National Workshop on "Monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the second global plan of action (GPA2) for PGRFA" in Egypt

National Workshop on "Monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the second global plan of action (GPA2) for PGRFA" organized in Egypt on 5-6 November 2014. between FAO and Plant Genetic Research Institutions in four member countries (Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Iran) Within the framework of Project of Optimizing the Use of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture for Adaptation to Climate Change (TCP/SNO/3401).

Objectives of the National workshop on Monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the second globalplan of action (GPA2) for PGRFA

• Overview of the implementation of the Second Global Plan of Action for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
• To introduce the World Information and Early Warning System (WIEWS) software.
• Building stronger partnerships among national stakeholders on PGRFA management.
• Increasing understanding about the status and dynamics of PGRFA.
• Strengthening the coordination among different stakeholders involved in the conservation and use of PGRFA and in the collection of relevant information to be uploaded on the National Information Sharing Mechanism(NISMs)
• Determination of the monitoring and reporting process on the implementation of GPA2 for PGRFA in Egypt.

National Workshop on “Monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the Second Global Plan of Action for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture" in Lebanon

The Objective of the workshop is to assist stakeholders as well as the National Monitoring Officers of the Second Global plan of Action (GPA2) to continue filling up the excel sheets relevant to the 18 priority areas of the Second Global Plan of Action for PGRFA using world information and early warning system WIEWS.

5th International Olive Conference " Olive Culture, Biotechnology & Quality of Olive Tree Products"

The 5th OLIVEBIOTEQ Conference organized by AARENINA, ICARDA and NCARE to be held in Amman, Jordan from 3rd to 6th November 2014.

The international conference for olive tree and olive products brings together scientists, technicians, managers, exporters, policy makers and students to exchange experience of new approaches to olive production and marketing, and to develop new thinking for approaches to a sustainable and more profitable global olive industry.

The event will present new research and technical innovations related to olive growing and production. A large range of topics will be discussed such as, olive genetic resources, biology and physiology, biotechnology, crop management, planting systems, organic farming, irrigation, pest and disease control, olive technology, olive quality and health.

On the other hand, olive industry by-products management, economics and marketing and other sector issues will be treated at the conference.

Exchange of Information on National PGRFA Strategies and the Development of Regional Collaborative Activities

In the framework of the Regional Technical Cooperation project “Optimizing the Use of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture for Adaptation to Climate Change TCP/SNO/3401” Under the patronage of his Excellency The Minister of Agriculture Mr. Akram Shehayeb.

The Ministry of Agriculture and the FAO Representation in Lebanon are jointly organizinga Regional Workshop on the “Exchange of Information on National PGRFA Strategies and the Development of Regional Collaborative Activities”

Date: Monday and Tuesday 22-23 September 2014 at 9: 00 A.M

Place: Rotana Tamar Hotel-Hadath, Beirut-Lebanon

Regional Training Workshop on "National Plant Genetic Networks for Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Knowledge Sharing"

Regional training workshop on “National Plant Genetic Networks for Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Knowledge Sharing in Near East and North Africa for Agriculture and Food Security” will be organized in Lebanon in a joint activity between FAO and Plant Genetic Research Institutions in four member countries (Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Iran) Within the framework of Project of Optimizing the Use of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture for Adaptation to Climate Change (TCP/SNO/3401). The workshop will be designated for stakeholders and potential users in the four countries.

The Near East and North Africa Regional Plant Genetic Network aims to facilitate exchange of information and knowledge sharing through the development of an information system for the collection and dissemination of information on advances in Plant Genetic research results and other relevant resources.

Steering Committee Discusses Action Plan For The Near East And The North Africa

FAO hosts the first Steering Committee to discuss the implementation of the Near East and North Africa Action Plan for the Benefit-Sharing Fund in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resource for Agriculture.

The Treaty NENA Action Plan addresses water, plant genetic resources and food security in the region. It comes as a direct result of the Ministerial Conference held at the Treaty’s Governing Body in Muscat, Oman, in September 2013.

The Benefit-Sharing Fund for the conservation and use of plant genetic resources

The Treaty’s Benefit-Sharing Fund (BSF) invests in high impact projects, technology transfer and capacity building, to support developing countries in the conservation and use of plant genetic.

“The Benefit-Sharing Fund of the International Treaty is well placed to make a significant contribution to addressing drought and food security in the NENA Region,” said Dr Shakeel Bhatti, Secretary of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources. “With the needed financial support, the Treaty can assist the NENA region to cope with drought and desertification’s impact on local food crops by using plant genetic diversity and new technologies to develop drought- and salinity tolerant crops for the region. The Treaty NENA Action Plan would also conserve most, if not all, of the cultivated diversity of major crops currently existing in the Region.”

The Treaty’s BSF has already supported two rounds of projects benefiting the lives and livelihoods of over 17000 farmers. Projects are still on-going in 33 countries across Africa, Asia, Near East, Latin America and the Caribbean and are expected to benefit over 500,000 people. The Treaty is currently reviewing submissions made under the third round of Calls for Proposals. The Treaty NENA Action Plan is expected to be part of the 4th round of BSF Projects.

Plant Genetic resources for drought-tolerant food crops in the region

Climate change, growing populations, water scarcity and limited natural resources currently present a great challenge to the food security of the NENA region. Plant genetic resources, which are the raw materials used to create new crop varieties, play a strategic role in helping agriculture adapt to a dryer climate and related challenges. Drought- and salinity-tolerant crop varieties, for instance, contribute to saving scarce water resources and allow more water for other crops.

The BSF’s regional Action Plan will have a specific focus on agricultural production under conditions of water scarcity, drought, desertification and climate change and will also create the basis to foster partnerships with the non-profit and the private sector on the matter across the region.

“This plan is of a paramount importance for the NENA Region,” said Abdessalam Ould Ahmed, FAO Assistant Director-General for the Near East and North Africa, “It provides a framework that spells out goals to be achieved and specific measures to be implemented by countries and partners of the Near East and North Africa, including FAO” he added. Besides other areas, such as improved irrigation systems, water desalination and water reuse, the plant genetic resources addressed by the Treaty are an important aspect of addressing water scarcity in agriculture in the region.

Heads of key agricultural institutions in the region, including Dr Tariq Al-Zadjali, Director-General of the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD); Dr Mahmoud Solh, Director-General of International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA); Dr Mohammad Ajlouni, Executive Secretary of Association of Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East and North Africa (AARINENA); Dr Ismahane ElOuafi, Director-General of International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA); Dr Shakeel Bhatti, Secretary of the International Treaty on plant Genetic Resources, and officers from each of these bodies attended the Treaty Nena Action Plan Steering Committee. The Steering Committee meeting and Treaty Action Plan come as the direct implementation of the Muscat Ministerial Declaration, adopted at the regional Ministerial Conference hosted by H.E. Dr Fuad bin Jafaar Al-Sajwani, Oman’s Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Wealth, on the occasion of the Fifth Session of the Governing Body of the International Treaty.