Establishment of Regional Plant Establishment of Regional Plant Genetic Resources Network Genetic Resources Network

(PGRN) in the WANA Region (PGRN) in the WANA Region

1111thth General Conference of AARINENA General Conference of AARINENA12-14 October 2008, Damascus-Syria12-14 October 2008, Damascus-Syria

Dr. George AyadDr. George AyadBioversity-CWANABioversity-CWANA

PGR provide the basis for the genetic improvement of food commodities and other crops essential for food security and people’s livelihoods world wide. WANA region is relatively rich in plant diversity. It has two centres of origin: Mediterranean and the Near Eastern of more than 150 cultivated plant species, e.g. wheat, barley, lentil, forage species and many fruit trees.

Introduction:Introduction:

These species are feeding over 38% of the world’s population. Wheat alone accounts for about one-third of global food production.

PGR programmes in the WANA Region are at different stages of development, depending on country size, resources and on government policy.

Regional Conservation Strategy for WANA was developed in June 2006 including a recommendation to establish a PGR Network under AARINENA since its success hinges on strengthening coordination within and among countries of the region.

Introduction Introduction (Cont.)(Cont.)::

DescriptionDescriptionThe regional network will be comprised initially of member countries in the WANA region. other stakeholders may also join the network as members.

Proposed Regional Network on Plant Proposed Regional Network on Plant Genetic Resources in WANAGenetic Resources in WANA

Conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA in keeping with the FAO/IT.

• Develop and execute long-term regional strategies and frameworks for action for ex situ conservation and use.

• Promote inter-regional cooperation on PGRFA.

• Strengthen the region’s contribution to global PGRFA

• Raise public awareness on the importance of PGRFA.

Objectives:Objectives:

1. Create awareness at various policymaking and technical levels within member countries on the importance of the development of plant genetics resources;

2. Regularly review and update the Regional Strategy;

3. Promote the exchange of PGR scientific and technical experience and information;

More specifically the network will:More specifically the network will:

4. Strengthen national PGR research capacities for providing timely and necessary data and information to policy-makers;

5. Formulate projects and seek funding for their implementation.

1. Strengthening the capacities of specialized national institutions;

2. Organize workshops, information dissemination activities to stimulate the exchange of experiences among scientists;

3. Organize several activities to bridge the gap between research and development; and;

4. Foster cooperation among participating countries.

Expected outputs:Expected outputs:

Network Composition:Network Composition:

““Regional Plant Genetic Regional Plant Genetic Resources NetworkResources Network””

Coordinating Board of the NetworkCoordinating Board of the Network

SecretariatSecretariat

FF FFFFFF FFFF 22 3311

Regional States Regional States LevelLevel

NGOsNGOs

Research Research InstitutionsInstitutions

UniversitiesUniversities

Private SectorPrivate Sector

FFFocal PointFocal Point

WG2WG2

WG1WG1

4

WG4WG4

WG3WG3

1- Coordinating Board:1- Coordinating Board:IIncludes members from the participating countries representing the institutions identified as the focal points.The CB will meet annually and will be hosted by the institution, which the chairman represents. The CB may form Technical Advisory Committees and ad-hoc committees to study and follow up on certain technical matters and specific tasks, or attend to some specific issues.

Network Composition:Network Composition:

1.1. Plan, coordinate and follow‑up research, Plan, coordinate and follow‑up research, training and other work programs.training and other work programs.

2.2. Review and approve the annual budget as well Review and approve the annual budget as well as the work programs of the sub‑networks.as the work programs of the sub‑networks.

3.3. Fund raise from private donors and others. Fund raise from private donors and others.

4.4. Facilitate communication among the focal Facilitate communication among the focal points, working groups and the Regional PGR points, working groups and the Regional PGR Network.Network.

5.5. Advise on PGR policy matters.Advise on PGR policy matters.

Functions of the Coordinating Board:Functions of the Coordinating Board:

2- The Secretariat:2- The Secretariat:

The PGR Network will be located at the approved institution/country.

The host country shall provide all necessary facilities and operational logistics to enable the secretariat to implement the work plan.

PGR network will be coordinated by a Secretariat consisting of a full time Secretary assisted by staff to carry out the functions of the Network.

1. The location of the institution should be centralized in the Region as much as possible to ensure easy communication, transportation and contact.

2. The host country should be accessible to all other member countries through the granting of visas and internal travel.

3. The institution should provide adequate physical facilities and technical competence needed for the smooth operation of the Network.

Criteria for the location of the SecretariatCriteria for the location of the Secretariat

1.1. Preparation and follow‑up of work Preparation and follow‑up of work programs (research, training, workshops, programs (research, training, workshops, conferences, etc) and budgets approved by conferences, etc) and budgets approved by the Coordinating Board.the Coordinating Board.

2.2. Preparation of the annual budget in co-Preparation of the annual budget in co-ordination with the working groups in the ordination with the working groups in the different countries.different countries.

3.3. Preparation of evaluation criteria for the Preparation of evaluation criteria for the assessment of the performance and assessment of the performance and efficiency of the network.efficiency of the network.

Functions of the Secretariat (Examples):Functions of the Secretariat (Examples):

3- The Focal Points:3- The Focal Points:

Institutions, identified as focal points in member countries, may be either universities, research institutions or other competent, well established and renowned institutions depending on the set up and organizational structure in each of the countries in the region.

1.1. Preparation and follow‑up of work Preparation and follow‑up of work programs (research, training, workshops, programs (research, training, workshops, conferences, etc) and budgets approved by conferences, etc) and budgets approved by the Coordinating Board.the Coordinating Board.

2.2. Preparation of the annual budget in co-Preparation of the annual budget in co-ordination with the working groups in the ordination with the working groups in the different countriesdifferent countries..

3.3. Preparation of evaluation criteria for the Preparation of evaluation criteria for the assessment of the performance and assessment of the performance and efficiency of the network. efficiency of the network.

Functions of the Focal Points (Examples):Functions of the Focal Points (Examples):

4- Technical Working Groups:4- Technical Working Groups:The working groups are located in the centers of excellence institutions and will be selected at this meeting based on discussion of the priorities.The host institution of the working group would provide local facilities and expenses, but funds for regional programs and research activities, training and collection and dissemination of information would be sought from national and/or multilateral sources including cost sharing.

4- Technical Working Groups 4- Technical Working Groups (Cont.)(Cont.):

1.1. Germplasm ManagementGermplasm Management• Regeneration / multiplication• Characterization and evaluation • Documentation

• Utilization of genetic resources

2.2. Storage/Field FacilitiesStorage/Field Facilities• Storage/Field Facilities• Seed Storage • Field genebanks• In vitro Conservation• Multi-location evaluation of germplasm

2.2. Germplasm MovementGermplasm Movement• Safety duplication• Health / safe and movement

• Exchange and distribution of material

Capacity building and formulation joint research projects are functions of the above.

1.1. Collection and dissemination of information Collection and dissemination of information including literature, research and development including literature, research and development results, patents consultancy services, institutional results, patents consultancy services, institutional news, technologies, and annual reports.news, technologies, and annual reports.

2.2. Planning and implementation of the approved Planning and implementation of the approved training programs, seminars and workshops.training programs, seminars and workshops.

3.3. Planning and coordination of research and Planning and coordination of research and development programs in cooperation with other development programs in cooperation with other member institu tions.member institu tions.

4.4. Provision of technical assistance to various national Provision of technical assistance to various national institutions.institutions.

Functions of the Working Groups:Functions of the Working Groups:

The long-term objective of the network is to The long-term objective of the network is to gradually become self-supporting and gradually become self-supporting and assume more of its own expenses. assume more of its own expenses.

At the initial stages, external inputs and At the initial stages, external inputs and technical backstopping by BI, FAO and technical backstopping by BI, FAO and ICARDA are essential. Contributions by ICARDA are essential. Contributions by various governments will be determined by various governments will be determined by the Co-coordinating Board in consultation the Co-coordinating Board in consultation with AARINENA.with AARINENA.

Financial Requirements:Financial Requirements:

Other potential sources for funding:Other potential sources for funding:

• Consultation fees when services of the expertise Consultation fees when services of the expertise are utilized by any of the countries. A certain are utilized by any of the countries. A certain percent (about 25-35%) of the consultancy cost is percent (about 25-35%) of the consultancy cost is retained by the network as an overhead.retained by the network as an overhead.

• Overhead cost for coordinating regional projects.Overhead cost for coordinating regional projects.• Revenues from sale of developed promotional Revenues from sale of developed promotional

material, posters, standards and publications.material, posters, standards and publications.• Revenues from advertisement on the web site of Revenues from advertisement on the web site of

the PGR Network by the private sector and other the PGR Network by the private sector and other concerned groups.concerned groups.

• Donations and funds from national, regional and Donations and funds from national, regional and international organizations as well as the private international organizations as well as the private sector.sector.

1. Endorsement of the proposal to establish a PGR Network in WANA.

2. Consideration and approval of offers to host the secretariat.

3. Selection of network coordinator, focal points and technical working groups.

4. Drafting work plan for the new network 2009-2010.

Decisions needed:Decisions needed:

Thank You