AARINENA Activity ReportAARINENA Activity Report

2007/20082007/2008

Ahmed Al-Bakri Ibrahim Hamdan

AARINENA 11th General Conference Damascus-Syria , 12-14 October 2008

AARINENA MISSIONAARINENA MISSION

To contribute to the enhancement of agricultural and To contribute to the enhancement of agricultural and rural development in the WANA region through fostering rural development in the WANA region through fostering agricultural research and technology development.agricultural research and technology development.

To promote the exchange of scientific and technical To promote the exchange of scientific and technical experience and information.experience and information.

To strengthen collaboration within and outside the region To strengthen collaboration within and outside the region to achieve greater degree of self-reliance in food and to achieve greater degree of self-reliance in food and agriculture.agriculture.

AARINENA Work PlanAARINENA Work PlanAARINENA 10AARINENA 10thth General General Conference adopted the following Conference adopted the following work plan for 2006/2007:work plan for 2006/2007:

1-Strengthening Regional Agricultural Information1-Strengthening Regional Agricultural Information System (RAIS): System (RAIS): Enhancing AARINENA Web SiteEnhancing AARINENA Web Site Publication of AARINENA NewsletterPublication of AARINENA Newsletter Implementation of RAIS Priority Projects and Implementation of RAIS Priority Projects and Publication of Success StoriesPublication of Success Stories

2- Networks:2- Networks:o Supporting the activities of commodity networks (Date-Palm, Cotton, Olive and Supporting the activities of commodity networks (Date-Palm, Cotton, Olive and

Medicinal & Aromatic Plants)Medicinal & Aromatic Plants)o Establishing New Networks on Water Use Efficiency and Biotechnology Establishing New Networks on Water Use Efficiency and Biotechnology o Support the initiative of the Global Crop Biodiversity Trust for the development Support the initiative of the Global Crop Biodiversity Trust for the development

of a Regional Conservation Strategy for the WANA Regionof a Regional Conservation Strategy for the WANA Region

3-Support the Global Post Harvest Initiative in linking farmers to 3-Support the Global Post Harvest Initiative in linking farmers to market and market and

4- Strengthen Inter-regional Collaboration4- Strengthen Inter-regional Collaboration

Highlights of the ProgressHighlights of the Progress I-Regional Agricultural Information I-Regional Agricultural Information

System (RAIS)System (RAIS)Main achievementsMain achievements::

11) Website) Websitei. Introduction and development of AARINENA Website with its own

URL (www.aarinena.org).ii. Enhancement of Arabic version of the website

2) 2) Identifying the status of human resources in the region. Identifying the status of human resources in the region. 3) Identifying the NAIS status within member countries 3) Identifying the NAIS status within member countries 4) 4) Identifying Information Focal Units in member countries. Identifying Information Focal Units in member countries.

(Details will be presented in this session by Mrs. Ebrahimi)(Details will be presented in this session by Mrs. Ebrahimi)

Regional Agricultural Information Regional Agricultural Information

Regional Agricultural Information System (Cont.)Regional Agricultural Information System (Cont.)

5)5) Information platforms: Information platforms:i) i) NARIMSNARIMS :A project :A project on “National Agricultural Research on “National Agricultural Research

Information Management System” Information Management System” was developed in was developed in collaboration with collaboration with Central Lab for Agricultural Expert Systems (CLAES) ARC-Egypt with the support of GFAR: (CLAES) ARC-Egypt with the support of GFAR:

This project is A Web based bi-lingual information system This project is A Web based bi-lingual information system aimed at capturing and disseminating information on aimed at capturing and disseminating information on research institutions, researchers, publications, and research institutions, researchers, publications, and

projectsprojects.. Training Workshop was held in Cairo May 2007 on the Training Workshop was held in Cairo May 2007 on the

project project to strengthen to strengthen capacities of NARS .capacities of NARS . A Training workshop to strengthen “ICT National Focal A Training workshop to strengthen “ICT National Focal

Units” was held in Muscat-Oman 8-10 January 2008.Units” was held in Muscat-Oman 8-10 January 2008.

Regional Agricultural Information System (Cont.)Regional Agricultural Information System (Cont.)

2) 2) Near East Rural & Agricultural Knowledge and Near East Rural & Agricultural Knowledge and Information Network (NERAKIN-RAISInformation Network (NERAKIN-RAIS))

This Information Network was developed in collaboration with This Information Network was developed in collaboration with FAO/RNE:FAO/RNE:

It is a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration for It is a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration for Agricultural Research and Development (ARD) for target Agricultural Research and Development (ARD) for target groups and stakeholders.groups and stakeholders.

NERAKIN-RAIS is playing a major role in building information NERAKIN-RAIS is playing a major role in building information infrastructure at regional and national level.infrastructure at regional and national level.

NERAKIN will be launched officially during this session by Mr. NERAKIN will be launched officially during this session by Mr. Magdi Latif from FAO/RNE.Magdi Latif from FAO/RNE.

Technical cooperation networks have become a generic model for Technical cooperation networks have become a generic model for the establishment of functional mechanisms for collaboration and the establishment of functional mechanisms for collaboration and enhancement of communication and exchange of experiences enhancement of communication and exchange of experiences among different countries in the region and other regions.among different countries in the region and other regions.

Networks were found to reduce duplicative efforts among national Networks were found to reduce duplicative efforts among national institutions in several countries and to provide a cost-effective institutions in several countries and to provide a cost-effective instrument for information exchange and institution building.instrument for information exchange and institution building.

AARINENA Established 6 Networks on: Date-Palm, Cotton, Olive, AARINENA Established 6 Networks on: Date-Palm, Cotton, Olive, Medicinal Plants, Water Use Efficiency and Agricultural Medicinal Plants, Water Use Efficiency and Agricultural BiotechnologyBiotechnology

II-II- AARINENA Technical AARINENA Technical Networks

Highlights of Network ActivitiesHighlights of Network Activities

1- Date-Palm Global Network (DGPN):1- Date-Palm Global Network (DGPN):

Proceedings of second International Date Palm Proceedings of second International Date Palm Conference were published and distributed to all Conference were published and distributed to all members.members.

The establishment of the Khalifah International Date The establishment of the Khalifah International Date Palm Award,Palm Award,

Preparing for the Preparing for the Third International Date Palm Third International Date Palm Exhibition at Al Ain, UAE, (22 - 26 October, 2008)Exhibition at Al Ain, UAE, (22 - 26 October, 2008)

Networks Cont.Networks Cont.

22- - Inter-Regional Cotton Network in Asia and North AFRICA Inter-Regional Cotton Network in Asia and North AFRICA (INCANA):Established In Collaboration with APAARI, (INCANA):Established In Collaboration with APAARI, CACARI and AREO-IranCACARI and AREO-Iran

INCANA held two inter-regional traveling Workshops one on INCANA held two inter-regional traveling Workshops one on Hybrid and BT Cotton in India in November, 2005 and the other Hybrid and BT Cotton in India in November, 2005 and the other traveling Workshop on IPM in Syria , August 2006.traveling Workshop on IPM in Syria , August 2006.

INCANA held its third Steering Committee Meeting with the INCANA held its third Steering Committee Meeting with the support of AARINENA & APAARI hosted by GCSAR, Syria, June support of AARINENA & APAARI hosted by GCSAR, Syria, June 07:07:

More Details on the activities of INCANA will be Presented by Aisel More Details on the activities of INCANA will be Presented by Aisel in the Networks session. in the Networks session.

Networks Cont.Networks Cont.

3- Regional Olive Network Activities3- Regional Olive Network Activities

The olive GAP manual was completed , unfortunately, its publication The olive GAP manual was completed , unfortunately, its publication by FAO HQ is being delayed.by FAO HQ is being delayed.

The Network jointly with ESCORENA published The Network jointly with ESCORENA published OLEA Information OLEA Information Bulletins No. 25 and No. 26.Bulletins No. 25 and No. 26.

The network jointly collaborated with ISHS in the Scientific The network jointly collaborated with ISHS in the Scientific Organization Committee for “VI International Symposium on Olive Organization Committee for “VI International Symposium on Olive Growing”, held in Portugal .Growing”, held in Portugal .

Success Story on organic farmingSuccess Story on organic farming

Networks Cont.Networks Cont.

4- Regional Medicinal & Aromatic Plants Network 4- Regional Medicinal & Aromatic Plants Network ActivitiesActivities::

The first annual meeting for MAP was held in Malta andThe first annual meeting for MAP was held in Malta andRe-organized its compositionRe-organized its composition. .

The network cosponsored the 12The network cosponsored the 12thth International International Conference and Exhibition in collaboration with FAO and Conference and Exhibition in collaboration with FAO and the Egyptian Society of Medicinal Plants held in Nov. the Egyptian Society of Medicinal Plants held in Nov. 2007, Cairo-Egypt .2007, Cairo-Egypt .

The Network is Planning to Cosponsor the 13The Network is Planning to Cosponsor the 13thth Intl. Intl. Conference in 2009.Conference in 2009.

Networks Cont.Networks Cont.

6- Agricultural Biotechnology Network

An expert Consultation meeting for the establishment of An expert Consultation meeting for the establishment of this Network was held in December 2007 in Cairo- Egypt this Network was held in December 2007 in Cairo- Egypt with the support of GFAR, FAO and ICARDA. with the support of GFAR, FAO and ICARDA.

The Network is hosted by AGERI –ARC and planning a The Network is hosted by AGERI –ARC and planning a training course on Bioinformatics in Nov., 2008 with the training course on Bioinformatics in Nov., 2008 with the support of GFAR.support of GFAR.

New Regional NetworkNew Regional Network

7- Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) Network:7- Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) Network:

A Concept paper for “regional Collaboration for Conservation and A Concept paper for “regional Collaboration for Conservation and Sustainable Plant Genetic Resources in WANA” was prepared Dr. Sustainable Plant Genetic Resources in WANA” was prepared Dr. Zehni in collaboration with AARINENA and BI.Zehni in collaboration with AARINENA and BI.

The paper was distributed to all members and was posted on The paper was distributed to all members and was posted on AARINENA Web for comments and suggestions .AARINENA Web for comments and suggestions .

A proposal document for the establishment of PGR Network will be A proposal document for the establishment of PGR Network will be presented in the Network session by Dr. Ayad .presented in the Network session by Dr. Ayad .

Geographical Distribution of Geographical Distribution of AARINENA NetworksAARINENA Networks

Tunisia Olive Network

JordanMedicinal &

Aromatic Plants

UAEDate Palm

Global Network

IranInt. Reg.

Cotton Network

N.A. (Maghreb) Sub-Region

Mashreq Sub-Region

Arabian Peninsula Sub-Region

West Asia Sub-Region

Morocco WUE

EgyptAgri. Biotech.

Nile valleySub-Region

New Networks in the WANA New Networks in the WANA RegionRegion

Egypt

NERAKIN (FAO/RNE) PGRN (??)

III. Global Partnership Program (GPP): Linking Small Farmers to

market AARINENA has been actively taking part in the development of the Global AARINENA has been actively taking part in the development of the Global

Partnership Program (GPP) on Linking Farmers to Market (LFM).Partnership Program (GPP) on Linking Farmers to Market (LFM).

AARINENA cosponsored with GFAR & FAO AARINENA cosponsored with GFAR & FAO a workshop on GPP on linking a workshop on GPP on linking smallholder farmers to growth markets in Cairo September 2006.smallholder farmers to growth markets in Cairo September 2006.

The meeting was attendedThe meeting was attendedd by d by representatives from AARINENA, APAARI, FARA representatives from AARINENA, APAARI, FARA and FORAGRO and formed an Interim Steering Committee (ISC) and FORAGRO and formed an Interim Steering Committee (ISC) that include that include representatives of all Regional Fora to develop the global partnership program.representatives of all Regional Fora to develop the global partnership program.

AARINENA is being represented in this Committee by Eng. Mohamed El Kholy an AARINENA is being represented in this Committee by Eng. Mohamed El Kholy an Olive Farmer from Egypt.Olive Farmer from Egypt.

Based on the current efforts to assess success stories on LFM in WANA Region, 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. AARINENA prepared & published 3 success stories that will be presented by Dr. Habbab, AARINENA Consultant tomorrow. Habbab, AARINENA Consultant tomorrow.

The objectives, principles and expected outputs for this global program will be The objectives, principles and expected outputs for this global program will be presented by ISC Chairman, Dr. Garcia from FORAGRO tomorrow.presented by ISC Chairman, Dr. Garcia from FORAGRO tomorrow.

IV. Interregional CollaborationIV. Interregional Collaboration Collaboration with FARACollaboration with FARA

o AARINENA participated in AARINENA participated in the fourth Forum for Agricultural the fourth Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) General Assembly, which took place Research in Africa (FARA) General Assembly, which took place in South Africa,June 2007in South Africa,June 2007

o One of the resolutions adopted by FARA General Assembly was One of the resolutions adopted by FARA General Assembly was requesting AARINENA on the requesting AARINENA on the basis of FARA Entebbe basis of FARA Entebbe Declaration to assist in establishing Declaration to assist in establishing

North African Sub Regional Organization (NA-SRO) .North African Sub Regional Organization (NA-SRO) .

o The draft Constitution will be presented by Mr. Adnan Gibriel The draft Constitution will be presented by Mr. Adnan Gibriel for for

adoptionadoption..

Inter-Regional Collaboration (Cont.)Inter-Regional Collaboration (Cont.)

Collaboration with APAARI and CACAARI: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:

1. An Expert Consultation on Biotechnology organized jointly by MARDI/APAARI/APCoAB in Malaysia last August and

2. 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

Inter-Regional Collaboration (cont.)Inter-Regional Collaboration (cont.)

Collaboration with ERA-ARD:Collaboration with ERA-ARD:

AARINENA participated in the ERA-ARD Conference on ‘Agricultural AARINENA participated in the ERA-ARD Conference on ‘Agricultural Research for Development (ARD) in Europe’ Held in Brussels, June 2007; Research for Development (ARD) in Europe’ Held in Brussels, June 2007; AARINENA is a member of the newly formed Southern Advisory Group AARINENA is a member of the newly formed Southern Advisory Group (SAG) along with other regional representatives .(SAG) along with other regional representatives .

SAG will enhance southern involvement with ERA-ARDSAG will enhance southern involvement with ERA-ARD by Providing by Providing information and advice to the ERA-ARD program about southern regional information and advice to the ERA-ARD program about southern regional ARD policies and strategies.ARD policies and strategies.

AARINENA Participated in the three SAG meetings held in conjunction with AARINENA Participated in the three SAG meetings held in conjunction with ERA-ARD SC.ERA-ARD SC.

AARINENA submitted its input to the joint proposal on bio-energy and AARINENA submitted its input to the joint proposal on bio-energy and capacity building with ERA-ARD project.capacity building with ERA-ARD project.

AARINENA provided ERA –ARD project task leaders with experts who AARINENA provided ERA –ARD project task leaders with experts who participated in various project activities.participated in various project activities.

Inter-Regional Collaboration (contInter-Regional Collaboration (cont.).)

Cooperation With FORAGROCooperation With FORAGRO

AARINENA and FORAGRO exchanged participation in each other AARINENA and FORAGRO exchanged participation in each other General Assembly meetings in the past two years.General Assembly meetings in the past two years.

Cooperated in the formulation of Interim Steering Committee (ISC) Cooperated in the formulation of Interim Steering Committee (ISC) for Linking farmers to Market for preparing the GPP for LFMfor Linking farmers to Market for preparing the GPP for LFM

AARINENA is looking forward to FORAGRO collaborations in joint AARINENA is looking forward to FORAGRO collaborations in joint activities on policy institutions activities on policy institutions

Other ActivitiesOther Activities

AARINENA’s President and Executive Secretary participated actively as AARINENA’s President and Executive Secretary participated actively as members of GFAR Program and Steering committees meetings held in members of GFAR Program and Steering committees meetings held in conjunction with CGIAR AGMsconjunction with CGIAR AGMs..

Dr. Al-bakri AARINENA President and Dr. Roozitalab EXCO Advisor Dr. Al-bakri AARINENA President and Dr. Roozitalab EXCO Advisor represented AARINENA in the CGIAR Senior Management Program represented AARINENA in the CGIAR Senior Management Program organized by CGIAR in Switzerland in July 2008.organized by CGIAR in Switzerland in July 2008.

AARINENA participated with 20 member delegation in GFAR triennial AARINENA participated with 20 member delegation in GFAR triennial conference held in new Delhi Nov. 2006 included all EXCO members conference held in new Delhi Nov. 2006 included all EXCO members along with Universities, NGOs and Farmers representatives .along with Universities, NGOs and Farmers representatives .

In order to ensure greater involvement and ownership of ARD related activities of In order to ensure greater involvement and ownership of ARD related activities of AARINENA, the EXCO recommended additional seats for representation of AARINENA, the EXCO recommended additional seats for representation of CGIAR, GFAR and CSOs as members of AARINENA Executive Committee . CGIAR, GFAR and CSOs as members of AARINENA Executive Committee . These amendments will be presented by Dr. Roozitalab for adoption in this These amendments will be presented by Dr. Roozitalab for adoption in this Conference.Conference.

Re-visiting Priority SettingRe-visiting Priority Setting Priority setting is a dynamic process, in view of the substantial development Priority setting is a dynamic process, in view of the substantial development

that have occurred in the WANA region , AARINENA in collaboration with that have occurred in the WANA region , AARINENA in collaboration with ICARDA & GFAR planning for re-visit the long term vision and strategies ICARDA & GFAR planning for re-visit the long term vision and strategies with the aim of enhancing the process of regionalization of agricultural with the aim of enhancing the process of regionalization of agricultural research and fostering CGIAR/NARS collaboration and integration.research and fostering CGIAR/NARS collaboration and integration.

An Expert Group for revisiting prioritiesAn Expert Group for revisiting priorities is being formed : is being formed :

Dr. Kamel Shideed from ICARDA (Chair) , Dr. Majd Jamal, Damascus Uinv. 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 Dr. Salah Jalal, Ain-shams Univ., Dr. Nasri Haddad, JU and Dr. Abdel-Majeed Slama Ex. IFAD/GFAR consultant.Slama Ex. IFAD/GFAR consultant.

The group held two meetings to discuss preparing a work plan for action 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 that will include the status of implementing the priorities in the WANA Region . Details will be presented by Dr. Shideed tomorrow.Region . Details will be presented by Dr. Shideed tomorrow.

Agricultural Science and Technology Agricultural Science and Technology Indicators (ASTI) initiative in WANAIndicators (ASTI) initiative in WANA

AARINENA, ICARDA, and IFPRI prepared a concept note for a AARINENA, ICARDA, and IFPRI prepared a concept note for a proposal to secure funding to monitor the investment, personnel, proposal to secure funding to monitor the investment, personnel, and institutional trends in agricultural R&D in the various WANA and institutional trends in agricultural R&D in the various WANA Countries in order to: Countries in order to:

11-Collect data on investment, capacity, and institutional trends since 2000 on the -Collect data on investment, capacity, and institutional trends since 2000 on the agricultural research systems of: agricultural research systems of: Algeria, Cyprus, Djibouti, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Algeria, Cyprus, Djibouti, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Sudan, and Yemen. Sudan, and Yemen.

22-Update the existing ASTI datasets for -Update the existing ASTI datasets for Jordan, Morocco, Syria, and TunisiaJordan, Morocco, Syria, and Tunisia..33-Ensure the accessibility and the utilization of the data through in-depth policy -Ensure the accessibility and the utilization of the data through in-depth policy analyses, issuance of reports, workshops, and other forms of dissemination and analyses, issuance of reports, workshops, and other forms of dissemination and Capacity IndicatorsCapacity Indicators

The Concept Note is ready to be presented to interested donors and The Concept Note is ready to be presented to interested donors and will be implemented by will be implemented by ICARDA & IFPRIICARDA & IFPRI

Newsletter:Newsletter: AARINENA published 5 biannual Newsletters (2006/2007/2008 AARINENA published 5 biannual Newsletters (2006/2007/2008

Vol.14-nos 1,2 , Vol. 15.1&2 and 16-1 )Vol.14-nos 1,2 , Vol. 15.1&2 and 16-1 ) ..Proceedings of meetings:Proceedings of meetings:

Proceedings of meetings, workshops and training courses were Proceedings of meetings, workshops and training courses were published , distributed and posted on AARINENA Website published , distributed and posted on AARINENA Website

Success Stories:Success Stories: 1-Production of Pasture Seeds in Hot Humid Gulf Climate to Re-1-Production of Pasture Seeds in Hot Humid Gulf Climate to Re-

vegetate Degraded Lands AARINENA pub:2005/1vegetate Degraded Lands AARINENA pub:2005/1 2-Micropropagation and DNA fingerprinting of date-palm Trees of 2-Micropropagation and DNA fingerprinting of date-palm Trees of

Saudi Arabia. AARINENA Publication 2006/1Saudi Arabia. AARINENA Publication 2006/1 3-Revitalizing Community-Based Traditional Seed Systems in 3-Revitalizing Community-Based Traditional Seed Systems in

Yemen: Experience of an Outreach Seed Program”. AARINENA Yemen: Experience of an Outreach Seed Program”. AARINENA publication 2007/1.publication 2007/1.

4-Linking farmers to market success stories. 2008/14-Linking farmers to market success stories. 2008/1

Most of these Publications are on display at the poster Most of these Publications are on display at the poster sessionsession in this conferencein this conference

IV-PublicationsIV-Publications

V-Meetings (2006/2007)V-Meetings (2006/2007) AARINENA organized meetings in collaboration with AARINENA organized meetings in collaboration with

GFAR, FAO, ICARDA & BI GFAR, FAO, ICARDA & BI

1.1. AARINENA ICT-RAIS General Assembly ,Amman-Jordan 26 April 06. AARINENA ICT-RAIS General Assembly ,Amman-Jordan 26 April 06.

2.2. 10th AARINENA General Conference , Sana'a –Yemen, 25-27 June 2006 10th AARINENA General Conference , Sana'a –Yemen, 25-27 June 2006

3.3. Advocacy workshop for AARINENA NARS leaders , Yemen 26 June 06Advocacy workshop for AARINENA NARS leaders , Yemen 26 June 06

4.4. Cotton IPM traveling Workshop, Syria, 16-21 August 2006Cotton IPM traveling Workshop, Syria, 16-21 August 2006

5.5. Workshop on Global Partnership Program for linking farmers to market, Cairo 11-15 Sept. 06Workshop on Global Partnership Program for linking farmers to market, Cairo 11-15 Sept. 066.6. The 12th International Conference on Recent Trends in Medicinal & Aromatic Plants Egypt, The 12th International Conference on Recent Trends in Medicinal & Aromatic Plants Egypt,

November 2006November 20067.7. AARINENA Expert Consultation for WUE Network , ICARDA 26-27 Nov. 06AARINENA Expert Consultation for WUE Network , ICARDA 26-27 Nov. 068.8. Regional Workshop on agricultural Information Systems for agricultural R&D Cairo-Egypt 27-30 Regional Workshop on agricultural Information Systems for agricultural R&D Cairo-Egypt 27-30

May 2007May 20079.9. Fifth ICT_RAIS Steering Committee Meeting , Cairo-Egypt 27-30 May 2007Fifth ICT_RAIS Steering Committee Meeting , Cairo-Egypt 27-30 May 200710.10. Third INCANA Steering Committee Meeting Damascus-Syria June,2007Third INCANA Steering Committee Meeting Damascus-Syria June,200711.11. Expert Consultation meeting for establishment of Agr. Biotech. Network, Cairo, 15-16 Dec. 07Expert Consultation meeting for establishment of Agr. Biotech. Network, Cairo, 15-16 Dec. 0712.12. ICT focal units training workshop, Muscat –Oman 8-10 Jan.2008ICT focal units training workshop, Muscat –Oman 8-10 Jan.200813.13. The third International Date Palm Exhibition at UAE ,March 08;The third International Date Palm Exhibition at UAE ,March 08;14.14. 3 EXCO meetings held in Sana'a’ June- 2006, New-Delhi Nov. 06, ICARDA May 06& Muscat 73 EXCO meetings held in Sana'a’ June- 2006, New-Delhi Nov. 06, ICARDA May 06& Muscat 7 thth

January, 2008January, 2008

Planned Future ActivitiesPlanned Future Activities2008/20092008/2009

1. AARINENA will continue strengthening RAIS: 1. AARINENA will continue strengthening RAIS:

Organizing regional workshop on “Capacity Building in Knowledge and Organizing regional workshop on “Capacity Building in Knowledge and Information Network for Agricultural Research for Development”Information Network for Agricultural Research for Development” In collaboration In collaboration with FAO/RNE December 2008 with FAO/RNE December 2008

Enhancement of New version of AARINENA Web site (English and Enhancement of New version of AARINENA Web site (English and Arabic) Arabic) using Content Management System (CMS)using Content Management System (CMS)

2. Organize an expert consultation on " Revisiting priority setting for the WANA 2. Organize an expert consultation on " Revisiting priority setting for the WANA Region”Region”

3. Supporting and strengthening existing Regional Network activities3. Supporting and strengthening existing Regional Network activities

4. Support the establishment of GPP for Linking Farmers to Market4. Support the establishment of GPP for Linking Farmers to Market

5. Strengthening Inter-regional Cooperation5. Strengthening Inter-regional Cooperation