Dr. Sami Reda Saber Sabry, Project National Consultant. First National Meeting to Enhance Ownership of National Strategy for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture 2 April 2014 -Cairo, Egypt. © FAO: http://www.fao.org

1. Optimizing the Use of Plant Genetic resources for FoodOptimizing the Use of Plant Genetic resources for Food
and Agriculture for Adaptation to Climate Changeand Agriculture for Adaptation to Climate Change
TCP/SNO/3401TCP/SNO/3401
Egypt National Strategy for PGRFAEgypt National Strategy for PGRFA
Dr. Sami Reda Saber SabryDr. Sami Reda Saber Sabry
Project National ConsultantProject National Consultant
First National Meeting to Enhance Ownership of NationalFirst National Meeting to Enhance Ownership of National
Strategy for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and AgricultureStrategy for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
2 April 2014 -Cairo, Egypt2 April 2014 -Cairo, Egypt

2. Vision:
To contribute to the overall development of agriculture
and food security with the aim of improving the
livelihood of Egypt farmers by promoting policies
and viable programs for the conservation and the
enhanced use of plant genetic resources.
Mission:
To conserve and safeguard biodiversity in general and
plant and genetic resources for food and agriculture
in particular with the aim of enhancing their
contribution to national agrialtural development,
food security and well being of Egypt people.

3. Goal:Goal:
The major goal of the strategy is the conservationThe major goal of the strategy is the conservation
and sustainable utilization of plant geneticand sustainable utilization of plant genetic
diversity in the country through promotingdiversity in the country through promoting
concerted coordinated efforts at the nationalconcerted coordinated efforts at the national
level for efficient and effectivelevel for efficient and effective ex situex situ as well asas well as inin
situsitu conservation for prime importance crops.conservation for prime importance crops.
The strategy aims at facilitating partnership andThe strategy aims at facilitating partnership and
sharing facilities and responsibilities to establishsharing facilities and responsibilities to establish
regional coordination mechanisms for advancingregional coordination mechanisms for advancing
the long – term regional strategy.the long – term regional strategy.

4. Main ObjectiveMain Objective
The main objective of the Strategy is to promoteThe main objective of the Strategy is to promote
the development of an effective and efficient systemthe development of an effective and efficient system
for the conservation of important crop diversity infor the conservation of important crop diversity in
Egypt and to facilitate its sustainable use. Much ofEgypt and to facilitate its sustainable use. Much of
the success in achieving the main objective of thethe success in achieving the main objective of the
Strategy hinges on having reasonable functionalStrategy hinges on having reasonable functional
links between the relevant national institutions, aslinks between the relevant national institutions, as
well as on forming a suitable mutually acceptedwell as on forming a suitable mutually accepted
arrangement for regional collaboration andarrangement for regional collaboration and
exchange of experience and knowledge among theexchange of experience and knowledge among the
countries of the region.countries of the region.

5. ContCont..
Strong national programs are the building blocksStrong national programs are the building blocks
of an effective regional collaboration link throughof an effective regional collaboration link through
functional broadly based national PGRFAfunctional broadly based national PGRFA
programmes that would operate as facilitating andprogrammes that would operate as facilitating and
coordinating platforms.coordinating platforms.

6. Specific ObjectivesSpecific Objectives
More specifically the strategy aims at :More specifically the strategy aims at :
1- Building strong national programm that is well1- Building strong national programm that is well
coordinated’coordinated’
2- Enhancing the knowledge base about the genetic2- Enhancing the knowledge base about the genetic
diversity of the PGR in the country and the region,diversity of the PGR in the country and the region,
andand
3- To promote individual national efforts to conserve3- To promote individual national efforts to conserve
the genetic diversity of species of national, regionalthe genetic diversity of species of national, regional
and global importance through:and global importance through:

7. a.a. Conduct collecting missions at national levelConduct collecting missions at national level
based on gap analysis for enriching thebased on gap analysis for enriching the ex situex situ
collections and cooperation on evaluation ofcollections and cooperation on evaluation of
germplasm base on national and regionalgermplasm base on national and regional
requirment.requirment.
b.b. Conduct research efforts on aspects related toConduct research efforts on aspects related to
defining biodiversity hot spots fordefining biodiversity hot spots for in situin situ
conservation , management of PGR and climateconservation , management of PGR and climate
change impact.change impact.
c.c. Establishing network of protected areasEstablishing network of protected areas
representing different ecosystems.representing different ecosystems.

8. d.d. Exchange of information, experience andExchange of information, experience and
germplasm.;germplasm.;
e.e. Safety duplication ofSafety duplication of ex situex situ conserved PGR;conserved PGR;
f.f. Regular comprehensive assessment of geneticRegular comprehensive assessment of genetic
resources conservation programmes;resources conservation programmes;

9. g.g. Assess the status and threats to target species, andAssess the status and threats to target species, and
establish a system for the monitoring of geneticestablish a system for the monitoring of genetic
diversity in the long term;diversity in the long term;
h.h. Evaluation of PGR accession of importance to theEvaluation of PGR accession of importance to the
region to facilitate access and benefit sharing;region to facilitate access and benefit sharing;
i.i. Cooperation on safe movement of germplasm andCooperation on safe movement of germplasm and
prevention of distribution of quarantined pests andprevention of distribution of quarantined pests and
diseases.diseases.

10. 4. Strengthen information management and sharing
including the development of a regional genetic
resources information management system, adoption of
GRIN-Global and GENESYS,
5. Encourage exchange of experiences and build
capacity through the organization of national and
regional courses and workshops,
6. Develop knowledge and expertise to facilitate the
development of harmonized GR strategies and GR
policies and legislations
7. Promote use of existing documentation on indigenous
knowledge.

11. Output
The main proposed outputs of the Strategy are:
1. Effective conservation, sustainable use and
valorisation of agrobiodiversity
2. Capacities strengthened and partnerships enhanced
3.Appropriate policies and regulatory frameworks
developed
4.Awareness raised
5.Appropriate mechanism for regional exchange of
PGR information

12. Actions to Strengthen the National Program
a. Egypt should formulate a national strategy and action
plan on PGRFA, particularly for the implementation of
the GPA according to the national needs and that this
plan should be in harmony with national biodiversity
strategy and action plans,
b. National PGRFA plans and strategies should also be
integrated in Egypt national development and
agricultural sector plans.

13. c. Egypt should have a National Plant Genetic Resources
(PGR) Committee, or similar coordinating
mechanisms involving all concerned parties across
ministries and other governmental authorities. The
committee should have a clear mandate, based on well
defined terms of reference and should hold regular
meetings .
d. There should be a well-defined implementing agency
for coordination of national PGRFA conservation and
use activities with adequate authority and a sustainable
budget provision;

14. e.e. PGR units or facilities should be improved wherePGR units or facilities should be improved where
required to meet national needs and internationalrequired to meet national needs and international
agreed standards. They should have clearagreed standards. They should have clear
responsibilities, and be coordinated with otherresponsibilities, and be coordinated with other
parts of the national program, as well asparts of the national program, as well as
sustainable budgets that reflect thesesustainable budgets that reflect these
responsibilities;responsibilities;
f.f. Developing appropriate national legislation onDeveloping appropriate national legislation on
PGR .PGR .

15. g.g. Strengthening human resources development toStrengthening human resources development to
improve availability of qualified staff, throughimprove availability of qualified staff, through
training programs and use of experts from thetraining programs and use of experts from the
region and international organizations workingregion and international organizations working
on PGR conservation and use; andon PGR conservation and use; and
h.h. Egypt national program requires secure andEgypt national program requires secure and
sustainable finance, drawing upon national and,sustainable finance, drawing upon national and,
where applicable and possible on internationalwhere applicable and possible on international
sources.sources.

16. Coordination at the National Level
 Efficient germplasm maintenance and use require
active interaction among a multidisciplinary team
of scientists, including genebank curators, plant
biologists, plant breeders, socio-economists and
users as well as among specialized research
institutes that deal with different aspects of PGR
conservation and utilization.

17. Lack of coordination between different nationalLack of coordination between different national
institutions dealing with plant genetic resourcesinstitutions dealing with plant genetic resources
activities is a major impediment to PGR programactivities is a major impediment to PGR program
development and could lead to dispersal ofdevelopment and could lead to dispersal of
resources and undermines the effectiveness toresources and undermines the effectiveness to
collaborate at the regional level.collaborate at the regional level.

18. Capacity – building and UpgradingCapacity – building and Upgrading
RequirementsRequirements
 Egypt national capacities, infrastructure andEgypt national capacities, infrastructure and
facilities require much upgrading and building.facilities require much upgrading and building.
Human resources capacities require developmentHuman resources capacities require development
by education and training programs in areasby education and training programs in areas
related to PGR in general andrelated to PGR in general and ex situex situ activities inactivities in
particular.particular.

19. Area in need for upgrading or capacity buildingArea in need for upgrading or capacity building
AAreas for overall capacity building andreas for overall capacity building and
upgradingupgrading::
a.a. Germplasm management/documentationGermplasm management/documentation
SystemsSystems
b.b. Maintaining Infrastructures and FacilitiesMaintaining Infrastructures and Facilities
c.c. Maximizing utilizationMaximizing utilization
d.d. Increasing public awarenessIncreasing public awareness
e.e. Developing enabling policies and legislationsDeveloping enabling policies and legislations
f.f. Enhancing technical and research capabilitiesEnhancing technical and research capabilities

20. Areas for training and education:
a. Strengthening in-country/on the job
courses/training,
b. Short, medium, long-term plans for training .
c. Sub-region and regional training organized by
the more advanced national systems and
outside institutions with relevant expertise,
d. Coordinated country needs
assessment/inventory, commitment and
program approach and maintenance of skills.

21. Areas for upgrading management systemsAreas for upgrading management systems::
a.a. Development of common information platforms forDevelopment of common information platforms for
sharing such as common descriptors, data standards,sharing such as common descriptors, data standards,
protocols on conservation such as genebankprotocols on conservation such as genebank
management systems, performance monitoring, qualitymanagement systems, performance monitoring, quality
management and good practices;management and good practices;
b.b. Harmonization of regulations especially on facilitatingHarmonization of regulations especially on facilitating
PGR exchanges;PGR exchanges;
c.c. Management of germplasm health;Management of germplasm health;
d.d. Biotechnology laboratory skills;Biotechnology laboratory skills;
e.e. Databases management;Databases management;
f.f. Strengthening links with users through increasedStrengthening links with users through increased
availability and accessibility of information on theavailability and accessibility of information on the
collections.collections.

22. Areas for upgrading infrastructures andAreas for upgrading infrastructures and
facilities:facilities:
a.a. Support to field genebanks for crops and regionalSupport to field genebanks for crops and regional
collaboration for sharing responsibilities,collaboration for sharing responsibilities,
b.b. Arrangements for safety duplication of accessionsArrangements for safety duplication of accessions
and information within/or outside the countriesand information within/or outside the countries..

23. Coordination between Egypt and other WANA
countries
In 1989 west Asia and North Africa Network
(WANANET) was established to promote
collaboration among countries of the region
including Egypt.
Initially, the network played an important role in
strengthening the national programs by
reinforcing the role the national PGR committees,
encouraging coordination between different
institutions within each country and among
countries.

24. Cont.
- The inability of the network to be self-sustained
and failure to implement its recommendations
are among the reasons for its ineffectiveness
and eventual failure.
- Egypt should support the active participation of
public and national institution in regional, crop
and thematic networks.
- The funding constraints require sustainable
and innovative solutions to establish networks
based on common benefits.

25. Areas of Possible Regional CollaborationAreas of Possible Regional Collaboration
between Egypt and other WANA Countriesbetween Egypt and other WANA Countries
- Based on comparative advantage, willingness toBased on comparative advantage, willingness to
collaborate, and commitment to the regionalcollaborate, and commitment to the regional
strategy, countries should discuss collaborationstrategy, countries should discuss collaboration
on well-identified and focused activities.on well-identified and focused activities.
- There are some broad areas for regionalThere are some broad areas for regional
collaboration but are national responsibilities incollaboration but are national responsibilities in
the first place.the first place.

26. Cont.
- Some countries are more advanced in one or
more of these areas and could lead efforts to
share their experience.
- Egypt and other countries of the region have to
agree on prioritizing their activities within each
area to ensure focus on the most urgent needs.

27. The following are the areas of possibleThe following are the areas of possible
regional collaborationregional collaboration
1.1. Germplasm ManagementGermplasm Management
2.2. Germplasm ConservationGermplasm Conservation
3.3. Germplasm MovementGermplasm Movement
4.4. Capacity Building / KnowledgeCapacity Building / Knowledge
5.5. Joint Research Projects and VenturesJoint Research Projects and Ventures

28. Collaboration with Regional/InternationalCollaboration with Regional/International
OrganizationOrganization
1.1. Egypt and other countries have the primaryEgypt and other countries have the primary
responsibilities to conserve the plant geneticresponsibilities to conserve the plant genetic
resources that exist within their boundaries andresources that exist within their boundaries and
accordingly invest sufficiently in their conservationaccordingly invest sufficiently in their conservation
and utilization.and utilization.
2.2. There is need for external assistance with theseThere is need for external assistance with these
responsibilities by regional and internationalresponsibilities by regional and international
organizations that have traditionally played thisorganizations that have traditionally played this
role in the past.role in the past.

29. 3.3. NENA-PGRN should join efforts with national,NENA-PGRN should join efforts with national,
regional and international organizations to contributeregional and international organizations to contribute
to the development of the Global System on Geneticto the development of the Global System on Genetic
Resources led by the FAO-Commission on GeneticResources led by the FAO-Commission on Genetic
Resources for Food and AgricultureResources for Food and Agriculture
4.4. Among the organizations that supported PGR andAmong the organizations that supported PGR and
related activities in the region are the CG centresrelated activities in the region are the CG centres
(particularly Bioversity International, ICARDA,(particularly Bioversity International, ICARDA,
CIMMYT, ICRISAT, CIP, IRRI), GFAR, ACSAD,CIMMYT, ICRISAT, CIP, IRRI), GFAR, ACSAD,
GEF, UNDP, UNEP, FAO, JAICA, USAID, IDRC,GEF, UNDP, UNEP, FAO, JAICA, USAID, IDRC,
IFAD, IDB, AFSED, ICUC, CIHEAM, OPEC, GlobalIFAD, IDB, AFSED, ICUC, CIHEAM, OPEC, Global
Crop Diversity Trust and several others.Crop Diversity Trust and several others.

30.  It is important for NENA-PGRN to attract theIt is important for NENA-PGRN to attract the
support of the previous organizations and othersupport of the previous organizations and other
sponsors especially from outside the region.sponsors especially from outside the region.
 A number of PGR networks are operational inA number of PGR networks are operational in
regions neighboring NENA region in Africa, Asia andregions neighboring NENA region in Africa, Asia and
Europe, where different PGR, interests and concernsEurope, where different PGR, interests and concerns
are shared.are shared.
 Strengthening the inter-regional cooperation with
these networks on related aspects of common interest
should be one of the concerns of NENA PGRN that
can help in attaining its objectives.

31. Thank you