi, AARINENA-RAIS Secretary and Web Manager, presented the recent activities done in the region related to the sharing and exchanging information and knowledge. She explained the details related to the questionnaires which was a framework for Assessing ICT/ICM of NAIS/NARS. Dr. Magdi Latif, Knowledge and Information Management Officer at FAO, presented the outputs of the NERAKIN in the WANA region. He mentioned that NERAKIN (http://www.nerakin.net) was an initiative to enhance rural and agricultural development in Near East and North Africa through strengthening information and knowledge access and exchange, providing mechanisms to strengthen, coordinate, and add value to national and regional agricultural initiatives; and improve performance of farmers and agrarian businesses. The Working Sessions addressed National and Regional ICM Status, particularly the role and mission of NINPS/ NARS in the RAIS progress and how they can contribute to AARINENA-RAIS. The participants were divided into four groups to discuss their national ICM status and clarify the most important opportunities and challenges they were facing at national and regional level. The most important challenges mentioned by working groups were: lack of institutional information strategies and policies; lack of national networks and networking; marketing and online marketing. Moreover, the groups highlighted that the most important opportunities at the national levels as good IT infrastructure and strong human resources. The participants discussed the theme on accessibility of Information- CIARD Concepts Revisited. Dr. Ajit Maru focused on CIARD initiative and its concept and framework. He underlined that the most important challenges to agricultural development, such as climate change and loss of agro-biodiversity, could not be tackled without improved and enhanced sharing of data, information and knowledge globally. He clarified that a framework for sharing of agriculture-related data and information would have three dimensions around: Technical aspects and technologies, Institutional and organizational aspects, and Participation of the community of actors and users of the data and information shared. Advocacy and advocacy toolkit were other important issues which were discussed by the participants. Mrs. Nadia Manning Thomas, CGIAR, conducted the session and the working groups. She highlighted that one of the important CIARD Values was to advocate effective investments. Then, the working groups focused on the challenges and opportunities that were identified and discussed, as well as they were asked to clarify how they moved forward to overcome challenges and to take advantage of opportunities. Mrs. Nadia mentioned that CIARD was important to access to some materials, resources and tools for advocacy and provide links to materials, resources and tools to use; and to provide guidance and ideas. Dr. Rudgard clarified that the CIARD partners had developed a ‘Manifesto’ of the changes and checklist of actions they wanted to achieve by building on existing initiatives. Subscribing to international standards, adopting policies on intellectual property, setting up archives, and raising awareness of accessibility options were examples of actions that CIARD

http://www.nerakin.net/


was encouraging. Social Media and its role in sharing and exchanging information and knowledge, was another important issue provided by Mrs. Nadia Manning. She mentioned that communication of research findings in peer-reviewed journals was the standard by which scientists and their findings were evaluated by the scientific community. Social media was an online content created by people using highly accessible and scalable publishing technologies. It was a shift in how people discovered, read and shared news, information and content; The final session of the workshop was related to the CIARD Virtual fair and CIARD RING which was presented by Dr. Ajit Maru. The speaker highlighted that the CIARD Virtual Fair (http://www.ciard.net/ciard-virtual-fair) was a facility where people and organizations could share and learn about ways to make their information and knowledge open and accessible. The CIARD RING was a global registry of web-based services that would give access to any kind of information sources pertaining to ARD. The RING was the principal tool created through the CIARD initiative to allow information providers to register their services in various categories and so to facilitate the discovery of sources of agriculture-related information across the world. The participants discussed and agreed on the following points:

The most important challenges encounter at national and regional level is: lack of institutional information strategies and policies; lack of national networks and networking; marketing and online marketing. The most important opportunities at the national levels are good IT infrastructure and strong human resources.

Activate the use of the new ICM tools- NINPs at national and regional levels to exchange information and knowledge within the region.

Fulfil the national ICM questionnaires and provide it with country reports to the AARINENA-RAIS secretariat to prepare the Regional ICM Status report.

Accept and confirm CIARD initiative as a successful and valuable effort which can support ICM activities at national levels.

Benefit from Social Media tools as well as CIARD RING to share effectively information related to agricultural research and innovation for development (ARD).

FAO, GFAR and CGIAR representatives emphasized the content issue and its important role in information and knowledge sharing as an essential base. It is needed to advocate the benefits of the digital accessibility of content.

Advocate for the development ICM at national and regional levels, and work together to change the attitudes of key decision makers by developing clear messages supported by evidence of benefits that will influence policies and lead to the reform of institutions through a campaign of presentations and other communication targeting the key stakeholders to make advantages to the institution and to the individual clear.

An Advocacy Toolkit (comprising Checklists and Pathways) was developed in consultation with stakeholders to guide institutions to plan their CIARD-related activities and to monitor their progress in achieving the CIARD Values.

Development of NERAKIN and its important role in the region and use it as a national information and knowledge system.

4.2.6 Agricultural Science and Technology Indicators (ASTI) initiative in WANA During 2003–2005, AARINENA, and the Agricultural Science and Technology Indicators (ASTI) team of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) worked closely with the principal agricultural R&D agencies of 5 Near East and North Africa (NENA) countries (Egypt, Morocco, Iran, Jordan and Syria) to collect, analyze, synthesize, and disseminate data on institutional and financial trends in agricultural research. This was done through detailed surveys and face-to-face interviews with the principal public and private agricultural R&D agencies in each country. These datasets formed the basis of an ASTI/AARINENA report on trends in agricultural R&D in Near

http://www.ciard.net/ciard-virtual-fair


East and North Africa that has been widely distributed throughout the continent, and used by many other national, regional, and international and agencies. Given the important challenges, such as rapid population growth, adaptation to climate change, and the volatility of prices in global markets, policymakers are increasingly recognizing the value of greater investment in agricultural R&D as an essential element in increasing agricultural productivity in NENA Region. Updating capacity and investment indicators on agricultural R&D in the sub region beyond 2003 is therefore important. It will allow the performance, inputs, and outcomes of agricultural R&D systems to be measured, monitored, and benchmarked, which in turn will ultimately enhance the decision making power of policymakers.

In close collaboration with AARINENA, the ASTI team launched a new survey in NENA to update and improve the data collected during the previous survey round. The entire survey, analysis and report preparation were scheduled to be completed by the end of December 2011. However, data collected on investment, capacity, and institutional trends for the period 2007-2010 on the agricultural research systems were used to update the existing ASTI datasets, and ensure the accessibility and the utilization of the data through in-depth policy analyses, issuance of reports, workshops, and other forms of dissemination and Capacity Indicators. 4.3 AARINENA and GCARD I 4.3.1 AARINENA-GCARD Preparation Meeting, Amman-Jordan, 27 August 2009

The task force on priority setting along with representatives from AARINENA, ICARDA, and GFAR met in Amman on 27th of August 2009 at ICARDA-West Asia Regional office under the chairmanship of Dr. Kamel Shideed form ICARDA. AARINENA Executive Secretary briefed that the regional review aiming at producing a high-level regional development targets and refreshed, high-level set of regional agricultural research priorities, identification of areas of specific need in agricultural research for the poorest in AARINENA countries, and developing an action plan for implementing the identified regional priorities.

Dr. Ajit Maru from GFAR gave a summary of the progress of GCARD logistics and content. The Lead Consultant, Dr. Samir El- Habbab, presented the draft of the regional review of WANA. The regional review process included: reviewing previous studies on priority settings, key researchable issues identified from sub-regions, templates prepared to collect and analyze information from different research institutions in the region, the total research titles (1411), the research topics and key researchable issues identified for discussion in the E-Consultation.

The participants deliberated and adopted to re-structure the review to include: overview of the existing priorities, developmental goals and challenges in the region, researchable themes with priorities, mechanisms and partnerships, changes needed in agricultural research system and extension, and constraints that prevent impacts to farmers. In addition, they conducted a comparative analysis between the priorities identified in 2002 and the ongoing research up to 2009. 4.3.2 E-Consultation of WANA Region, 2-24 September 2009

The e-consultation was the second action in a series of regional consultations preceded the GCARD 2010. The consultation referred to the issues raised by a commissioned regional review that has been done to provide a synthesis of existing national and regional studies, policies and reports on how agricultural research priorities currently match to development aims and needs. The e-consultation aimed to provide an opportunity for all stakeholders to share experiences in the region and to learn from others "who are involved in agricultural research for development?"


A total of 200 scientists from WANA region countries participated in the e-consultation, held during 2-24 September 2009. The participants were representing major agricultural research and development disciplines including livestock; plant protection; field crops; agronomy; vegetable and ornamental plants; microbiology; agricultural economics and extension; soil, irrigation, water management and environment; land use management; geo-informatics; computer science; information and communication technologies. In the first week, the participants introduced themselves and shared their experiences and views. In the second week, they reflected on the issues raised in the preceding week and put their experiences in perspective of the regional review findings. Conclusions towards the face-to-face meetings were drawn in the third week of e-consultation. The participants of e-consultation suggested and discussed valuable ideas, experiences, information and innovations which would be of help and would have greater impact on major development needs of the region. Key areas deeply discussed in the e-consultation included: Food security and water scarcity; Linkage between research, extension and farmers; Policies and strategies; Innovation; Importance of regional cooperation, networking and knowledge sharing; Livestock and trans-boundary animal and plant issues; Salinization; Climatic change; Standard of living of farmers; Plant genetic resources; Land degradation and combating desertification. 4.3.3 Face-to-Face Workshop Regional Consultations, WANA Region, 10-12 November

2009, Alexandria, Egypt

The Face-to-Face WANA regional workshop was the third step of the GCARD initiative in the WANA region, following the regional review (completed in August 2009) and the e-consultations (completed in September 2009). The meeting was held during 10-12 November 2009 at Bibliotheca Alexandria in Egypt. The aim of workshop was to prioritize agricultural researchable issues to achieve development impact at scale, and to improve research processes and mechanisms that would ensure greater development impact and poverty reduction. The workshop was attended by 56 participants, representing 18 countries in WANA region, including participants from National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS), NGOs, farmer organizations, and private sector, regional and international organizations. Dr. Ahmed Al-Bakri, President of AARINENA, and Dr. Adel El-Beltagy, Chair of GFAR delivered the welcome addresses. A key-note speech was presented by Dr. Ismail Serageldin, Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandria. His presentation focused on the impacts of climate change, the importance of water resources, and the crucial role and reforms required in agriculture and agricultural research systems to respond to current and future crisis. Dr. Mark Holderness, Executive Secretary of GFAR, described the global GCARD process and steps towards Montpellier 2010. AARINENA Executive Secretary, Dr. Ibrahim Hamdan, set out the regional process, and briefed the meeting on the regional review and e-consultations in the WANA region. He stressed that the objectives of GCARD were extremely relevant for the WANA region, since many vital food crops such as barley and lentils originated from this region. He explained the role of the WANA regional Task Force to guide and support the organization of the regional consultations and the follow-up process towards GCARD 2010. Dr. Hamdan also introduced the objectives of the Face-to-Face meeting and the follow-up actions to be supported by AARINENA including publication and presentation of final WANA review key-researchable issues to GCARD Task Force; second round of e-consultations on a global level to discuss global issues for AR4D; and presentation of WANA priorities and recommendations at GCARD in March 2010. The AARINENA Consultants, Dr. Samir El- Habbab and Dr. Mohammed Majdalawi, presented the detailed findings of the regional review and summarized the results of the regional e-consultations. These presentations were important to establish a common understanding and starting point for the group work in the workshop.


The subsequent plenary discussion was aimed at challenging and clarifying some of the findings of the WANA regional review and the global process towards GCARD. The discussion gave a good sense of participants’ expectations of the Face-to-Face meeting. Critical contributions from farmer organizations provided the audience with the necessary reality check and focus on demand-driven research, leading to tangible impacts. The Face-to-Face meeting was also an excellent opportunity to seek feedback from the audience on the ongoing strategizing exercise of the CGIAR. Director General of World Fish Center, Dr. Stephan Hall, highlighted the Strategic Results Framework and Mega Programs proposed by CGIAR. A table-discussions in small groups, answered the following questions: i) whether the proposed MPs are in line with regional needs; ii) what concerns exists regarding the effectiveness and implementation of MPs; iii) what advice the audience would like to provide to the CGIAR’s Strategy team. The participants agreed that the proposed Mega Programs (MPs) covered all priority needs in the WANA region. It was perceived that the MP on climate change and agriculture had a much higher relevance for WANA region due to its high vulnerability to climate change. Mrs. Susanna Smets facilitated the Face-to-Face workshop. Two sessions devoted to working groups; one session with four thematic working groups, and one session with four cross-cutting working groups. The working groups reviewed and modified the list of key-researchable issues, resulting from the regional review and e-consultations, prioritized the issues based on their potential to achieve development impact at scale, and identified constraints in current research systems, and solutions to overcome such constraints. A “voting” exercise was carried out for all thematic and cross-cutting key-researchable issues. Figure (1) illustrates the results of working groups. The total votes for thematic researchable issues were 502 and were divided as following: Food security and productivity had 150 votes, representing 30%; Natural resources management had 143 votes, representing 28%; Livestock, rangeland and fisheries had 105 votes, representing 21%; and Markets and value chain development had 104 votes, representing 21%. Results for the cross-cutting key-researchable issues were (out of 467 cross-cutting votes): Research management and capacity development 135 votes, representing 29%; Climate change 134 votes, representing 29%; Poverty and socio-economic policy 109 votes, representing 23%; and Dissemination, knowledge management and scaling-up 89 votes, representing 19%.

30%

28%

21%

21%

FOOD SECURITY AND PRODUCTIVITY

NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

LIVESTOCK, RANGELAND AND FISHERIES

MARKETS AND VALUE CHAIN

29%

29%

23%

19%

Research management & capacity

Climate change

Poverty and socio-economic policy

Dissemination and scaling up

Figure 1: Results of voting for thematic (Left) and cross-cutting (Right) researchable issues.


Key existing constraints in the research systems were: Mistrust between farmers and extension agents and researchers; Different “languages” and worldviews of stakeholders; Poor communication; Institutional weaknesses of many organizations; Weak coordination capacity; Limited funding and human resources; and Lack of infrastructure and logistical capacity on national level. The meeting concluded by short round-table discussion and forwarded the following key messages to GCARD 2010 in Montpellier: Give WANA region due importance and adequate funding for R&D Emphasize on the resource poor people in both urban and rural communities, as well as

poor and small farmers More cooperation is required between developing countries and WANA region for capacity

development in research and extension Scaling up funding for applied research Support and strengthen AARINENA and intensify links with GFAR process Integrate agriculture and poverty in national development strategies and policies Impacts of climate change on water and food security are crucial for WANA region

4.3.4 AARINENA at GCARD I

An influential panel of global leaders from local and international institutions opened the first-ever Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development (GCARD): Enhancing Development Impact from Research in Montpellier, France during 28-31 March 2010. The conference highlighted the need for increased collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation in order to meet grand challenges that we all face in feeding the world. In the session "building from regional expressions of demand", representatives of APAARI, CACAARI, AARINENA, FORAGRO, USAID, NAFARD, FARA, and EFRAD addressed region-by-region presentations focusing on highlights emerging from the recent consultations and the issues they have raised. They identified key priorities for small holders in regional agricultural development and areas where knowledge could make the most difference or where new knowledge is most required. WANA delegation to GCARD 2010 included over 50 participants from NARS leaders, representatives of NGOs, farmers and private sector. AARINENA presented a synthesis report on the GCARD Process in WANA Region. The President of AARINENA, Dr. Ahmed Al-Bakri gave the presentation for WANA region. He introduced AARINENA’s mission, objectives and its role as a multi-stakeholder platform for dialogue on ARD to promote collaboration, learning and partnerships. Also, he mentioned that AARINENA represented all stakeholders in the region: NGOs, farmers, private sector, NARS, ARI, IARCS, and donors. He briefly introduced the region and its features. He emphasized to think beyond the oil-rich Gulf States and to recognize the increasing levels of poverty in this region. In terms of the desired partnerships, the region recommended to revitalize regional networks and to reconnect to global ARD community, to work more with grass-root organizations, to work with policy makers and national champions for scaling-up and adoption, to work more with women and through their networks. Also, it was suggested to engage policy makers, going beyond Ministries of Agriculture, and to collaborate with the private sector and ICT sector. Dr. Al-Bakri concluded with brief key-messages from the region on priorities and focus, finance for ARD, capacity building, collaboration and partnerships, policy and scaling up. The Mediterranean Exhibition opened as part of GCARD to illustrate the vital importance of the region as a bridge between Africa and Europe and a crucible of biodiversity, the fact which would require a high level of international scientific cooperation in order to preserve and sustain this heritage for future generations. GFAR, AARINENA, ICARDA, CIHEAM, European Commission representative, French Ministry of Research, and the Agropolis International team cosponsored the official opening of Mediterranean Exhibition related to food, agricultural and environmental development in the Mediterranean area. The exhibition aimed at demonstrating


how the research community addresses these challenges through collaborative research programs/projects, designed and implemented in partnership with other stakeholders. The exhibition produced by research and training organizations in the Mediterranean, CGIAR, and intergovernmental organizations. It illustrated the way in which cooperation among stakeholders on research could be leveraged to address the main challenges – economic, environmental and demographic – facing the region. The Exhibition exposed ongoing and recently achieved projects organized along with an attractive illustration of what were the challenges. Animations, Mediterranean food, handicrafts and traditional arts were presented and gave a flavor of the Mediterranean cultures. AARINENA presented posters related to: Soil and water management; Olive good agriculture practices guidelines manual; and livestock. 4.3.5 Post GDARD I: AARINENA Retreat for the WANA Region AARINENA Retreat for the West Asia and North Africa (WANA) Region was hosted by ICARDA at its Headquarters in Aleppo-Syria from 22 to 24 November 2010 and was cosponsored by AARINENA and the Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR). The retreat was attended by more than 38 participants coming from 16 countries, representing NARES, NGOs, farmer organizations and the private sector, regional and international organizations. The objective of the retreat was to consider post-GCARD1 actions for the WANA region and fleshing out an action framework at national, regional and global level. Statements of Opening Ceremony delivered by Dr. Ahmad Al-Bakri, President of AARINENA, Dr. Mark Holderness, Executive Secretary of GFAR, and Dr. Mahmoud Solh, Director General of ICARDA. Dr. Al-Bakri welcomed the participants and emphasized the important role of AARINENA in the WANA region as a facilitator of dialogue and catalyst for change. He mentioned the necessity to take stock after the first Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development (GCARD1) and to develop follow-up actions at national, regional and global levels. Dr. Mark Holderness, Executive Secretary of GFAR, gave a presentation on the outcomes of GCARD and the implications for AARINENA’s region. The presentation updated participants on the GCARD process, GCARD Synthesis Report and the latest developments of the Road Map. He stressed the need for collective action, overcoming fragmentation through partnerships, working backwards from the needs of farmers in an integrated way, and enabling policies for promoting development and innovations. Dr. Mahmoud Solh, Director General of ICARDA presented the New CGIAR System focusing on achievements of ICARDA, the CGIAR reform process, as well as the current status of the CGIAR Research Programs (CRPs) and the implications for the NARES in the WANA-region. He presented highlights of wide-scale development impacts globally, which were achieved through the research carried out by the CGIAR, and briefed on the Strategic Results Framework. Refreshed by this background information, participants were asked by the facilitator to work in break-out groups to discuss key-issues related to the transformation process of agricultural research for development (AR4D) and to propose an action-framework at national, regional and global level. The groups were formed around the themes: Investments, Restructuring of AR4D, Partnerships and Capacity Building. Plenary sessions were held to discuss working groups' results and a separate session was focusing on formulating feedback on the CGIAR reform process. In several working group sessions, participants were also asked to provide success-stories and to discuss list key-questions, as a way for structured discussion. This exercise was followed by the development of an action framework on national, regional and global level. Groups were formed to ensure that a variety of stakeholders and country representatives were present in each group to capture a diversity of angles. Plenary sessions were included for groups to present their proposals and obtain feedback. On the last day, a special session was included in the program to get feedback on the CGIAR-reform.

The main achievement was the formulation of a general action framework, with a focus on national and regional level, proposed measures to increase investments, built capacities, better established partnerships and restructured AR4D. The retreat reinforced a clear call to strengthen regional collaboration, regional resources and knowledge sharing to tackle challenges in AR4D. AARINENA could play a role as a “matchmaker’’, bringing together the


skills, capabilities, resources and adding value of various national partners in order to develop regional projects with potential donors and development agencies. The retreat emphasized the importance of learning from success-stories in the region. The group acknowledged the importance of such case studies for advocacy and knowledge sharing and proposed measures to capture such success stories in a systematic way. The retreat also contributed to an increased awareness and ownership of the transformation process of AR4D, including the CGIAR reform. The participants of AARINENA retreat discussed and recommended the followings:

Collective action at national level by all stakeholders to follow-up on the action framework

Monitor the implementation of the post-GCARD1 action framework at national level in order to report on the progress in WANA region at GCARD 2012

Develop a baseline and an M&E system for tracking progress on the status of AR4D in the WANA region.

Strengthen AARINENA’s role and capabilities to initiate and support regional collaboration, “matching” capabilities of different NARES and forming a bridge between NARES and international agencies.

AARINENA could establish closer links with other regional organizations. Discuss the organizational change process of AARINENA in more detail in a separate

event. In terms of CGIAR reform, two key-messages emerged from the retreat including the

need for: inclusion of active stakeholders (NARES and farmers) in the structure of CRPs; and specify the role of the NARES in more detail vis-à-vis the CGIAR centers in the R&D continuum.

4.4 AARINENA Networks The technical networks had become a generic model for the establishment of functional mechanisms for collaboration and enhancement of communication and exchange of experiences among different countries in one region and/or different regions of the world. Networks were established to reduce duplicative efforts among national institutions in several countries and to provide a cost-effective instrument for information exchange and institution building (including training). Under the limited resources, networks would become more effective means for the optimal utilization of indigenous expertise and available resources among the countries themselves. Four commodity networks including (date-palm, olive, cotton, medicinal and aromatic plants) and three technical networks (water use efficiency, agricultural biotechnology and Plant Genetic Resources Network (PGRN)) had become an increasingly important means of action and to further collaboration in agricultural research and innovation in the region. Annex.3 shows AARINENA networks, coordinators and locations. The highlights of the progress on these Networks could be summarized as follows: 4.4.1 Date Palm Global Network (DPGN)

The 7th General Conference of AARINENA, held in Beirut–Lebanon in 2000, adopted the establishment of AARINENA Regional Date-palm Network which became effective in April 2002.

To Unified efforts and to facilitate actions, the regional network merged to the Date Palm Global Network (http://dpgn.uaeu.ac.ae/) that was established under aegis of FAO, and operated from the United Arab Emirates University at Al-Ain, and assisted by technical secretariat from FAO.

Countries of Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, U.A.E and Yemen became members of the network. To promote collaboration among the DPNG regions, three Regional Coordinators were defined: AARINENA: for the Near East and North Africa; Namibia: for the Sub-Sahran Africa; and Chile: For South America. Moreover, the

http://dpgn.uaeu.ac.ae/


DPGN included four technical working groups:

Pests and diseases group, hosted by Egypt Production and Commercialization group, hosted by UAE and Namibia Post Harvest Physiology and Processing group, hosted by UAE and Iraq Germplasm and Propagation group, hosted by UAE and India

AARINENA served on the coordinating board of the Network which included the coordinators of the technical groups, regional coordinators and representatives of the different regional and inter-regional date palm networks. Network Activities

Khalifa International Date Palm Award for 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 For the fourth session, applicants wishing to participate in Khalifa International Date Palm Award 2012 were advised to apply from the 1st of June until end of October 2011, as announced by General Secretariat of the Award. Interested candidates could apply to any of the award five categories including: Research, Studies and Technologies; Best Producer for Institutions; the Best New Technique; the Best Development Project; and Influential Figure(s) in the Date Palm Industry. The administrative office of the award would coordinate with the candidates to ensure the completion of all necessary paperwork. 4.4.2 Inter-Regional Cotton Network in Asia and North Africa (INCANA)

AARINENA, the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutes (APAARI) and Central Asian and Caucasian Association of Agricultural Research Institutes (CACAARI), recognized the importance of cotton production in a number of developing countries in Asia and North Africa, and produced more than half of the world's cotton production. Considering the prime role and importance of cotton in the agricultural economy with the support of GFAR and ICARDA, APAARI and CACAARI established the Inter-regional Cotton Network (http://www.cottonnetwork.org) in October, 2002. The Cotton Research Institute of Iran at Varamin was selected to host the Network Secretariat. The 11th leading cotton producers in the region were members of INCANA: Egypt, Iran, Pakistan, Syria, Azerbaijan, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Along with AARINENA, APAARI, CACAARI, the key partners of INCANA were: ICARDA, GFAR and AREO. Four working groups were active in INCANA: - Biotechnology application (India) - IPM on cotton (Syria) - Mechanization of cotton cultivation (Uzbekistan and Tajikistan) - Soil and water management (Pakistan and Egypt)

Network Activities

The Fourth Steering Committee Meeting of Inter-regional Network Cotton in the

Central Asia and North Africa (INCANA)

AARINENA in collaboration with APAARI, CACAARI, GFAR, cosponsored the Fourth Steering Committee Meeting of Inter-regional Network Cotton in the Central Asia and North Africa (INCANA) which was held during 16-18 December 2010 in Cairo, Egypt under the auspices of His Excellency Mr. Amin Abaza Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation of Egypt. The meeting was organized by the Egyptian Cotton Council in cooperation with Cotton Research Institute and attended by participants coming from India, Iran, Syria, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and

http://www.cottonnetwork.org/


Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) and a group of 11 cotton scientists from Egypt. At the Opening Session, keynote statements emphasized the role of cotton and its by-products on human life, the importance of cotton in INCANA member countries. AARINENA Executive Secretary, Dr. Ibrahim Hamdan reviewed the activities of AARINENA networks, and requested the participants to reactivate INCANA after being dormant in the last two years and prepare a work plan for the next two years. Mrs. Aisel Gharedaghli Coordinator at the Secretariat of the Network presented a report focusing on objectives, activities, and weakness and strengths points of the Network. Representatives of INCANA member countries highlighted the progress made on cotton research and development at the country reports session. In the roundtable discussion, the participants deliberated on the Network plan, and focused on reactivation of the network, success stories, e-newsletter, germplasm exchange, and website enhancement. The participants concluded that the network reactivation through defining the roles of the working groups and disseminating success stories from Tajikistan on fine fibrous cotton, India on cotton-wheat production system in Indo-gangetic plains, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan on G. Barbadence, IPM in Syria, and Egypt on agronomic management. The e-newsletter would be also published quarterly. The discussions underlined that there was no legal problem with germplasm exchange in member countries. The participants agreed to organize three workshops for each period between two Steering Committee meetings annually. One of the highlights of INCANA meeting was the expert consultation on Cotton Research Institute Programs. Experts of the Cotton Research Institute of Egypt addressed cotton crop management, cotton breeding and maintaining research, and cotton fiber Quality – importance to cotton breeder, producer and spinner. At the final session, the participants discussed and adopted the following recommendations:

- With regards to the roundtable discussion recommendations on the Network plan: The secretariat would send a draft technical report for each representative and they

would introduce or confirm the leader of related working group and the focal point for the e-newsletter.

The working groups and the leader members were as follows: India on Bt cotton; Syria on IPM; Egypt on cotton quality and Uzbekistan on cotton mechanization.

- With regards to cooperation between FARA and INCANA to find the way for involving African cotton producing countries in INCANA structure, the meeting proposed introducing focal point countries for each sub-region (Burkina Faso from the west, Tanzania from the east and South Africa from the south). The secretariat would wait for confirmation of the respective countries.

- Dr. Mohamed A. Mageed A. Aziz, President of Egyptian Council of Cotton was elected as the Network chairman of board.

- The next INCANA meeting would be held in India. 4.4.3 Regional Olive Network

The Olive network (http://www.aarinena.org/rais/documents/OliveNet/index.htm) was established in February 2004 and hosted by the Olive Tree Institute at Sfax-Tunisia, to strengthen Interregional cooperation by establishing linkages to the European System of Cooperative Research Networks in Agriculture (ESCORENA)-Olive Network. Nine olive producers in the Association region (Cyprus, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey) joined as members of the network. The network included three olive technical working groups:

o Olive production and Protection group: hosted by Egypt o Post-harvest processing technologies group: hosted by Jordan o Socio-economic and commercialization group: hosted by Syria.

The focal points were selected from NGOs, Private sector, research institutions and universities. They would constitute the coordinating board of the network.

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Network Activities 1) Olive-bioteq 2009: For a Renovated Profitable and Competitive Mediterranean Olive Growing Sector

The Olivebioteq 2009 was the third seminar in a series of meetings targeting olive crop. The first seminar on Biotechnology and olive products quality in the Mediterranean was held in Morocco in November 2004, the second Olivebioteq was held in Palermo, Italy in October 2006. The Olivebioteq 2009: For a Renovated Profitable and Competitive Mediterranean Olive Growing Sector was held during 15 - 19 December 2009 in Sfax, Tunisia, and organized by the Tunisian Olive Tree Institute in collaboration with several national and international organizations. Dr. Saleh Shedifat, Olive Network Chairperson, and Mr. Mohamed El-Kholy, AARENINA Olive Network focal point in Egypt represented AARINENA in the meeting, along with 200 participants coming from 12 countries including: Algeria, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey and USA. The meeting was aimed to discuss the results of scientific research and deliberate to make results useful for the innovation of the Mediterranean olive oil sector. Aiming at improving the competitiveness of the Mediterranean olive growing sector, many topics of scientific research and useful implementations were presented and discussed. Key areas raised were: olive biodiversity in producing countries, crop production practices in olive orchards, climate change impacts on olive culture, best practices for olive oil and table olives processing, innovations in using by products, olive marketing and economics and new trends in super high density olive plantations. The event provided an excellent environment to exchange experiences and discuss potential cooperation in new olive research projects across the Mediterranean Basin. The Olivebioteq 2009 included an exhibition for olive tree products, olive oil tasting sessions, training workshops on traceability and roundtable discussions on aero-palynology, importance of olive cultivation in rural development and the impacts of the economic crisis on the olive supply chain. The participants adopted to hold the fourth Olivebioteq at the Institute of Olive Tree and Subtropical Plants in 2011 in Greece. 2) Olive GAP Manual, Good Agricultural Practices for NENA Countries 2010

Olive GAP Manual (Good Agricultural Practices for Near East and North Africa Countries 2010) was produced by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Regional Office for the Near East (FAO/RNE) in collaboration with AARINENA, Agriculture Research Institute (ARI), Cyprus and GFAR. The manual was prepared by Olive experts of the AARENINA Olive Network and edited by Dr. Ibrahim Hamdan, Executive Secretary of AARINENA and Mr. Mohamed El-Kholy, focal point of AARINENA Olive Network in Egypt, and a private olive grower. The manual, included a step-by step approach for each phase of olive production, would contribute to environmentally friendly and economically viable production of olives, ensuring that the produce is safe; Improving the productivity of olive-based farming systems in the NENA countries on a sustainable basis; and Ensuring the long-term future of olive grove holdings and help growers to face fluctuations in the market. The manual consisted of twelve chapters including: Constrains and strengthens of olive sector in WANA countries; Concerns of small holders; Water; Soil, Irrigation, Fertilization, Pruning, Varieties and propagation; Alternate bearing in olive trees; Weed, pest and disease management; Harvesting and post-harvest procedures, and all aspects of agricultural practices. 3) The 28th International Horticulture Congress (IHC2010) of the International Society

for Horticulture Sciences (ISHS)

Along with 3,300 participants coming from 110 countries, Mr. Mohamed El-Kholy, focal point of AARINENA Olive Network in Egypt and a private olive grower, represented AARINENA in the


28th International Horticulture Congress (IHC2010) of the International Society for Horticulture Sciences (ISHS). The conference was held in Lisbon, Portugal during 22-27 August 2010, and organized by Portuguese Horticulture Association (APH), Spanish Society for Horticulture Sciences (SECH), and International Society for Horticulture Science (ISHS).

4) AARINENA involved in the scientific review of the contributions presented at the ISHS Symposium on Olive Culture, September 2008 in Portugal

5) The Scientific Committee of the VIIth International Symposium on Olive Growing, San Juan-Argentina, 25-29 September 2012, Organized by ISHS.

4.4.4 Regional Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Network (MAP)

The Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Network (http://www.aarinena.org/MHPWeb/) was established in September 2004, to strengthen partnership among all the different bodies and stakeholders in each of the participating member countries that were involved in the chain of cultivation, production, processing, marketing and research of medicinal and herbal plants. The network was hosted by the National Center for Agricultural Research and Extension (NCARE) with the following working groups:

Conversation and Sustainable Use Group: hosted by Morocco Agricultural Practices: Sudan Post Harvest Processing Technology: Jordan Scio-economic and Commercialization: Malta.

Egypt, Iran, Kuwait, Jordan, Malta, Morocco, Oman, Sudan, Syria and Yemen are members of the Medicinal and Herbal Plants Network.

Network Activities

13th International Conference and Exhibition on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

The 13th International Conference and Exhibition on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants was organized by the Egyptian Society for the Producers, Manufacturers and Exporters of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (ESMAP), and held during 3-5 October 2009 at Cairo University in Egypt. The conference was co-sponsored by AARINENA, Agricultural Research Centre (ARC), Desert Research Center (DRC), Shoura Chemicals Company, Egyptian International Trade Point in Egypt and ISHS, and inaugurated by Dr. Ayman Abu-Hadid, President of ARC and AARINENA Vice President. The conference and exhibition theme was access to tomorrow's world present and future state. More than 120 participants coming from Algeria, Egypt, France, Jordan, Morocco, South Africa, Sudan, and USA, representing business men, cooperatives, farmers, experts of post harvest technologies, agronomists, and consultants attended the meeting. The objective of the 13th International Conference and Exhibition was to stand on the advanced technologies of inputs, cultivation and processing of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs). The participants discussed key topics on environmental systems of MAPN, production and manufacturing systems of MAPN, marketing systems of MAPN – opportunities and challenges, complementary and alternative medicine, and MAPN and food industries. The focal point and organizer of this conference was Prof. Dr. Mohamed Safwat, Ex-Chairman of the Board of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) Network and a Professor at Minia University, Egypt. Dr. Safwat was instrumental behind the Network activities. He also headed the organizing committee of the 13th International Conference and Exhibition on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. Dr. Safwat passed away in 2010. AARINENA notes with deep regret the loss of Prof. Dr. Mohamed Said Safwat. His outstanding scientific contributions were a testimony for the MAP Network; such as organization the 13th International Conference and Exhibition; sharing experience with agricultural platforms in research and development; preparation of

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project proposals; and participation in international, regional, and national events and meetings. 4.4.5 Regional Water Use Efficiency Network

AARINENA, ICARDA and GFAR established the Water use Efficiency Network in November 2007. The Network aimed to contribute to water saving, improvement and sustained productivity and quality through mobilization of existing knowledge and production of adapted technology packages. The secretariat of the Network was hosted at INRA –Morocco. Four technical working groups were formed:

Management and conservation of rain water in rainfed agriculture (Yemen). Sustainable management of water in irrigated agriculture (Iran). Decision making and water management tools-modeling and GIS (Egypt). Institutional, policy and socio-economy analysis and evaluation of water in irrigated

agriculture (Syria). Countries of Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, and Yemen, in addition to ICARDA and FAO are members of the network. The only activity of the network was the publishing and distribution of the proceedings of AARINENA Expert Consultation Meeting for establishment of Water Use efficiency Network, 26-27 November 2006, ICARAD-Aleppo, Syria. No other activities were implemented by the Regional Water Use Efficiency Network. 4.4.6 Regional Agricultural Biotechnology Network The need for a coordinating body and a technical cooperation network on agricultural biotechnology for the promotion of cooperation among the regional institutes, urged AARINENA to establish the Agricultural Biotechnology Network December, 2007. The Network secretariat was hosted by the Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research Institute (AGERI) at Agricultural Research Center (ARC) in Giza –Egypt. The members of the network included 14 Countries: Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen. Network Activities

1) RABNENA Network

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has completed the new development of the Regional Agricultural Biotechnology Knowledge Network of Near East and North Africa (RABNENA). The network site (http://www.rabnena.net) is composed of 30 web-based information systems, modules/applications. Each Agricultural Biotechnology Institute in NENA Region has a separate website, and each Technical Disciplines within the thematic knowledge network has a separate website integrated within RABNENA Network. Information can be filtered by institution, country or by disciplines of Agricultural Biotechnology. The web information system is fully multilingual, multi-countries and thematic and inter-thematic functionality with state of the art open source technology. It has a back-end (Content Management System) for entering, storing, update data and information. 2) An Introductory Course on Bioinformatics, Egypt

An introductory course on bioinformatics was held from the 23rd of November to the 2nd of December 2008 at Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research Institute (AGERI), Egypt. The training was sponsored by AARINENA, Global Forum for Agricultural Research (GFAR), and AGERI. One aim of this course was to provide basic tools and concepts that would help trainees

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acquire the basic skills in Bioinformatics techniques and to be able to apply what they learned in their different disciplines. Fourteen researches and bioengineers working in the area of biotechnology came from AARINENA member countries (Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen) and three from APAARI member countries (Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka) participated in the training. The participants toured the premises of the institute, visited the different laboratories, and given brief details on the ongoing research conducted. The training comprised both lectures and practical sessions. Key topics raised including: Introduction to bioinformatics, Basics in molecular biology, information databases, Genomics, Biological and Multiple Sequence Alignment, Sequence Similarity Search, Bioinformatics tools for DNA manipulation, Phylogenetics, Protein Databases, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and Bio-safety. 3) Participation in the FAO International Technical Conference on Agricultural Biotechnologies in Developing Countries, Mexico

The FAO International Technical Conference on Agricultural Biotechnologies in Developing Countries (ABDC): Options and Opportunities in Crops, Forestry, Livestock, Fisheries and Agro-industry to face the Challenges of Food Insecurity and Climate Change, was held in Guadalajara, Mexico from 1 to 4 March 2010. A series of regional parallel sessions of Latin America and the Caribbean; Near East and North Africa; Sub-Saharan Africa; Asia and the Pacific; and Eastern Europe and Central Asia regions were held with the scope to address the potential role of biotechnologies for agricultural development. AARINENA delegation participated in the WANA parallel session included the Coordinator of Agricultural Biotechnology Network, Dr. Osama Momtaz; Dr. Ahmad Abdul Kader, Bio-Safety Technical Group Leader for AARINENA Biotechnology Network; and Dr. Michael Baum from ICARDA. Dr. Alexander Percy Smith acted as a facilitator for the session. The three speakers presented the Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) in the field of modern agricultural biotechnology in WANA to face the challenges of food insecurity and climate change. The first part presented by Dr. Osama Momtaz dealt with the characteristics of WANA region with several development problems including poverty, lack of gainful livelihoods, shortage of water, droughts and desertification. It also included the AARINENA mission, the geographical distribution of the AARINENA Networks, and reviewed the current status of biotechnology applications in WANA Region. The second part of the presentation was delivered by Dr. Ahmad Abdul Kader dealt with the SWOT analysis of agricultural biotechnology in the region. The third part was presented by Dr. Michael Baum and dealt with the SWOT analysis of livestock biotechnology in the WANA region. The main findings of the SWOT analysis were: a) strengths: WANA region has some well-equipped laboratories, trained personnel, an Agri-biotech Network, several centers of biodiversity and some centers of excellence; b) weaknesses: a lack of public awareness and poor communication about biotechnology, a lack of regional cooperation and harmonization of bio-safety regulations; c) opportunities: international organizations are in a strong position to contribute, a considerable potential for private sector involvement, develop a regional bio-safety regulatory framework tailoring national priorities; d) threats: political instability and the socio-economic situation may be a threat in the region, a risk posed by GMOs on biodiversity, absence of regional policy and national strategies. 4) The Bio-safety Technical Group Leader for AARINENA Biotechnology Network Coordinated the Implementation of a Series of Bio-technology Activities

Dr. Ahmad Abdulkader from the General Commission for Scientific and Agricultural Research (GCSAR) in Syria, and Bio-safety Technical Group Leader for AARINENA Biotechnology Network coordinated the implementation of a series of bio-technology activities during the last sixth months including:


- A workshop on Bio-safety and GMO detection, June 2010;

- A training course on GMO detection attended by 18 participants from 6 Arab countries; - Developing the Bio-safety legislations in Syria;

- Participation in preparing a laboratory Manual for the Regional Training Course on “Detection of Genetically Modified Organisms and Bio-safety for Food and Agriculture”. The manual is an output of the FAO regional project TCP/RAB/3202(D) entitled: ‘Strengthening capacities towards the establishment of a regional platform for the detection of genetically modified organisms’, and developed for a regional training on "Detection of Genetically Modified Organisms and Bio-safety for Food and Agriculture”. The manual is available in Arabic and English. It was divided into two parts; the first one covers the Theoretical Background on GMO Detection and Bio-safety, while the second part covers different practical methods for GMO detection.

5) The Fifth International Conference on GM Foods, Amman– Jordan

Dr. Osama Momtaz, AARINENA Biotechnology Network Coordinator participated in the Fifth International Conference on GM Foods, which was held during 6-7 June 2011 in Amman– Jordan under the auspices of His Excellency Minister of Agriculture in Jordan, Mr. Samir Habashneh. Dr. Momtaz presented a paper on genetically modified foods to the meeting. The Technical Consultancy Center in Jordan organized the technical advisory with the participation of specialized local institutions including Ministry of Agriculture, National Center for Agricultural Research and Extension (NCARE), the Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA), Agricultural Engineers Association, the Association of veterinarians and the Arab Federation for Food Industries. A large number of experts and scholars from various Arab countries attended the conference. 6) New Publications Biotechnology in the WANA Region

AARINENA Biotechnology Network Coordinator published four papers on biotechnology themes in scientific journals. 4.4.7 Regional Plant Genetic Resources Network (PGRN)

A proposed document for the Regional Plant Genetic Resources Network (PGRN) in the Near East and North Africa was presented at the network session for adoption at the 11th General Conference held in Damascus 12-14th October 2008. The document was presented by Dr. Wagdi George Ayad, Regional Director Biodiversity – CWANA summarizes a draft proposal for the establishment of regional Network for regional network for PGR in WANA prepared by Dr. M. Zehni and Dr. I. Hamdan in April 2008. The proposal included rationale, objectives, expected outputs, composition and technical working groups and financial requirements. This regional PGR conservation strategy included a recommendation to establish a PGR Network under AARINENA in recognition of the fact that the success of any conservation strategy for the WANA Region hinges on strengthening coordination within and among countries of the region. Dr. L. Guarino presented the report on the Global Crop Diversity Trust Collaboration with PGRN. The criteria for long-term support were PGRFA judged important in the context of regional or crop conservation strategy, effective links to users Material in Multilateral System of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), facilities, human resources and management systems adequate to ensure long-term conservation to internationally agreed technical standards, willingness to act in partnership to achieve a rational system for conserving PGRFA and make them available. So, the PGRN was established in October 2008 and the secretariat was hosted by Agricultural Research Center in Sudan. The network was cosponsored by Bioversity International (BI) and International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). Three technical working groups were hosted by ARC-Egypt, AREEO-Iran and ICARDA. The members of the


network included: Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morroco, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia and Yemen. Network Activities 1) Regional Workshop on Gene Bank Documentation and Management in the Near East and North Africa Region

Under the auspices of H.E Dr. Faisal Awawdeh, Director General of the National Center for Agricultural Research and Extension (NCARE), the Regional Workshop on Gene bank Documentation and Management in the Near East and North Africa Region was held at NCARE in Amman, Jordan, during 30-31 January 2010. The workshop co-organizers were: Bioversity International and AARINENA in collaboration with ICARDA and NCARE of Jordan. The meeting was attended by Gene bank managers/curators coming from Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen. The Director General of NCARE highlighted that the meeting was organized in the framework of the International Conference on Food Security and Climate Change in the Dry Areas, and for the concerns on growing importance of plant genetic resources and gene banks and their roles in the conservation of agro-biodiversity and in facing environmental challenges and climate change. Bioversity Regional Director for Europe Dr. Joseph Turok stressed the importance of gene bank documentation and management, and thanked NCARE for hosting the regional workshop. The workshop aimed to bring together participants from the different sub-regions of AARINENA, in order to (i) exchange information on current status of gene bank documentation and management; (ii) build capacity on emerging global accession-level documentation system; (iii) share best practices for gene bank management; and (iv) consider role and relevance of gene banks for expected changes of climate in the Region. The participants were informed about the gene bank documentation systems, and their linkages with the emerging global system of accession-level germ-plasm information (GRIN-Global), and get acquainted on the global system itself; and Best practices for gene bank management. The workshop provided a link with the global training of Regional focal points for GRIN-Global. The participants informed about the Crop gene bank knowledge base (CGKB) and trained on using the web relevant to gene bank documentation and management (http://cropgenebank.sgrp.cgiar.org).

2) Consultation Meeting of the PGR Network

AARINENA cosponsored the Consultation Meeting of the Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) Network which was held in Aleppo, Syria on 4th of November 2010 and attended by representatives from 12 AARINENA member countries (Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen), in addition to two representatives from ICARDA. The meeting aimed to discuss and consult on ways and means to activate the PGR Network through three main themes, namely governance and structure, areas for collaboration and networking, and next immediate steps. The PGR Network member countries considered the need for more frequent meetings for the network bodies especially during the early initial stage of establishment in order to formulate strategies, action plans and proposals. The participants also deliberated on formation and activation of PGR Network working groups, establishment of herbaria within national programs and need for building capacity in area of plant taxonomy, eco-geographic surveys and in-situ conservation activities within the region.


The meeting agreed on the following potential areas for collaboration and networking among the members: a) explore possibilities of expanding the coverage of the GRIN-Global project system; b) safety duplication of PGR collections, and provide long term conservation services through advanced gene banks and utilize from ICARDA facilities; c) carrying out joint PGR exploration and collection missions among member countries and institutes; d) building the human capacity on PGR topics through training and scientific visits; e) collaborating in the area of PGR legislations including implementation of the international agreements; f) raise the awareness on PGR related issues among policy makers and the public within the region; and g) request from ICARDA to provide a technical back-stopping to the network in the areas of information and conservation. The meeting recommended the following immediate steps:

- Contact with AARINENA Secretariat and conveying the request for supporting a coordinating board meeting to discuss the governance and status of PGR activities

- Contacts with the Treaty Secretariat on possible collaborative activities - Facilitate the exchange of national PGR legislations among member countries.

3) The Fourth Regular Session of ITPGRFA

AARINENA delegation including Dr. Ahmad Tawfik, the chair of the coordinating board of the NENA-Plant Genetic Resources Network (PGRN); Dr. Sobhia Saifan, Jordan PGRN focal point; and Dr. Ali Al-Lawati, Oman PGRN focal point participated in the Fourth Regular Session of the Governing Body of International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) held at the Bali International Convention Center in Bali, Indonesia during 14-18 March 2011. The ITPGRFA Session saw a diversity of side events – nearly 14 in total. One of the successful side events was GFAR side event on Putting Article 6 ‘Sustainable Use of Plant Genetic Resources’ into force that GFAR not only showed what the GFAR was all about by illustrating the development opportunities in sustainable use of plant genetic resources, but also highlighted a collective movement, recently initiated among a wide range of international programmes and multi-stakeholder Regional Forums, to strengthen the role and value of agro-biodiversity in development. GFAR side event was opened by the Executive Secretary of GFAR, Dr. Mark Holderness who highlighted the role of GFAR in improving sustainable use of plant genetic resources and presented the interaction between GFAR and the ITPGRFA. Dr. Ahmad Tawfik made a presentation on the AARINENA PGR Network focusing on the feature of NENA region, the network goal, objectives, and working groups. He addressed the scope of the network, and proposed the following priority activities for the 2011-2012:

- Conduct SWOT analysis of PGR programs in some NENA member countries; - Contact ITPGRFA and others for support of a workshop on PGRFA and GR policies and

legislations; - Identify breeder’s traits of interest for major crops grown in the region; - Co-organize training course and workshops with regional and international organizations

and other institutions; - Develop joint proposals based on agreed themes; and - Organize at least one meeting of the PGR network for presenting the achievement and

developing future work plans. 4) The First Coordinating Board Meeting of the NENA- PGR Network

AARINENA, with support of Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in Sultanate of Oman and the Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR) and Bioversity International (BI), has organized and cosponsored the First Coordinating Board (CB) Meeting of the Near East and North Africa (NENA) Plant Genetic Resources Network (PGRN), which took place in Muscat, the Sultanate of Oman during 27-29 June 2011. The meeting was hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and attended by 20 participants representing 12 national focal points of member countries and institutes (Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Saudi


Arabia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen), in addition to representatives of Bioversity International, GFAR and ICARDA. The first meeting of the CB of NENA PGRN was aiming at: i) Strengthening the governance system of the network and building up realistic mechanisms for making and taking decisions as well as for follow-up and implementation; ii) Agreement on priority areas for collaboration and networking within the network; iii) Initiation of a process for development of specific project proposals as well as a regional strategy; iv) Initiation of a process for development of funding strategy for the network; and v) Stetting up and agreement on a work plan for the year 2011-2012.

The agenda of the meeting was adopted and included: i) Reporting on the network activities since 2008; ii) Country status reports; iii) The network governance and mechanisms for action and follow-up; iv) Priority areas for collaboration, networking and interregional cooperation; v) The network financial requirements and related matters; vi) Development of project proposals and network strategy; vii) Development and adoption of an annual work plan for 2011-2012; viii) Election of a chairperson for the Coordinating Board for the coming year (2011 – 2012); and ix) Deciding on the venue and dates for the second meeting of the Coordinating Board.

The meeting was opened by Mr. Sayyed Hilal Bin Musalam Al-Busaidi, Advisor, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries of Sultanate of Oman. An introductory speech was also delivered by Dr. A. Aziz Al-Harthy, Director, Plant Production Research Centre in Directorate General of Agriculture and Livestock Research, Ministry of Agriculture, Oman. An opening note presentation entitled (NENA PGRN: Past Experience and pointers to the Future) was delivered by Dr. Mohamed Zehni who stressed that gaining the trust and understanding of policy makers was crucial and noted that the establishment of the NENA-PGRN under the auspices of AARINENA fulfilled a major recommendation of the strategy. He stressed the need to update the c urrent s t rate gy a n d bui ldi n g up da ta bas e for pla nt gen et i c res ourc es .

Dr. El Tahir Ibrahim Mohamed, Coordinator of the Network presented the general report on activities of the network since its establishment in 2008. Dr. Sobhia Saifan, Jordan PGRN focal point presented a summary report on the Fourth Regular Session of the Governing Body of ITPGRFA held at the Bali International Convention Center in Bali, Indonesia during 14-18 March 2011. With regards to the structure and governance of the PGRN, the Network coordinator reviewed the structure and functions of each of the following network bodies: Membership and focal points; Coordinating Board; and Coordination Unit (Secretariat). He concluded by emphasizing on the necessity of having a full-time network secretariat (coordinating unit) with a full time secretary (coordinator) in order for the network to function effectively. He also proposed establishment of an executive committee for the network that to be composed of representatives from each of the sub-regions in the NENA region, in addition to the coordinator and the chairperson of the coordinating board (CB).

Dr. Ahmad Abassi from Iran highlighted the NENA PGRN Technical Working Groups (TWGs). He reviewed the functions of the TWGs as important bodies within the network including mainly collection and dissemination of information, planning and implementation, capacity building, planning and coordination of research and development programmes, and provision of technical assistance to various national institutions. Representative of Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco and Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Yemen presented their country status reports addressing plant genetic resources in their respective countries including generally information on diversity status, efforts for conservation, enhancement of utilization and documentation as well as policy and legislative related aspects. The participants deliberated on priority areas for collaboration, networking and interregional cooperation financial requirements and related matters, towards a work plan for 2011–2012: the Joint ECPGR/NENA PGRN workshop on implementation of the ITPGRFA, and country status reports. With regards to development of project proposals and network strategy, Dr. Ahmed Amri from ICARDA made a presentation entitled "Thematic areas and mechanisms for development of


project proposals for conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources in NENA region". He emphasized the need for a comprehensive assessment of PGRFA conservation and utilization activities, opportunities for more coordinated efforts, and for strengthening national PGR programmes. The coordinator introduced a proposal for the meeting in order to activate the Technical Working Groups by suggesting restructuring them into three thematic areas including Conservation of PGR, Information and Documentation of PGR and Policy and Legislation related to PGR. The participants discussed and adopted the following recommendations:

With regards to governance and administration of the Network, the Coordinating Board formed an ad hoc Working Group to examine governance and administrative issues relevant to the PGR Network which adopted the following recommendations:

Review the establishment document of NENA PGRN adopted in 2008 by the AARINENA Conference, in order to serve as the network main document.

To create an executive committee composed of the Chair of the Coordinating Board, the Coordinator, as ex officio, and a member from each of AARINENA’s sub-regions to be elected in rotation.

To call on AARINENA to consider ways and means of meeting the requirements for a full-time coordinator, as stipulated in the instrument establishing the Network, as soon as it is financially feasible.

Identify possible contributors for the planned joint workshop with ECPGR on the implementation of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) which will be held in Izmir-Turkey in September 2011.

With regards to the network strategy Update the PGR strategy for WANA region developed in 2006 to serve as a strategy for the

NENA -PGRN. Identify two areas for immediate preparation of concept notes for full regional project

proposals including Harmonization of PGR Information Systems in NENA, and Assessment of Status of the Current PGR Programs in NENA

Prepare a proposal on activation of working groups by the coordinator. The above outcomes are the main components of the network annual work plan for 2011-

2012. Oman was elected as chair of the CB for the coming year (2011-2012). The Second Coordinating Board Meeting will be held in Egypt in June 2012.

5) Joint ECPGR and NENA PGR Workshop on the implementation of the International

Treaty of PGRFA

As part of the activities of the ECPGR Inter-regional Cooperation Network, a joint workshop between ECPGR and the Near East and North Africa Plant Genetic Resources Network (NENA PGRN) was organized on 28-29 September 2011 in Menemen, Turkey, with the local support of the Aegean Agricultural Research Institute. This workshop was dedicated to exchange views, information and experiences related to the implementation of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Treaty). The NENA PGRN Network was represented by the Coordinator and members from Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Sudan and Yemen. ECPGR was represented by the Secretariat and members from Germany, Sweden and Turkey. International organizations (Bioversity International, ICARDA and GFAR) were involved and also the Secretary of the Treaty, Mr. Shakeel Bhatti, honored the meeting with his attendance. The workshop unfolded with presentations from both networks regarding the national and regional approaches to ex situ conservation, documentation and information, implementation of the Multilateral System (MLS) of the Treaty and its related policies and legislation. The workshop was an example of implementation of Article 8 of the Treaty on technical assistance to Contracting Parties. The

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concept for A European Gene bank Integration System (AEGIS) was received as an interesting approach, even though NENA probably still needs to reflect on the most suitable approach for collaboration in the conservation of ex situ PGR in its region. Among the examples provided by ECPGR that also seemed to be appealing for consideration by NENA PGRN, the online EURISCO catalogue of ex situ plant genetic resources resulted as an outstanding case, based as it is on National Inventory Focal points gathering data at national level and transferring them to a central online catalogue through a standard exchange format. A strong recommendation was directed from the meeting to NENA PGRN, indicating the need to reach self-sustainability through the acquisition of firm national commitment as a pre-requisite for regional collaboration. Shared examples showing various approaches to policy and legislation conveyed the impression that strong and comprehensive coordination at national level generally gives the most effective results and that there are cases where introducing new legislation may not be necessary. On the other hand, skilled staff is often a bottle neck in a number of countries and capacity building remains a high priority. Capacity building for the implementation of the Treaty at both regional and national levels was indicated by NENA PGRN as an immediate need for effective implementation of the Treaty and its MLS in NENA. This workshop paved the way to further exchanges of information between the two Networks and to possible opportunities for advice or training in the near future. It was also a successful example of interaction among two regions at the network level, which is probably one of the most effective ways to promote the principles of the Treaty and its implementation on a regional scale. NENA PGRN has specifically expressed interest in future collaboration with ECPGR on different aspects of PGR conservation and management.

6) A study on Empowerment of Women in Agriculture

A study was proposed to establish a mechanism and policies to advance the role of women working in agriculture in the region. This would include women farmers and their needs for extension advice and input as well as women working in research innovation and knowledge transfer. The outcome of the study would be recommendations for policy makers and concrete action plans. 4.5 Strengthening Inter-regional Cooperation

One major objective of AARINENA was to strengthen cross-linkages between national, regional and international research centers and organizations, including universities, through involvement in jointly planned research and training programmes. The following subsections summarize the actions and activities of AARINENA pertinent to strengthening inter-regional cooperation.

4.5.1 Collaboration with CGIAR 1. AARINENA participated as external organization in the Strategy and Results Framework and

Mega Program Development Workshop held during 17-20 February 2009 in Bioverstity International (BI) headquarter, Rome, and organized by the CGIAR Alliance.

2. AARINENA, along with delegations from ICARDA, ICRISAT, and CIAT, participated in the scientific visit to Montpellier, Clermont-Ferrand, Dijon, France during 29 March - 3 April 2009.

3. AARINENA participation in the CGIAR's Mega Programs (MPs) Dr. Sami Sabry from Agricultural Research Center (ARC) of Egypt represented AARINENA in the Stakeholders Meeting for MP3 on Dryland Cereals (held during 2-3 August 2010) and Grain Legumes (held during 6-7 August 2010) in Nairobi, Kenya. This meeting was organized by the International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) that has lead the development of MP3 on Dry land Cereals-Food security and growth for the world's most

http://www.aegis.cgiar.org/


vulnerable poor; and MP3 on Grain Legumes- Enhanced food and feed security, nutritional balance, economic growth and soil health for small holder farmers. President of AARINENA, Dr. Ahmed Al-Bakri represented the Association in the Second MP1.1 Stakeholder Consultative Conference on integrated agricultural production systems for dry areas, which was organized by ICARDA and held at its Headquarter in Aleppo, Syria during 9-10 August 2010. Dr. Faisal Awawdeh, Director General of the National Center for Agricultural Research and Extension (NCARE) of Jordan represented AARINENA in Workshop to develop CGIAR MP2 on Policies, Institutions, and Markets to Strengthen Assets and Agricultural Incomes for the Poor, organized by IFPRI in Addis Ababa from 17-19 August 2010.

4. AARINENA participation in the Consortium Research Programs (CRPs) Dr. Ghassan Hamdallah represented AARINENA and was appointed to chair the WANA Group for the Dryland Systems Regional Planning Working Meeting, held in Nairobi- Kenya during 27-30 June 2011. The main objective of the meeting was to address the CGIAR Fund Council’s conditions required to revise the Consortium Research Program (CRP1.1) on “Integrated Agriculture Systems for the Poor and Vulnerable in Dry Areas” (Dryland Systems).

5. Representing Regional Fora in the CGIAR Fund Council during AARINENA represented the Regional Fora in the Fifth CGIAR Fund Council Meeting which took place during 6-8 July at the Word Bank in Washington, DC. Each of the research programs, proposed by the Montpellier-based CGIAR Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centres, is working on a global scale by combining the efforts and expertise of multiple members of the CGIAR Consortium and involving some 300-600 partners from NARS, NGOs, advanced research institutes, CSOs, farmer organizations, and the private sector. The CGIAR approved six new programs, totalling some US$957 million, aimed at improving food security and the sustainable management of the water, soils, and biodiversity that underpin agriculture in the world’s poorest countries.

6. International Wheat Stripe Rust Symposium AARINENA, along with regional and international organizations, cosponsored the International Wheat Stripe Rust Symposium held at ICARDA Headquarters, Aleppo, Syria during 18-20 April 2011. The Meeting organized by the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) in collaboration with Borlaug Global Rust Initiative (BGRI), International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO), International Development Research Center (IDRC, Canada), and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). Scientists, research managers and donors met at the symposium announced the Aleppo Declaration on the continuing threat of stripe rust to global wheat production. The Declaration is a call for sustained, coordinated responses to this threat. The participants pledged to continue to work together to prevent wheat rust – particularly stripe rust using a science-based approach; to integrate wheat rust management into agricultural development strategies; and to expand policy cooperation at regional and international levels. The signatories to the Aleppo Declaration pledged to:

- Strengthen the global rust reference laboratory, and upgrading skills and facilities at national and regional rust laboratories.

- Urge Ministries of Agriculture to accelerate the replacement of rust-susceptible varieties by closely integrating research, seed production and dissemination.

- Recommend the appropriate use of fungicides as a key control measure. - Create formal networks (with adequate funding and clearly defined roles) for germplasm

distribution, disease surveillance, and sharing of information. - Capacity development across all rust disciplines. - Put epidemic forecasting systems in place as part of a regional strategy, to provide advice

and support for action by Ministries of Agriculture.

http://consortium.cgxchange.org/

http://www.cgiar.org/


7. International Conference on Food Security and Climate Change in Dry Areas

Under the patronage of H.E Prime Minster of Jordan and with attendance of HRH Prince Hassan Bin Talal, the International Conference on Food Security and Climate Change in Dry Areas was held during 1-4 February 2010 in Amman, Jordan. More than 200 scientists and experts coming from 29 countries and 13 organizations attended the conference which was co-sponsored and organized by the National Center for Agricultural Research and Extension (NCARE), Ministry of Agriculture of Jordan, International Center for Agricultural research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) and AARINENA.

8. Bioversity Week In celebration of the International Year of Biodiversity, the Bioversity International (BI) sponsored the Bioversity Week (Settimana della Biodiversita’) during 20-23 May 2010 in Rome. The Executive Secretary, Dr. Ibrahim Hamdan represented AARINENA in the event and presented WANA region focus on bioversity. In the framework of the International Day of Biodiversity, Bioversity International had organized a ceremony to honor seven Guardians of Diversity in the Mediterranean. The Guardians of Diversity included farmers, community activists, scientists and scholars; and represented various approaches to the conservation of agricultural biodiversity. Dr. Ibrahim Hamdan presented to Mr. Hrou Abouchrif, a private farmer from Morocco the Guardian of Diversity Mediterranean award.

4.5.2 Collaboration with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

(UNFCCC)

- Dr. Jad Isaac, NGO representative, and Mr. Mohamed El-Kholy, a farmer, represented AARINENA in the Agriculture and Rural Development Day (ARDD), 12 December 2009, Copenhagen, Denmark, which was held in the framework of the 15th United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP-15). The Agriculture and Rural Development Day was organized by GFAR, IFAD, IFAP, FAO, the World Bank, and the CGIAR and hosted by the Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen.

- Mr. Mohamed El-Kholy, focal point of AARINENA Olive Network in Egypt and a private olive

grower, represented AARINENA in the Agriculture and Rural Development Day (ARDD) 2010 which was held in parallel to the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on 4th of December 2010 in Cancun, Mexico.

4.5.3 Collaboration with APAARI

- AARINENA participated in the 10th General Assembly Meeting (GAM) of Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI), held on 20 October 2008 at the International Congress Center, Tsukuba, Japan.

- Prof. Dr. Hail Shannag from Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) represented AARINENA in the Expert Consultation on Bio-pesticides and Bio-fertilizers for Sustainable Agriculture which was organized by APAARI at Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute, Taichung from 27 to 29 October, 2009 under the APAARI-COA Collaborative Program on Agricultural Biotechnology.

- Dr. Ibrahim Hamdan represented AARINENA in the Eleventh General Assembly Meeting

(GAM) of Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI), held on 12 October 2010 in Suwon, Republic of Korea, and addressed AARINENA experiences on inter-regional cooperation including partnership initiatives with APAARI, FARA and EFARD.

- Two researchers from Oman and Egypt represented AARINENA and participated in the

APAARI training courses held in Chinese Taipei in October and November 2010

http://www.biodiversityislife.net/


4.5.4 Collaboration with FARA

The Executive Secretary, Dr. Ibrahim Hamdan, represented AARINENA in the Fifth Agriculture Science Week and Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) General Assembly, held during 19-24 July 2010 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Dr. Ibrahim Hamdan made a presentation on “Opportunities for Inter-regional Cooperation”, focusing on AARINENA’s mission, sub-regions, objectives and its role as a multi-stakeholder platform for dialogue on AR4D. He addressed the importance of inter-regional cooperation including inter-regional experiences in one region which could serve as lessons for implementing actions in another region; enforce and facilitate implementation of the identified research priorities; link the efforts with regional and international R&D organizations; and Advocacy to policy makers on the importance of ARD for successful impact. 4.5.5 Collaboration the ERA-ARD

AARINENA is a member of the Southern Advisory Group (SAG) which was formed by the European Research Area-Agricultural Research for Development (ERA-ARD) to promote collaboration between South and North Centers. It likewise gives high priority to the participation of partners from the South in the decision-making process, thus the creation of the SAG in 2006 comprised of representatives of regional fora, namely; AARINENA, APAARI, FARA, and, FORAGRO. AARINENA participated in the ERA-ARD Meeting, held in Lithuania during 26-27 February

2009 with other members of the Southern Advisory Group (SAG) AARINENA Executive Secretary participated in the SAG Meeting, held in Budapest on 1st of

April 2009, along with other Regional Fora Representatives, to debate on the Regional Evidence Generation and Policy, and Institutional Mapping on Food and Bio-energy for the Africa, Asia, Latin American, and Near East and North Africa regions study detailed methodology and results integration.

The Executive Secretary represented AARINENA in the Sixth Meeting of Southern Advisory Group (SAG), held in Brussels, Belgium from 15 -17 December 2009, in which three meetings were conducted. The SAG members met on 15 December 2009, followed by the Bio-energy conference on 16 December 2009, and the International Conference on Dialogue between Europe and its Southern Partners on Agricultural Research and Climate Change which was held on 17 December 2009.

AARINENA conducted SAG initiative on Regional Evidence Generation and Policy and Institutional Mapping on Food and Bio-fuel Study. AARINENA conducted the Regional Evidence Generation and Policy, and Institutional Mapping on Food and Bio-energy study for its five sub-regions. The research investigated evidences generation on food and bio-energy conversion as well as policy and institutional mapping. The major objectives of this research were: a) To assess the status of liquid bio-fuel production and processing in AARINENA Region Countries; b) To identify multiple effects of bio-fuel production ; c) To identify the opportunities and challenges stemming from emerging bio-fuel industry for smallholder producers in ARRINENA Region Countries. All of these will lead to informed policy formulation and an enabled policy environment in respective regions. This will cushion the impact of, or tap opportunities for, smallholder farmers in case of adverse or favorable effects, respectively.

4.5.6 Collaboration with GFAR

AARINENA is a member of the Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR) Steering Committee and GFAR Program Committee, along with other regional fora. In 2009, AARINENA, in cooperation with GFAR conducted, a series of regional consultations including a regional review, e-consultation and face to face workshop for West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region for the preparations of GCARD in 2010. Along with more than 900 delegations from policy makers, governments, national and international agencies, key stakeholders, regional fora, farmers and private sector, AARINENA participated in the first-ever GCARD 2010, held in Montpellier, France during 28-31 March 2010 and organized by GFAR and other partners. AARINENA Retreat for the West Asia and North Africa (WANA) Region was cosponsored by


GFAR to consider post-GCARD1 actions for the WANA region and fleshing out an action framework at national, regional and global level. 4.5.6.1 Highlights of AARINENA participation at GFAR sponsored Meetings - GFAR Steering Committees

GFAR Steering Committee Meeting, Maputo-Mozambique, 26-29 November 2008 GFAR Steering Committee Meeting, Alexandria-Egypt, 13-14 November 2009 The 24th GFAR Steering Committee (SC) Meeting, Brussels-Belgium, 28-29 September,

2010 The 25th GFAR Steering Committee Meeting, Beijing , China, 20 October 2011

- GFAR Program Committees

GFAR Programme Committee Meeting, Maputo-Mozambique, 26 November 2008. GFAR Program Committee Meeting, FAO-Rome, 10-11 November 2010

- AARINENA and GCARD I

AARINENA with support of GFAR organized a series of regional consultations preceded the GCARD 2010.

- AARINENA-GCARD Preparation Meeting, Amman-Jordan, 27 August 2009 - E-Consultation of WANA Region, 2-24 September 2009 - Face-to-Face Workshop Regional Consultations, WANA Region, 10-12 November

2009, Alexandria, Egypt AARINENA at GCARD I : The Global Conference on Agricultural Research for

Development (GCARD): Enhancing Development Impact from Research in Montpellier, France 28-31 March 2010

Post GDARD I: AARINENA Retreat for the WANA Region, Aleppo-Syria, 22-24 November 2010

GCARD2 organizing Committee Meeting, Rome, 21-22 July 2011.

4.5.6.2 Highlights of collaboration with GFAR

- AARINENA Regional Agricultural Information System (RAIS) AARINENA, in co-operation with the GFAR established and developed a Regional Agricultural Information System (RAIS), to increase the effectiveness of the agricultural research in the region, and to increase their abilities to reach the end-user.

AARINENA with the support of GFAR has organized an Expert Consultation meeting on GIS Applications in Agricultural Development in WANA region in Amman Jordan during the period 7 to 8 of June 2011.

AARINENA, in collaboration with FAO, ICARDA, and GFAR organized the Regional Training Workshop on Building National Capacities in Information and Knowledge in support of Agricultural Research for Development in Near East Region from 17-20 May 2009 in Cairo, Egypt.

- Coherence in Information for Agricultural Research for Development (CIARD) AARINENA is a member of the Coherence in Information for Agricultural Research for Development (CIARD) initiative which is working to make agricultural research information publicly available and accessible to all. CIARD was launched on 29 August 2009 at the World Conference on Agricultural Information and IT in Tokyo.

The International Expert Consultation: Building the CIARD Framework for Data and Information Sharing, Beijing- China from 20-23 June 2011

Training of Trainers Workshop on Coherence in Information for Agricultural Research for Development (CIARD), Amman-Jordan, 4-6 October 2011


-Other fields of collaboration with GFAR The Fourth Regular Session of the Governing Body of ITPGRFA, Bali, Indonesia from 14-

18 March 2011 Olive GAP Manual, Good Agricultural Practices for Near East and North Africa Countries

2010 was produced by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Regional Office for the Near East (FAO/RNE) in collaboration with AARINENA, Agriculture Research Institute (ARI) - Cyprus and GFAR.

An introductory course on bioinformatics was held from 23 November – 2 December 2008 at Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research Institute (AGERI), Egypt and was sponsored by AARINENA, GFAR, and AGERI.

AARINENA with support of Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in Sultanate of Oman, the Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR) and Bioversity International (BI) has organized and cosponsored the First Coordinating Board (CB) Meeting of the Near East and North Africa (NENA) Plant Genetic Resources Network (PGRN) took place in Muscat, the Sultanate of Oman from 27-29 June 2011.

4.6 Meetings AARINENA cosponsored and participated in the following meeting during the period 2008-2011:

1. AARINENA Executive Committee held five meetings (Damascus Meeting, 14 October 2008; ICARDA Meeting, 3 May 2009; Alexandria Meeting, 12 November 2009; ICARDA Meeting, 24 November 2010; and Kuwait Meeting, 12-13 September 2011).

2. The Tenth General Assembly Meeting (GAM) APAARI, Japan, 20 October 2008 3. Workshop on methodological innovations in impact assessment of agricultural research

at Brasilia, Brazil from 12 -14 November 2008. 4. An introductory course on bioinformatics, Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research

Institute (AGERI)- Egypt, 23 November – 2 December 2008 5. Consultation Meeting on Establishing a Regional Platform for Handling GM Crops and

Related Commodity Products in the NENA Region, Sudan, 16-17 December 2008 6. The Strategy and Results Framework and Mega Program Development Workshop, (BI)

headquarter- Rome, 17-20 February 2009 7. The ERA-ARD Meeting, Lithuania, 26-27 February 2009 8. The scientific visit to Montpellier, Clermont-Ferrand, Dijon, France, 28 March – 3 April

2009. 9. The fifth Southern Advisory Group (SAG) Meeting, Budapest, 1st of April 2009 10. Regional Training Workshop on Building National Capacities in Information and

Knowledge, Cairo, Egypt, 17-20 May 2009 11. AARINENA-GCARD Preparation Meeting, Amman-Jordan, 27 August 2009 12. E-Consultation of WANA Region, 2-24 September 2009 13. 13th International Conference and Exhibition on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, 3-5

October 2009, Cairo, Egypt 14. The Expert Consultation on Bio-pesticides and Bio-fertilizers for Sustainable

Agriculture, Taichung, 27 to 29 October 2009 15. Face-to-Face Workshop Regional Consultations, WANA Region, 10-12 November 2009,

Alexandria, Egypt 16. The Agriculture and Rural Development Day (ARDD), Copenhagen-Denmark, 12

December 2009 17. The Sixth Meeting of SAG, Brussels-Belgium, 15 December 2009 18. Olive-bioteq 2009: For a Renovated Profitable and Competitive Mediterranean Olive

Growing Sector, 15 - 19 December 2009, Sfax, Tunisia 19. The International Conference on Dialogue between Europe and its Southern Partners on

Agricultural Research and Climate Change, Brussels-Belgium, 17 December 2009. 20. Regional Workshop on Gene Bank Documentation and Management in the Near East and

North Africa Region, Amman-Jordan, 30-31 January 2010


21. International Conference on Food Security and Climate Change in Dry Areas, Amman-Jordan, 1-4 February 2010

22. International Workshop on Fast Growing Economies Role in Global Agriculture for Development, Beijing, 8-10 February 2010.

23. The FAO International Technical Conference on Agricultural Biotechnologies in Developing Countries (ABDC): Options and Opportunities in Crops, Forestry, Livestock, Fisheries and Agro-industry to face the Challenges of Food Insecurity and Climate Change, Guadalajara-Mexico, 1-4 March 2010.

24. Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development (GCARD): Enhancing Development Impact from Research in Montpellier, France from 28-31 March 2010

25. Bioversity Week, Rome, 20-23 May 2010 26. The Advanced Workshop on Regional Capacity Building for GMOs Detection and Bio-

safety for Food and Agriculture 16-17 June 2010, Syria 27. The Fifth Agriculture Science Week and FARA General Assembly, Burkina Faso, 19-24

July 2010 28. The Stakeholders Meeting for MP3 on Dry land Cereals (held from 2-3 August 2010) and

Grain Legumes (held from 6-7 August 2010) in Nairobi, Kenya. 29. The Second MP1.1 Stakeholder Consultative Conference on integrated agricultural

production systems for dry areas, ICARDA-Aleppo, 9-10 August 2010. 30. Workshop to develop CGIAR MP2 on Policies, Institutions, and Markets to Strengthen

Assets and Agricultural Incomes for the Poor, Addis Ababa, 17-19 August 2010. 31. The 28th International Horticulture Congress (IHC2010) of the International Society for

Horticulture Sciences (ISHS), Lisbon-Portugal, 22-27 August 2010 32. The Eleventh General Assembly Meeting (GAM) of APAARI, Suwon- Republic of Korea 12

October 2010 33. APAARI training courses held in Chinese Taipei in October and November 2010 34. Consultation Meeting of the Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) Network, Aleppo- Syria, 4th

of November 2010 35. Post GDARD I: AARINENA Retreat for the WANA Region, Aleppo-Syria, 22-24 November

2010 36. The Agriculture and Rural Development Day (ARDD) 2010, Cancun-Mexico, 4th of

December 2010 37. The Tenth International Conference on Development of Dry lands (IDDC), held from 12-

15 December 2010 in Cairo, Egypt 38. The Fourth Steering Committee Meeting of Inter-regional Network Cotton in the Central

Asia and North Africa (INCANA), 16-18 December 2010, Cairo 39. Consultative Workshop on Knowledge Exchange Management System for Strengthening

Rural Community Development, Cairo-Egypt, 27 – 30 December 2010 40. The Fourth Regular Session of the Governing Body of ITPGRFA, Bali-Indonesia, 14-18

March 2011. 41. International Wheat Stripe Rust Symposium, ICARDA-Aleppo, 18-20 April 2011. 42. The Fifth International Conference on GM Foods, Amman– Jordan, 6-7 June 2011 43. Expert Consultation Meeting on GIS Applications in Agricultural Development in WANA

Region, 7-8 June 2011, Amman-Jordan 44. The International Expert Consultation: Building the CIARD Framework for Data and

Information Sharing held in Beijing- China from 20-23 June 2011. 45. The First Coordinating Board (CB) Meeting of the Near East and North Africa (NENA)

Plant Genetic Resources Network (PGRN), Muscat- the Sultanate of Oman, 27-29 June 2011

46. The Dry Land Systems Regional Planning Working Meeting, Nairobi- Kenya, 27-30 June 2011.

47. The Fifth CGIAR Fund Council Meeting, Word Bank-Washington, DC, 6-8 July 2011 48. GCARD2 organizing Committee Meeting, 21-22 July 2011, Rome 49. Joint ECPGR and NENA PGR Workshop on the implementation of the International

Treaty of PGRFA, Menemen, Turkey, 28-29 September 2011


50. Training of Trainers Workshop on Coherence in Information for Agricultural Research for Development (CIARD), Amman – Jordan, 4-6 October 2011.

4.7 Publications

4.7.1 Newsletter

Seventh issues from AARINENA biannual Newsletter during the period 2008-2011 were published and distributed to all members, research institutions, and faculties of agriculture at universities in the region.

Vol.16- No.2; February 2009 Vol.17- No.1; August 2009 Vol.17- No.2; February 2010 Vol.18- No.1; August 2010 Vol.18- No.2; February 2011 and Vol.19- No.1; August 2011

4.7.2 Proceedings of Meetings, Workshops, Training Courses and Expert Consultations Meetings

Proceedings of the 11th General Conference of AARINENA, Damascus-Syria, 12-14 October 2009.

Synthesis Report: The Regional Reviews towards the Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development (GCARD) in WANA region, November 2009

Bio-fuel Production, Policy, Institutional Mapping and their Impacts on Food and Environment in WANA region, February 2010

Olive GAP Manual, Good Agricultural Practices for NENA Countries 2010. The GCARD Process in West Asia and North Africa, Final Synthesis, March 2010 Proceedings of AARINENA Retreat to Consider Post-GCRAD Actions for West Asia and

North Africa ( WANA) Region, ICARDA-Aleppo, Syria, 22-24 November 2010. Proceedings of AARINENA Expert Consultation Meeting for establishment of Water Use

efficiency Network, ICARAD-Aleppo, Syria Proceedings of the International Wheat Stripe Rust Symposium held at ICARDA

Headquarters, Aleppo, Syria from 18-20 April 2011. Furthermore, proceedings of events cosponsored and participated by AARINENA were distributed and posted on AARINENA Home Page, including: - AARINENA 11th General Conference, Damascus-Syria, 12-14 October 2008. - Executive Committee meetings

Damascus-Syria Meeting, 14 October 2008 ICARDA-Aleppo Meeting, 3 May 2009 Alexandria-Egypt Meeting, 12 November 2009 ICARDA-Aleppo Meeting, 24 November 2010 Kuwait City-Kuwait Meeting, 12-13 September 2011

- Conferences and meetings (listed above) - Workshops and seminars (listed above) and - Training courses (listed above).


5. FUTURE ACTIVITIES (2011-2012)

5.1 Advocacy

5.1.1 Support to AARINENA 12th General Conference addressing priority thematic actions as elaborated by AARINENA Stakeholders in GCARD retreat Aleppo 2010 Output: Increased coherence among member countries on at least 3 follow-on GCARD priority themes, with solid commitments and follow-up actions agreed among diverse regional stakeholders.

5.1.2 Monitoring of regional investments and capacities in collaboration with ASTI/IFPRI to update ASTI baseline data (In prepress for 5 countries) 5.1.3 Regional Stakeholder participation in Science Forum foresight session to be held in

Peking (October 2011 5.1.4 Support for AARINENA Secretariat for the preparation to GCARD 2012 (Administrative

Assistant) 5.2 Strengthening Stakeholder capacities & Gender issues

5.2.1 Development of WANA Farmers and NGOs Forum (Planned in Cairo, December 2011) Output: Farmer organizations identified and mobilized across the WANA region and linked to national, regional and international research, with their inputs increasingly sought in participatory research planning and implementation processes addressing at least 3 key themes from the GCARD regional consultation

5.2.2 Identifying regional and national needs Women in AR4D in WANA

Output: Policy paper developed across countries of WANA region as to capacity development and specific training needs to advance the role of women in agricultural research, innovation and knowledge transfer. Mechanisms and enabling factors required for this to be made possible articulated through learning from experiences of trainees in ICARDA and awareness raised in the region of new approaches used in other regions.

5.3 Inter-regional partnership and action

5.3.1 International Conference on “adaptation of climate change for the WANA region” in collaboration with WMO, ICARDA, FAO, GFAR, EU and the Ohio State University.

Output: framework of agricultural research needs related to climate change adaptation produced for the WANA region through active involvement of a diverse range of public, private and civil stakeholders. Framework summarized and made available as investable proposition.

5.3.2 International Wheat Stripe Rust Symposium supported in collaboration with ICARDA,

FAO, CIMMYT, and BGRI Outputs: The International Conference on Yellow rust will provide information to farmers on

yellow rust resistant varieties available in major wheat growing countries in the region. Also, farmers will be advised on measures to be taken to control the outbreak of the yellow rust disease. Participation of farmer’s associations from Egypt, Syria, and Jordan in the symposium.

5.3.3 Collaborative workshop with ECPGR for the implementation of the International Treaty on PGR for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA)

Outputs: 3 national nodes in AARINENA PGR network enabled to take part in meeting of ITPGRFA Governing Body and create investment plan for regional actions related to sustainable use of agrobiodiversity.

5.4 ICM4ARD/CIARD/Agricultural Knowledge for all

5.4.1 CIARD Training of Trainers Workshop and AARINENA.RAIS SCM Output: ICM practitioners from across the region mobilized and share knowledge on opportunities and applications for ICT-KM. Mechanisms identified and promoted by which information systems can better deliver against end-user/farmer demands in the region.

5.4.2 Status Report on ICM in WANA Region


Output: consultant report details current extent of ICM actions in national research systems across the region

5.4.3 Expert Consultation meeting on GIS Application in WANA (June 2011, Amman- Jordan) 5.4.4 Training for use of biotechnology website in collaboration with FAO (Planned in Cairo,

December 2011) 5.5 Publications

5.5.1 Publication of Olive Book in collaboration with ISHS 5.5.2 Publication of success stories 5.5.3 Bi-annual newsletter

5.6 Preparation for GCARD 2

5.6.1 Electronic and F2F meetings 5.6.2 Selection of AARINENA Delegation to participate in GCARD 2012 in November 2012 in

Uruguay.

6. Conclusions

AARINENA in collaboration with its partners continued fostering agricultural research and development, strengthening regional partnerships in a consortium mode, further contributed to sharing and exchanging of knowledge and technology, and fostering mutual learning and innovation, as well as took advantage actions by initiating generic modules and functional mechanisms such as commodity and technical networks and Regional Agricultural Information System (RAIS). Enormous thematic conferences, symposiums, workshops and training courses had been organized regionally. AARINENA efforts during the period 2008-2011 had a greater voice in the agricultural research agenda of the region. AARINENA- RAIS activities continued increasing the effectiveness of the agricultural research in the region, and increasing their abilities to reach the end-user. The RAIS now serves as an information repository and exchange mechanism at the regional level, aiming to strengthen, co-ordinate, and add value to initiatives by national programmes and those coordinated by regional and international organizations. ICT as an essential component for agricultural development through the enhancement of information and communication technology was put as an urgent priority for AARINENA. The new AARINENA Website is officially online (http://www.aarinena.org) with the high content management capacity. AARINENA and GCARD is an entire success story. In cooperation with GFAR, AARINENA conducted a series of regional consultations including a regional review, e-consultation and face-to-face workshop for West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region for the preparations of GCARD in 2010. At GCRAD 2010, AARINENA presented the WANA region focus and concluded with brief key-messages from the region on priorities and focus, finance for ARD, capacity building, collaboration and partnerships, policy and scaling up. At AARINENA retreat, November 2010, AARINENA offered an opportunity to its key partners and stakeholders to take stock of GCARD1 road map and to develop follow-up actions at national, regional and global levels. The retreat reinforced a clear call to strengthen regional collaboration, regional resources and knowledge sharing to tackle challenges in AR4D. As a Regional Association, AARINENA had important benchmarks in research prioritization and impact assessment related activities carried out in close collaboration with its stakeholders. The Association also continued contributing in the collective actions regionally to meet emerging challenges to agricultural development. AARINENA has been consistently striving to enhance its membership and to this effect has approached several institutions, centers, universities, and NARS to enroll as new AARINENA members. AARINENA has also contributed establishing seven Regional and Inter-regional networks for essential crops in the region; date palm, cotton, olive, medicinal and aromatic plants, water use efficiency, agricultural biotechnology and plant genetic resources. When the resources are

http://www.aarinena.org/


limited, networks become more effective means for the optimal utilization of indigenous expertise and available resources among the countries themselves. One major objective of AARINENA is to strengthen cross-linkages between national, regional and international research centers and organizations, including universities, through involvement in jointly planned research and training programmes. Strengthening partnerships and cross-linkages promoted with ICARDA, BI, UNFCCC, APAARI, FARA, and SAG. The expectations on AARINENA as a regional forum were very high; there is a need to formulate these expectations in a few specific priority actions that could be started with over the coming 1-2 years. AARINENA could establish closer links with other regional organizations. The organizational change process of AARINENA was proposed to be discussed in more detail in the 12th General Conference of AARINENA during 16-17 November 2011 in Kuwait.


Annex I: AARINENA Members by 2011 Member Country Institutions

Agriculture Production Research Center- Ministry of Agriculture (Oman) ARC- Agricultural Research Center (Egypt) ARC- Agricultural Research Center (Libya) ARC- Agricultural Research Center (Sudan) Agricultural Research (Turkey) AREA- Agricultural Research and Extension Authority (Yemen) AREEO- Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (Iran) GCSAR- General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (Syria) INRA- de L’Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (Morocco) Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique d’Algérie (Algeria) IRESA- l'Institution de la Recherche et de l'Enseignement Supérieur Agricoles (Tunisia) King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) KISR- Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (Kuwait) LARI- Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute (Lebanon) Ministry of Environment and Water (United Arab Emirates) Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture (Qatar) NARC- National Agricultural Research Center (Palestine) NCARE- National Center for Agricultural Research and Extension (Jordan) PAAF- Public Authority for Agriculture and Fisheries (Kuwait) State Board for Agricultural Research (Iraq) UoJ- University of Jordan, Faculty of Agriculture (Jordan) UoJ- University of Jordan, Institute of Agricultural Research, Training, Extension and

Education – IARTEE (Jordan). Member Organizations and Co-sponsors ACSAD- Arab Center for Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands AOAD- Arab Organization for Agricultural Development BI- Biodiversity International FAO/RNE- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations/ Regional Office for

the Near East GFAR- Global Forum on Agricultural Research ICARDA- International Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas ICBA- International Center for Bio-saline Agriculture IFPRI- International Food Policy Research Institute Farmers, NGOs and Private Sector CENTECH –Private Sector, Egypt Egyptian Association for Supporting Olive Growers (EASOG), Cairo-Egypt Farmers' House (Shahid Hossein Pour), Islamic Republic of Iran Farmers' organization- Tunisia Green Line, A Scientific Association for Conservation – Lebanon Nile Sun Enterprises, Private Sector, Sudan Union Tunisien de l'agriculture et de la Pêche (UTAP) / Tunisia Yemeni Association for Sustainable Agriculture Development, Yemen Reciprocal Members APAARI- Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions ASPP- Arab Society for Plant Protection CACAARI- Central Asia and Caucasus Association of Agricultural Research Institutions FARA- Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa FORAGRO- Regional Forum of Agricultural Research in Latin America and Caribbean


Annex II: AARINENA Regional Agricultural Information Systems – Information and Communication Systems (RAIS-ICM) Focal Units

Agricultural Inforamation Center, Qatar Agricultural research Center- ARC, Sudan Agricultural research Center- ARC-Libya Agricultural Research Corporation, Sudan AREA- Agricultural Research & Extension Authority (Yemen) AREEO- Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (Iran) ARI- Agricultural Research Institute (Cyprus) ASIDC- Agricultural Scientific Information & Documentation Center (Iran) CLAES- ARC- Agricultural Research Center (Egypt) GCSAR- General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (Syria) INRA- de L’Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (Morocco) IRESA, - Institution de la Recherche et de l'Enseignement Supérieur Agricoles (Tunisia) LARI- Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute (Lebanon) Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries, Oman

NCARE- National Center for Agricultural Research and Extension (Jordan)


Annex III: AARINENA Networks

Network Coordinator Location Regional Olive Network

Dr. Dalenda Boujnah

Tunisia

Date Palm Global Network Prof. Dr. Abdelouahhab Zaid

UAE University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

Regional Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Network

Dr. Musa Fayyad

NCARE, Jordan

Inter-regional Cotton Network

Mrs. Asiel Gharedaghli Cotton Research Institute, Iran

Regional Water Use Efficiency Network

Dr. Bahri Abdeljabbar

INRA, Morocco

Regional Biotechnology Network

Prof. Dr. Osama Mumtaz

AGERI, Egypt

Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) Network

Dr. Eltahir Ibrahim ARC, Sudan

association of agricultural research institutions … · association of agricultural research...

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