This document provides an activity report for AARINENA (The Arab Network for Agriculture Research and Development) for 2007-2008. It summarizes AARINENA's mission, work plan, progress on key initiatives like the Regional Agricultural Information System and technical networks, and planned future activities. Key accomplishments include strengthening the AARINENA website and networks in areas like date palm, cotton, and biotechnology. Inter-regional collaboration with organizations like FARA, APAARI, and ERA-ARD was also discussed.

1. AARINENA Activity Report 2007/2008 Ahmed Al-Bakri Ibrahim Hamdan AARINENA 11th General Conference Damascus-Syria , 12-14 October 2008

2. AARINENA MISSION To contribute to the enhancement of agricultural and rural development in the WANA region through fostering agricultural research and technology development. To promote the exchange of scientific and technical experience and information. To strengthen collaboration within and outside the region to achieve greater degree of self-reliance in food and agriculture.

3. AARINENA Work Plan AARINENA 10 th General Conference adopted the following work plan for 2006/2007: 1-Strengthening Regional Agricultural Information System (RAIS): Enhancing AARINENA Web Site Publication of AARINENA Newsletter Implementation of RAIS Priority Projects and Publication of Success Stories 2- Networks: Supporting the activities of commodity networks (Date-Palm, Cotton, Olive and Medicinal & Aromatic Plants) Establishing New Networks on Water Use Efficiency and Biotechnology Support the initiative of the Global Crop Biodiversity Trust for the development of a Regional Conservation Strategy for the WANA Region 3-Support the Global Post Harvest Initiative in linking farmers to market and 4- Strengthen Inter-regional Collaboration

4. Highlights of the Progress I-Regional Agricultural Information System (RAIS) Main achievements : 1 ) Website Introduction and development of AARINENA Website with its own URL ( www.aarinena.org ). Enhancement of Arabic version of the website 2) Identifying the status of human resources in the region. 3) Identifying the NAIS status within member countries 4) Identifying Information Focal Units in member countries. (Details will be presented in this session by Mrs. Ebrahimi)

5. Regional Agricultural Information Regional Agricultural Information System (Cont.) 5) Information platforms: i) NARIMS :A project on “National Agricultural Research Information Management System” was developed in collaboration with Central Lab for Agricultural Expert Systems (CLAES) ARC-Egypt with the support of GFAR: This project is A Web based bi-lingual information system aimed at capturing and disseminating information on research institutions, researchers, publications, and projects . Training Workshop was held in Cairo May 2007 on the project to strengthen capacities of NARS . A Training workshop to strengthen “ICT National Focal Units” was held in Muscat-Oman 8-10 January 2008.

6. Regional Agricultural Information System (Cont.) 2) Near East Rural & Agricultural Knowledge and Information Network (NERAKIN-RAIS ) This Information Network was developed in collaboration with FAO/RNE: It is a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration for Agricultural Research and Development (ARD) for target groups and stakeholders. NERAKIN-RAIS is playing a major role in building information infrastructure at regional and national level. NERAKIN will be launched officially during this session by Mr. Magdi Latif from FAO/RNE.

7. Technical cooperation networks have become a generic model for the establishment of functional mechanisms for collaboration and enhancement of communication and exchange of experiences among different countries in the region and other regions. Networks were found to reduce duplicative efforts among national institutions in several countries and to provide a cost-effective instrument for information exchange and institution building. AARINENA Established 6 Networks on: Date-Palm, Cotton, Olive, Medicinal Plants, Water Use Efficiency and Agricultural Biotechnology II- AARINENA Technical Networks

8. Highlights of Network Activities 1- Date-Palm Global Network (DGPN): Proceedings of second International Date Palm Conference were published and distributed to all members. The establishment of the Khalifah International Date Palm Award, Preparing for the Third International Date Palm Exhibition at Al Ain, UAE, (22 - 26 October, 2008)

9. Networks Cont. 2 - Inter-Regional Cotton Network in Asia and North AFRICA (INCANA):Established In Collaboration with APAARI, CACARI and AREO-Iran INCANA held two inter-regional traveling Workshops one on Hybrid and BT Cotton in India in November, 2005 and the other traveling Workshop on IPM in Syria , August 2006. INCANA held its third Steering Committee Meeting with the support of AARINENA & APAARI hosted by GCSAR, Syria, June 07: More Details on the activities of INCANA will be Presented by Aisel in the Networks session.

10. Networks Cont. 3- Regional Olive Network Activities The olive GAP manual was completed , unfortunately, its publication by FAO HQ is being delayed. The Network jointly with ESCORENA published OLEA Information Bulletins No. 25 and No. 26. The network jointly collaborated with ISHS in the Scientific Organization Committee for “VI International Symposium on Olive Growing”, held in Portugal . Success Story on organic farming

11. Networks Cont. 4- Regional Medicinal & Aromatic Plants Network Activities : The first annual meeting for MAP was held in Malta and Re-organized its composition . The network cosponsored the 12 th International Conference and Exhibition in collaboration with FAO and the Egyptian Society of Medicinal Plants held in Nov. 2007, Cairo-Egypt . The Network is Planning to Cosponsor the 13 th Intl. Conference in 2009.

12. Networks Cont. 6- Agricultural Biotechnology Network An expert Consultation meeting for the establishment of this Network was held in December 2007 in Cairo- Egypt with the support of GFAR, FAO and ICARDA. The Network is hosted by AGERI –ARC and planning a training course on Bioinformatics in Nov., 2008 with the support of GFAR.

13. New Regional Network 7- Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) Network: A Concept paper for “regional Collaboration for Conservation and Sustainable Plant Genetic Resources in WANA” was prepared Dr. Zehni in collaboration with AARINENA and BI. The paper was distributed to all members and was posted on AARINENA Web for comments and suggestions . A proposal document for the establishment of PGR Network will be presented in the Network session by Dr. Ayad .

14. Geographical Distribution of AARINENA Networks Tunisia Olive Network Jordan Medicinal & Aromatic Plants UAE Date Palm Global Network Iran Int. Reg. Cotton Network N.A. (Maghreb) Sub-Region Mashreq Sub-Region Arabian Peninsula Sub-Region West Asia Sub-Region Morocco WUE Egypt Agri. Biotech. Nile valley Sub-Region

15. New Networks in the WANA Region Egypt NERAKIN (FAO/RNE ) PGRN (??)

16. III. Global Partnership Program (GPP): Linking Small Farmers to market AARINENA has been actively taking part in the development of the Global Partnership Program (GPP) on Linking Farmers to Market (LFM). AARINENA cosponsored with GFAR & FAO a workshop on GPP on linking smallholder farmers to growth markets in Cairo September 2006. The meeting was attended d by representatives from AARINENA, APAARI, FARA and FORAGRO and formed an Interim Steering Committee (ISC) that include representatives of all Regional Fora to develop the global partnership program. AARINENA is being represented in this Committee by Eng. Mohamed El Kholy an Olive Farmer from Egypt. Based on the current efforts to assess success stories on LFM in WANA Region, AARINENA prepared & published 3 success stories that will be presented by Dr. Habbab, AARINENA Consultant tomorrow. The objectives, principles and expected outputs for this global program will be presented by ISC Chairman, Dr. Garcia from FORAGRO tomorrow.

17. IV. Interregional Collaboration Collaboration with FARA AARINENA participated in the fourth Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) General Assembly, which took place in South Africa,June 2007 One of the resolutions adopted by FARA General Assembly was requesting AARINENA on the basis of FARA Entebbe Declaration to assist in establishing North African Sub Regional Organization (NA-SRO) . The draft Constitution will be presented by Mr. Adnan Gibriel for adoption .

18. Inter-Regional Collaboration (Cont.) Collaboration with APAARI and CACAARI: AARINENA participated in APAARI general assembly " held in New Delhi , November 2006. AARINENA participated in CACAARI Expert Consultation on Regional Research Need Assessment meeting held in Tashkent , March 07. Partnership for Agricultural Biotechnology between AARINENA Biotechnolgy Network and APAARI APCoB, jointly cooperating and participating in: An Expert Consultation on Biotechnology organized jointly by MARDI/APAARI/APCoAB in Malaysia last August and Bioinformatics Training Course organized by AARINENA and AGERI-ARC to be held in Egypt in November 2008 with the support of GFAR Implemented joint activities of the inter-regional network on cotton (INCANA) co-sponsored/ supported by APAARI, GFAR, ICARDA/CAC and AARINENA

19. Inter-Regional Collaboration (cont.) Collaboration with ERA-ARD: AARINENA participated in the ERA-ARD Conference on ‘Agricultural Research for Development (ARD) in Europe’ Held in Brussels, June 2007; AARINENA is a member of the newly formed Southern Advisory Group (SAG) along with other regional representatives . SAG will enhance southern involvement with ERA-ARD by Providing information and advice to the ERA-ARD program about southern regional ARD policies and strategies. AARINENA Participated in the three SAG meetings held in conjunction with ERA-ARD SC. AARINENA submitted its input to the joint proposal on bio-energy and capacity building with ERA-ARD project. AARINENA provided ERA –ARD project task leaders with experts who participated in various project activities.

20. Inter-Regional Collaboration (cont .) Cooperation With FORAGRO AARINENA and FORAGRO exchanged participation in each other General Assembly meetings in the past two years. Cooperated in the formulation of Interim Steering Committee (ISC) for Linking farmers to Market for preparing the GPP for LFM AARINENA is looking forward to FORAGRO collaborations in joint activities on policy institutions

21. Other Activities AARINENA’s President and Executive Secretary participated actively as members of GFAR Program and Steering committees meetings held in conjunction with CGIAR AGMs . Dr. Al-bakri AARINENA President and Dr. Roozitalab EXCO Advisor represented AARINENA in the CGIAR Senior Management Program organized by CGIAR in Switzerland in July 2008. AARINENA participated with 20 member delegation in GFAR triennial conference held in new Delhi Nov. 2006 included all EXCO members along with Universities, NGOs and Farmers representatives . In order to ensure greater involvement and ownership of ARD related activities of AARINENA, the EXCO recommended additional seats for representation of CGIAR, GFAR and CSOs as members of AARINENA Executive Committee . These amendments will be presented by Dr. Roozitalab for adoption in this Conference.

22. Re-visiting Priority Setting Priority setting is a dynamic process, in view of the substantial development that have occurred in the WANA region , AARINENA in collaboration with ICARDA & GFAR planning for re-visit the long term vision and strategies with the aim of enhancing the process of regionalization of agricultural research and fostering CGIAR/NARS collaboration and integration. An Expert Group for revisiting priorities is being formed : Dr. Kamel Shideed from ICARDA (Chair) , Dr. Majd Jamal, Damascus Uinv. Dr. Salah Jalal, Ain-shams Univ., Dr. Nasri Haddad, JU and Dr. Abdel-Majeed Slama Ex. IFAD/GFAR consultant. The group held two meetings to discuss preparing a work plan for action that will include the status of implementing the priorities in the WANA Region . Details will be presented by Dr. Shideed tomorrow.

23. Agricultural Science and Technology Indicators (ASTI) initiative in WANA AARINENA, ICARDA, and IFPRI prepared a concept note for a proposal to secure funding to monitor the investment, personnel, and institutional trends in agricultural R&D in the various WANA Countries in order to: 1 -Collect data on investment, capacity, and institutional trends since 2000 on the agricultural research systems of: Algeria, Cyprus, Djibouti, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Sudan, and Yemen. 2 -Update the existing ASTI datasets for Jordan, Morocco, Syria, and Tunisia . 3 -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 The Concept Note is ready to be presented to interested donors and will be implemented by ICARDA & IFPRI

24. Newsletter: AARINENA published 5 biannual Newsletters (2006/2007/2008 Vol.14-nos 1,2 , Vol. 15.1&2 and 16-1 ) . Proceedings of meetings: Proceedings of meetings, workshops and training courses were published , distributed and posted on AARINENA Website Success Stories: 1-Production of Pasture Seeds in Hot Humid Gulf Climate to Re-vegetate Degraded Lands AARINENA pub:2005/1 2-Micropropagation and DNA fingerprinting of date-palm Trees of Saudi Arabia. AARINENA Publication 2006/1 3-Revitalizing Community-Based Traditional Seed Systems in Yemen: Experience of an Outreach Seed Program”. AARINENA publication 2007/1. 4-Linking farmers to market success stories. 2008/1 Most of these Publications are on display at the poster session in this conference IV-Publications

25. V-Meetings (2006/2007) AARINENA organized meetings in collaboration with GFAR, FAO, ICARDA & BI AARINENA ICT-RAIS General Assembly ,Amman-Jordan 26 April 06. 10th AARINENA General Conference , Sana'a –Yemen, 25-27 June 2006 Advocacy workshop for AARINENA NARS leaders , Yemen 26 June 06 Cotton IPM traveling Workshop, Syria, 16-21 August 2006 Workshop on Global Partnership Program for linking farmers to market, Cairo 11-15 Sept. 06 The 12th International Conference on Recent Trends in Medicinal & Aromatic Plants Egypt, November 2006 AARINENA Expert Consultation for WUE Network , ICARDA 26-27 Nov. 06 Regional Workshop on agricultural Information Systems for agricultural R&D Cairo-Egypt 27-30 May 2007 Fifth ICT_RAIS Steering Committee Meeting , Cairo-Egypt 27-30 May 2007 Third INCANA Steering Committee Meeting Damascus-Syria June,2007 Expert Consultation meeting for establishment of Agr. Biotech. Network, Cairo, 15-16 Dec. 07 ICT focal units training workshop, Muscat –Oman 8-10 Jan.2008 The third International Date Palm Exhibition at UAE ,March 08; 3 EXCO meetings held in Sana'a’ June- 2006, New-Delhi Nov. 06, ICARDA May 06& Muscat 7 th January, 2008

26. Planned Future Activities 2008/2009 1. AARINENA will continue strengthening RAIS: Organizing regional workshop on “Capacity Building in Knowledge and Information Network for Agricultural Research for Development” In collaboration with FAO/RNE December 2008 Enhancement of New version of AARINENA Web site (English and Arabic) using Content Management System (CMS) 2. Organize an expert consultation on " Revisiting priority setting for the WANA Region” 3. Supporting and strengthening existing Regional Network activities 4. Support the establishment of GPP for Linking Farmers to Market 5. Strengthening Inter-regional Cooperation

27. THANK YOU