Report and Proceedings "Summary of the Second Regular Meeting of the Coordinating Board"

NEAR EAST AND NORTH AFRICA

PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES NETWORK

(NENAPGRN)

Report and Proceedings

Summary of the Second Regular Meeting

of the Coordinating Board

18-20 September 2012

Cairo, Egypt

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NEAR EAST AND NORTH AFRICA PLANT GENETIC

RESOURCES NETWORK (NENA PGRN)

Report and Proceedings Summary of the Second Regular

Meeting of the Coordinating Board

18-20 September 2012: Cairo, Egypt

1. Introduction

The Second Regular Meeting of the Coordinating Board (CB) of NEAR EAST and North

Africa Plant Genetic Resources (NENAPGRN) was convened in Cairo, Egypt during 18 –

20 September 2012. The meeting was organized by NENAPGRN in collaboration with

the National Genebank of Egypt. It was sponsored by the Secretariat of the Association of

Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East and North Africa (AARINENA) and

the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Regional Office for the Near East

(FAO/RNE).

This report briefly describes the proceedings and outcomes of the meeting.

2. Objectives of the meeting

The meeting was convened as a regular meeting for the CB to consider a number of items

and decide on a number of issues including the following:

Adoption of the regional plant genetic resources (PGR) Strategy for Near

East and North Africa as a strategy for NENAPGRN.

Financial requirements for the network.

Implementation of the regional PGR strategy.

Establishment of the Regional Commission for Genetic Resources for

Food and Agriculture in the Near East.

Sharing of PGR information related under NENAPGRN.

Restructuring and activation of the network Technical Working Groups.

3. Venue

The meeting was convened in the Horizon Pyramids Hotel in Cairo.

4. Invitation for participation

Invitations were dispatched by the Network Coordinator to 12 member country focal

points as well as to a number of resource persons from the region in addition to

international and regional organizations of relevance including the FAO, Bioversity

International, Secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources For Food

and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), the Crop Diversity Trust, ICARDA and the Arab

Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD).

5. Participants

A total of 17 participants have attended the meeting. They represented national focal

points to the network in nine countries, AARINENA Secretariat, and international

organizations in addition to resource persons from within the region. Member countries

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represented were Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and

Yemen. International and regional organizations represented were the FAO

(headquarters), FAO/RNE, and ICARDA (Annex 1).

6. Agenda and programme

The agenda of the meeting covered nine major items that were considered by the meeting

during the three days as indicated in Annex 2. Those items were the following:

1. Reporting on the network activities since June 2011.

2. Review and adoption of the regional PGR strategy.

3. Country updating reports.

4. Information needs assessment as an integral component in the proposed PGR

strategy and road map for the development of PGR network.

5. Road map to establishment of the Regional Commission on Genetic Resources for

Food and Agricultural in Near East.

6. Financial requirements for the operation of the network.

7. Work plan for 2012 – 2014.

7. Opening session

The meeting was opened with speeches from the Chair of the CB, representative of the

FAO/RNE, representative of AARINENA Secretariat and the President of the national

Genebank of Egypt.

Dr. Ali H. Allawati, Chair of the CB, welcomed and thanked all participants who traveled

from their bases to attend the meeting. He thanked the hosting country represented by the

National Genebank in Egypt for their effective collaboration in organizing the meeting.

He also a acknowledged the very effective support gained from the FAO/RNE without

their considerable financial support with AARINENA this meeting couldn't be held.

Dr. Muhammad Dost addressed the meeting on behalf of the FAO/RNE indicating their

pleasure to support this activity and participate in it. He also expressed their willingness

to continue collaborating with AARINENA/NENPGRN to advance the cause of the PGR

in the NENA Region. He referred to the importance of having a regional strategy for

conservation and sustainable we of PGR and its interrelation with the national strategies

in this regard.

Dr. Mohammed Alajlouni addressed the meeting on behalf of AARINENA Secretariat

and emphasized the role of NENAPGRN as one of the networks under AARINENA. He

indicated that it was highly necessary to exchange experiences and expertise among the

countries and institutes in the region in the PGR conservation and use. He mentioned that

the challenge was always to change any strategy into action. To do so it is very important

to find means and ways for funding. He expressed his personal readiness to support and

go with NENAPGRN in order to enable it to achieve its objectives and be effective.

Dr. Hanaiya El-Itriby, president of the National Genebank of Egypt, opened the meeting

officially. She provided in her opening statement a historical background on Egypt's

agriculture and plant genetic resources. She praised the efforts exerted by the

AARINENA to make this network a reality, and the consequent efforts by NENAPGRN

to provide a regional platform.

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8. Working sessions

Following the official opening, the CB continued meeting according to the sessions

scheduled on the proposed programme. The agenda and programme of the meeting were

then discussed and adopted as attached in Annex 2. Following that the CB dealt with the

different agenda items as programmed through the three days of the meeting.

8.1 Day One: 18 September 2012

Agenda for the first day included dealing with three items as following:

i. Reporting on the network activities since June 2011.

ii. Review and adoption of the Regional PGR Strategy.

iii. Country updating reports.

8.1.1 Reporting on the network activities since June 2011

The Network Coordinator presented a general progress report on activities conducted

under the NENAPGRN during the period extending from June 2011 up to September

2012, which covered the period following the first regular meeting of the Coordinating

Board held in Muscat-Oman during 27-29 June 2011. Those activities and main

achievements as well as constraints and problems were briefly overviewed in the report as

following:

A. Adjustment of the network establishment instrument:

The document by which the NENAPGRN was established was reviewed and adjusted

by September 2011 to serve as the main instrument describing the Network

objectives, composition, governance and administrative set-up. The document was

reviewed and adjusted by Dr. Mohamed Zehni and the task group members

formulated for this purpose.

B. The Joint ECPGR/NENAPGRN workshop on ITPGRFA

As part of the activities of the European Cooperative Programme for Plant Genetic

resources (ECPGR) Inter-regional Cooperation Network, a joint workshop between

ECPGR and the NENAPGRN was organized on 28-29 September 2011 in Menemen,

Turkey, with the local support of the Aegean Agricultural Research Institute. The

financial resources for this workshop were made available by ECPGR with

contribution from AARINENA. This workshop was dedicated to exchanging views,

information and experiences related to the implementation of the ITPGRFA. The

workshop emphasized the need for capacity building for the implementation of the

ITPGRFA, at both regional and national levels, as an immediate need for effective

implementation of this Treaty and its Multi-Lateral System in NENA.

C. Regional PGR Strategy:

A draft for regional strategy for conservation and sustainable use of Plant Genetic

Resources (PGR) in NENA region was developed through a consultative process

voluntarily guided and facilitated by Dr. Mohamed S. Zehni for future use by the

NENAPGRN. The draft Strategy was presented to the 12th

General Conference of the

AARINENA held in Kuwait City, Kuwait, from 16 to 17 November 2011. The

General Conference endorsed the Strategy’s main goal and overall intent, with the

view that NENAPGRN Secretariat should seek, by all available means, the views of

the competent national PGR authorities and other interested parties. An initiative by

Bioversity International resulted in a meeting held in Rome during 19-20 December

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2011 for the team members contributed to the development of the Strategy draft. The

meeting came out with a number of guidelines and recommendations for a process of

consultation on the Strategy within NENAPGRN member countries. A questionnaire

proposed by the meeting was then used for this purpose. It was circulated by February

2012 to all focal points of 14 countries that are members in the NENAPGRN. Nine

countries have responded and provided their feedbacks up to August 2012.

D. Development of concept notes on identified project ideas

Two concept notes for project proposals were developed on assessment of status of

the current plant genetic resources conservation and sustainable use programmes in

the Near East and North Africa, and plant genetic resources documentation,

information management and exchange, and publication in NENAPGRN. The final

versions of the two concept notes were forwarded by January 2012 to a number of

international organizations requesting their assistance for identifying possible donors

for such proposals. So far, a positive response was received from Mr. Luigi Guarino

from the Trust which has indicated that (resources will probably be available in the

near future for taking forward both GRIN-Global deployment and Genesys data

sharing in NENA region, but cannot be more concrete and specific than that).

E. Preparation of a written proposal on restructuring and of the Technical Working

Groups

A brief proposal on restructuring and formation of the Technical Working Groups has

been developed by the Network Coordinator for consideration by the second regular

meeting of the CB.

F. Preparation for the second regular meeting of the Coordinating Board

Preparations to organize the second regular meeting of the NENAPGRN Coordinating

Board started early after the first meeting held in Oman in June 2011 in close linkage

with the National Gene Bank (NGB) in Egypt for necessary logistical arrangements.

The meeting was postponed to be held in September rather than June 2012 according

to the request from hosting institute in Egypt. Efforts by the AARINENA Secretariat

have resulted in securing necessary fund to hold the meeting through considerable

contribution from the FAO Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa

(FAO/RNE) and AARINENA. Invitations were then dispatched to 12 member

country focal points and to a number of resource persons from the region in addition

to the international organizations of relevance including FAO, Bioversity, ITPGRFA

Secretariat, Trust, ICARDA and AOAD.

G. Other activities

NENAPGRN was invited to the workshop on Development Opportunity Crops

Network for the promotion of Agro-biodiversity, which was organized by GlobalHort

under GFAR initiative and guidance during 10-11 January 2012 in Rome, Italy. Dr.

Ali Al Lawati, the present Chair of the CB participated in the workshop on behalf of

NENAPGRN. This workshop brought together a number of participants including

scientists, and development practitioners, from organizations with an applied interest

and experience on agrobiodiversity and specifically focusing on underutilized crops

and species.

H. New initiatives

Through efforts initiated by Dr. Ali Al Lawati, Chair of the CB, Animal and Plant

Genetic Resources Centre in Sulatante of Oman has agreed principally with approval

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from Dr. Nadiya Al Saadi, the Director of the Centre, to support an activity by

NENAPGRN in Oman before the end of the year. An official request was prepared to

have this activity as a regional forum/workshop under the theme of (Implementation

of the Regional PGR Strategy: Global, Regional and National Roles). This forum has

been proposed to be held during December 2012.

In his general report the Coordinator referred to the major constraints that hampered the

Network from being effective enough during the last period. One of these constraints has

been the lack of necessary financial resources for running the network affairs as well as

for implementing activities agreed upon. Another constraint has been the absence of a full

time Coordinator with necessary assisting Secretariat to run the affairs of the Network as

stipulated in the instrument establishing the Network.

8.1.2 Review and adoption of the Regional PGR strategy

The Coordinator presented an overview on the country feedbacks and comments received

from different countries on the Regional PGR Strategy proposed to be adopted by the

NENAPGRN. These comments were compiled together in one document, which was

circulated to all member countries and participants in the meeting. Nine countries have

responded including Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and

Sudan. All countries have praised the process and contents of the Strategy draft.

However, different countries provided different inputs suggested for consideration in the

final text of the Strategy. They also expressed their views with regard to the

implementation of this Strategy.

Dr. Mohamed Zehni presented an overview on the Strategy to the meeting. At the

beginning he expressed his gratefulness for being invited to attend the meeting, which he

described as a very important meeting and a new step forward for the Network that was

built on the momentum created in the first meeting in Oman. Dr. Zehni structured his talk

on the Strategy to cover the following lines:

- Why the Strategy?

- The Road to the Strategy.

- The Product.

- The Players.

- Approaches to follow up of Strategies.

- What is next?

- Few Thoughts.

Dr. Zehni mentioned to the meeting that the two factors influenced, to a great extent, the

development of the current Strategy were the under-realized potential in the NENA

region for the PGR, and questions that need answers such as why some of early attempts

at regional cooperation/coordination proved to be unsustainable and eventually fizzled

out? and will new regional initiatives avoid similar fate? and how?

The talk included a description of the process through which the strategy was developed.

This process was described by the speaker as a unique self-inspired initiative, with

voluntary undertaking, that has got the blessing by the higher authority represented by the

General Conference of AARINENA held in Kuwait City, from 16 to 17 November 2011.

The presentation included a brief description of the content of the strategy covering the

four parts of it, which were Part One: Background, Justification and Assessment, Part

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Two: Strategy for the Future, Part Three: A Framework for Action and Part Four:

Towards a Regional Information System.

In his talk Dr. Zehni acknowledged the contributions of the different players participated

in the process of the development of this Strategy. He thanked the small team comprising

Dr Ahmed Amri (ICARDA), Dr Ali Allawati (Oman), Dr Jan Engels (Bioversity

International), Dr El Tahir Ibrahim Mohamed (Sudan), Dr Hassan Ouabbou (Morocco),

Dr Harry Palmier (GFAR) and Dr. George Ayad Wagdi (Egypt). He mentioned the

valuable technical support and encouragement provided by ICARDA, GFAR and the

Bioversity International. The continued interest and support provided by Dr Ibrahim

Hamdan and AARINENA throughout the preparation of the Strategy was appraised by

him. The Chair and members of the Coordinating Board of NENAPGRN were also

thanked for having the foresight to initiate, in their very first meeting, action leading to

the development of the Strategy.

Dr. Zehni mentioned that there were a number of approaches to strategies among them is

that (the enlightened ones implement whatever they can of a strategy, and while they are

doing so they periodically review and update the original work). The strategy becomes a

living undertaking responsive to changing circumstances.

When dealing with what is next for the Strategy, Dr. Zehni pointed to a number of points

with special emphasis on the implementation question. The NENAPGRN would be the

legitimate owner of the Strategy once it was accepted by its members. This would have

implications and responsibilities as following:

- The CB should formally endorse the Strategy, and the Network would consider it

as the basis for its future activities, and be responsible for the implementation of

the Strategy that deals with regional aspects while individual member countries

would be responsible for the implementation at the national level.

- The Network cosponsors to lend their support to the Strategy including allowing

the use of their logos to appear next to those of AARINENA, and

- The Network Secretariat to urge the donor community and relevant international

organizations to lend their support to the national and regional efforts for the

implementation of the Strategy.

The presentation was ended with some recommendations for public relations drive

including the following:

- Consideration should be given to producing promotional material in English and

Arabic based on the strategy. Particularly, the production of promotional material

targeted at policy and decision makers.

- Make use of internet sites of Sponsors and regional organizations and having a

NENAPGRN own site.

The CB then discussed the issue of the Strategy with the general attitude to adopt it as

strategy for the Network while considering accommodating the comments by member

countries in the Strategy document. The CB decided to form a working group to consider

developing a proposed draft for a decision on the Strategy in order to be adopted by the

CB. The working group was composed of the CB Chair, Dr. Ali Al Lawti, Dr. Mohamed

Zehni, Dr. Muhammed Dost and the Coordinator.

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8.1.3 Country updating reports

The CB listened at the end of day one to country reports from Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait

and Sudan.

8.2 Day Two: 19 September 2012

The meeting listened at the beginning of the morning session in day two to a short note by

Dr. Kakoli Ghosh, the Team Leader, Seed and Plant Genetic Resources in the FAO,

Rome, who joined the meeting for the first time by then. She thanked NENAPGRN for

the invitation to participate in the meeting, that aiming to strengthening regional

collaboration on PGR issues. She emphasized the necessity of connecting activities

related to PGR to agricultural policies in the region, and the importance of integrating

PGR conservation with the use.

Agenda dealt with in the second day included the following:

- Information needs assessment as an integral component in the proposed

PGR strategy and roadmap for the development of PGR network.

- Country updating reports.

- Road map to establishment of the Regional Commission on Genetic

Resources for Food and Agriculture (GRFA) in the Near East.

8.2.1 Information needs assessment as an integral component in the proposed PGR

Strategy and road map for the development of PGR network:

Dr. Magdi Latif, Knowledge and Information Management Officer at FAO/RNE,

provided a presentation entitled (Information and Communication Management for Rural

and Agricultural Development in Near East and North Africa Region: Outputs and

Lessons Learned). He overviewed the Near East and North Africa Rural and Agricultural

Knowledge and Information Network (NERAKIN) initiative, which was launched in

2007. Its immediate objective was to strengthen the capacity of the Ministries of

Agriculture and Agricultural and Rural Research Institutions for effective information

management and knowledge exchange in support of rural and agricultural development in

the region. The NERAKIN was implemented in two phases: 2007 and 2008 – 2012,

during which a NERAKIN regional portal was launched and selected national technical

staff were trained to contribute to NERAKIN system. A number of regional thematic

networks were also launched such as the Regional Agricultural Biotechnology Network

in Near East and North Africa (RABNENA) and the Near East Plant Protection Network

(NEPP-NET). National and Institutional Information and Knowledge Networks have also

been developed in Egypt, Jordan and Oman. Dr Magdi overviewed different regional

activities by these networks during the last years since 2008.

He mentioned that there were a number of lessons learned from this experience including

the following:

- Enabling environment: the need to create an enabling environment that recognizes

the value of connectivity;

- People, not only technology: networks depend on and work with people and not

on technology alone;

- Institutionalization of networks;

- Acquiring knowledge-sharing culture that is based on collaborative methods and

exchange mechanisms;

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- Network facilitation: the significance need to network facilitation with face-to-

face meetings; and

- Sustainability: the need to ensure sustainability and self-financing.

He outlined the success factors for a proposed similar thematic network on PGR

information and knowledge under NENAPGRN as including the following:

- Commitment for contribution/collaboration at national level;

- Focus on capacity building at national level;

- Existence of a regional information strategy;

- Development of a Secretariat role for regional activities;

- Focus on community of practice amongst the PGR information specialists;

- Raising awareness of information and communication management issues at

PGR managerial and political levels;

- Formation of strategic partnerships amongst the major PGR stakeholder

organizations.

Following the presentation of Dr. Magdi Latif facilitated a working group session dealing

with different aspects related to developing an information system for NENAPGRN

including questions on issues such as existing sources of information and mechanisms to

access and share the PGR related information.

A concept note for establishment of a thematic network for effective information

management and knowledge exchange on PGR under NENAPGRN was distributed by

Dr. Magdi Latif for consideration by the Network.

8.2.2 Country updating reports

Four country reports were delivered during the second day. They included reports from

Iraq, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

8.2.3 Road map to establishment of the Regional Commission on GRFA in the Near

East:

Dr. Javad Mozafari, Director of National Genebank of Iran, and the present Chair of the

Governing Body of the ITPGRFA, delivered a presentation on (Road Map to

Establishment of Near East Regional Commission on Genetic Resources). In his

presentation he indicated that regional collaboration is needed because the genetic

resources are key assets for addressing biological challenges of global development on

top of which is the challenge of food security. In addition to that he emphasized on some

facts of relevance to the Near East. One of these facts is the conservation of ecosystems

are vital for agriculture, and these ecosystems related to agricultural resources are very

fragile in the Near East, a region that is highly food in-secure. A regional

intergovernmental mechanism is, therefore, was proposed to build synergy among

national programmes and countries on conservation and use of GRFA. The 31st FAO

Regional Conference for the Near East held in Rome, Italy during 14 – 18 May 2012,

supported the establishment of a Regional Commission on Genetic Resources to serve as

a regional platform for developing harmonized views, policies and initiatives on

conservation and utilization of genetic resources, and implementation of relevant

international treaties and protocols such as the ITPGRFA, convention of Biological

Diversity, and Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources. Dr. Javad outlined the

road a head for a process to establish the Regional Commission in the following:

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- Request Regional FAO office to include in its programme of work to

Decide on preparing a draft text as terms of References (TOR) and

Rules of procedure (ROP).

Invite countries of the region to hold a meeting and agree on the

TOR and ROP.

Submit them to the 32nd

Near East Regional Conference to be held

in Baghdad in 2014 for its approval.

8.2.4. Presentation on Desertification and conservation of dry land ecosystems

The CB meeting was honoured by the presence of Dr. Ismail A. Hussein, the Former

Chairman of Desert Research Center of Egypt, during the afternoon of the second day. He

delivered a presentation to the meeting entitled (Desertification and conservation of dry

land ecosystems). In his presentation he highlighted different related aspects including

description of the dry land ecosystem, and the imbalance between the supply from this

system and the demand by people. He also talked about the loss of biodiversity due to the

conversions of the dry lands into irrigated intensive agriculture and crop lands as well for

urban uses. He stressed on the need for having the political will to attain economic will

without scarifying the sustainability. He also provided an overview on the Egyptian

Deserts Genebank.

8.3 Day Three: 20 September 2012

The agenda for the third day included the following:

a. Financial requirements for the operation of the network

b. Work plan for 2012–2014

- Proposal for restructuring of the TWGs

- Implementation of the PGR strategy

c. Formation of Network Executive Committee (EC)

d. Election of the CB chair for the coming rotation

e. Venue for the third regular meeting of the CB.

8.3.1 Financial requirements for the operation of the network

The Network Coordinator introduced this item of agenda for discussion by the meeting.

He mentioned the need to develop an effective strategy for obtaining necessary funds for

operation of the Network. He referred to the efforts exerted by AARINENA Secretariat to

secure funding for some activities of the network including the meetings so far as well as

participation of network representatives in different fora. However, the resources of

AAERINENA have too limited to cover all aspects of activities of the Network, which

has to be self sustained to a considerable extent. The Coordinator brought some idea

before the CB for consideration in developing the necessary sustained financial resources.

These ideas included the following:

- Annual fixed fee to be paid by each member country for contribution in the

Network activities.

- Contribution by member countries in initiating, organizing, and covering the

costs of activities of regional importance under the umbrella of NENAPGRN.

- Establishment of a regional fund for plant genetic resources.

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The meeting dealt with this agenda item and discussed it thoroughly with concentration

on the above ideas.

8.3.2 Work plan for 2012-2014

The meeting tackled the issue of developing a work plan for the period 2012 through

working on two agenda sub-items, which were:

a. Proposal for restructuring of the TWGs

b. Implementation of the PGR strategy.

A. Proposal for restructuring of the Thematic Working Groups

The Coordinator introduced discussion on this agenda item by presenting a proposal

for restructuring of the Technical Working Groups. He mentioned that NENAPGRN

has been strategically concerned about different technical as well as policy related and

legal issues. Therefore, it was proposed to restructure such groups to deal with

different thematic aspects of importance for the network and to be renamed

accordingly as (Thematic Working Groups) rather than (Technical). The newly

proposed groups were:

- Thematic Working Group on PGR Conservation and Use.

- Thematic Working Group on PGR Information Management.

- Thematic Working Group on PGR Policy and Legislation.

Each TWG was proposed to be composed of experts in the thematic area from

different member countries and institutions. The membership should be endorsed by

the Network Board. The Board should decide on necessary criteria for selection of

members. Modes of operation and necessary resources for the groups should also be

decided by the Network Board.

The CB discussed the matter from different angles and agreed on specific decisions

to deal with it in future.

B. Implementation of the Regional PGR Strategy

The meeting discussed the implementation of the Regional PGR Strategy proposed to

be adopted by the Network as a challenge before the Network, with the understanding

that this strategy will form the basis for the network activities for years to come. The

Chair of the CB, Dr. Ali Al Lawati, brought to the attention of the meeting that

Sultanate of Oman has been willing to organize an activity devoted to the issue of the

strategy implementation. The Animal and Plant Genetic Resources Centre (APGRC)

of Oman has been ready to organize a regional forum on such subject, including

making available necessary financial resources for it. Accordingly, the Network

Coordinator sent a message to the Director of APGRC in Oman expressing the full

gratitude of the Network for this initiative and proposing having a regional workshop

under the theme (Implementation of the regional PGR strategy in NENA: global,

regional and national roles).

The meeting discussed the issue of the strategy implementation, and a number of

ideas were brought before the meeting by different participants. Among these ideas

was the proposal of developing a plan of action on the basis of the Strategy to be

implemented within specific time frame.

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8.3.3 Election of Executive Committee

According to the decision made by the first regular meeting of the CB held in Oman in

June 2011, the CB has to elect an Executive Committee (EC) composed of representatives

from the five sub-regions in NENA in addition to the CB Chair and the Network

Coordinator. Therefore, the meeting elected the EC for this rotation of two years (2012-

2014) with representatives from Maghreb, Nile Valley and Red Sea, Mashrig, Western

Asia and Arabian Peninsula sub-regions.

8.3.4 Election of the CB Chair

The CB elected a new Chair for the CB, which is to be renamed as Network Board

starting from the beginning of this rotation as decided by the CB in its first regular

meeting in Oman during June 2011.

8.3.5 Venue and Date for the Third Regular Meeting of the Network Board

The CB agreed on the venue for the third regular meeting of the Network Board which

will be held in 2014.

9. Country presentations

Country representatives presented country reports on status of the PGR programmes and

activities in their respective countries including the recent developments during the last

year since the first regular meeting of the CB. Outlines of the most recent and current

activities in different countries are summarized in the following.

9.1 Egypt

A number of projects are being carried out under the umbrella of the National Genebank

of Egypt at present. Among them is a project on sustainable utilization of agricultural

biodiversity to develop the local communities in the western desert, which started in 2010

and will finish by 2013, as well as a project on conservation and utilization of Egyptian

wild flora to improve salinity tolerance in cereals, which is starting this year 2012 and

planned to finish by 2015.

9.2 Iran

The total number of accessions conserved in Iran is 70270 accessions from field crops in

addition to 6029 accessions of fruit trees and 36000 accessions of medicinal and forest

and range plant genetic resources. During the last year 2011-2012 a number of activities

were conducted for evaluation of PGR for some desirable traits including on 512

accessions for salinity tolerance, 809 accessions for drought tolerance, 1994 accessions

for tolerance to biotic stresses and 80 accessions for nitrogen uptake. A considerable

number of publications were produced during the last year on topics related to PGR

including scientific papers, research reports, conference papers, theses and books.

9.3 Iraq

The total number of accessions conserved at the Iraqi genebank is 3500 accessions by

2012. A total of 150 accessions were regenerated during both seasons of 2010-2011 and

2011-2012. This is in addition to the continued germplasm collection missions.

9.4 Jordan

Collection and ex-situ conservation for PGR continued during the last year by the

National Genebank in Jordan bringing the total number of accessions conserved to more

than 4000 accessions. Among the new collections were 72 accessions of wild barley

genetic resources collected from 30 sites in Jordan during May 2012. Exchanging of PGR

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materials continued during 2011 and 2012 with a total of 250 accessions being

exchanged. This included some of the materials provided on the basis of the Standard

Material Transfer Agreement for the crops in Annex 1 of the ITPGRFA.

9.5 Kuwait

The total number of accessions conserved by the Seed Bank Unit of native plants in

Kuwait increased to 296 accessions from 81 species during the last year. Passport and

storage data on these collections are well documented through database established for

this purpose. A database was established to document the flora of Kuwait and it is linked

to the geographical information system (GIS) in Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research

(KISR).

9.8 Oman

An important development in Oman has been the establishment of the Animal and Plant

Genetic resources Centre. Initiative was taken by the Animal and Plant Genetic Resources

Centre to establish a national database for plants, animal, marine, and microorganisms

species. In May 2012, a workshop was organized by The Research Council and

Bioversity International, for concerned stakeholders, to explore the opportunity to use the

GRIN-Global as the platform for such database.

9.9 Saudi Arabia

The Plant Genebank in King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology has been

exerting efforts to conserve seed samples of some of the important plant species in Saudi

Arabia such as wheat, barley, sorghum and garlic. A number of projects have been

initiated and are currently under implementation in this regard such as the projects on

conservation of the coffee plant genetic resources and conservation of wild plants.

9.10 Sudan

The total number of accessions conserved by the PGR Unit in Sudan reached 11474

accessions from different crops in 2012. 402 accessions of different crops such as pearl

millet and sesame have been morphologically characterized during the last year. A total

of 1195 accessions of sorghum, pearl millet and cowpea have safe duplicated during the

period 2010-2012 in Svalbard, ICRISAT and IITA. The available passport data on 11281

accessions have been uploaded on to the Data Portal of the Eastern Africa Plant Genetic

Resources Network in the internet during 2011. A catalogue on passport and

characterization data of sorghum genetic resources was prepared and made available in

the internet during 2012. Limited expansion in building infrastructure of the PGR Unit

was achieved from national budget during 2011.

9.11 Yemen

More than 6000 accessions have already been collected and conserved from genetic

resources of 74 crops. A National Strategy for Integrated Management of Genetic

Resources for Food Security and Sustainable Development was proposed in Yemen in

2011.

10. Outcomes of the meeting

The second regular CB meeting discussed the different items raised in the adopted agenda

throughout three days and made a number of decisions and recommendations on issues

related to these agenda items.

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10.1 Review and adoption of the Regional PGR strategy

The CB adopted the following decision on the Regional PGR strategy:

Considering that the PGR Regional Strategy was endorsed by the AARINENA

12th

General Conference, and

In view of the positive comments on the strategy by the countries members in

NENAPGRN,

The Coordinating Board agrees:

1. To take custody of this strategy and adopt it as a guiding document for its

activities,

2. Because of the valuable comments received from different countries on the

Strategy draft, all comments will be retained as an appendix to the Strategy

document.

3. In the light of the importance of these comments and the need to

accommodate them to the extent possible and feasible, it is agreed to

establish a small group to propose changes considered very necessary

within a period of three months. The small group is to be composed of

a. Dr. Abeer El Halawgi - Chair

b. Mr. Mansour Mohmmed Al-Dalas

c. Dr. Sobhia Saifan

d. Dr. Ahmad Abbasi

e. Dr. Fadilah Al Salameen

The CB delegated the Chair of the CB together with the Network Coordinator to finally

approve the Strategy document after submitted to them by the small group above.

10.2 Road map to establishment of the Regional Commission on Genetic Resources

The CB adopted the following decision on the establishment of the Regional Commission

on Genetic Resources:

NENAPGRN CB welcomed the endorsement of the Near East Regional

Conference of FAO on establishing the Regional Commission on Genetic

Resources.

Genetic resources constitute the corner stone of biological, agricultural and food

sectors, and Near East is a region very rich in genetic resources. The Regional

Commission, as described in paragraph 57 of the 31st FAO Regional Conference

for the Near East, can play a critical role in synergizing the coordinating efforts of

countries of the region for implementation of relevant international agreements in

agriculture and food sectors.

In view of relevance of the subject at hand, the CB agreed to establish a small

group to look in the matter and advise the CB of the steps that are required

towards the fulfillment of this important endeavour [composition of the group is to

be considered by the Network Executive Committee]. The group is to consider,

among other things, the possibility of the following:

- Request the regional FAO Office to include in its programme of work:

14

1. Decide on preparing draft texts as Terms of Reference (TOR) and

Rules of Procedure (ROP).

2. Invite countries of the region to hold a meeting and agree on the TOR

and ROP.

3. Submit them to the 32nd

Near East Regional Conference in Baghdad,

2014 for its approval.

The NENAPGRN would avail itself to assist the process of the establishment of the

Regional Commission and continue to work closely with that.

10.3 Financial requirements for the operation of the network

In the Endeavour to have sustained financial resources for the Network all ideas and

views expressed during the meeting were accepted by the CB. However, CB adopted the

following recommendation for AARINENA to consider and to obtain the endorsement of

governments of member countries:

- Each member country to pay an annual fixed fee of one thousand US Dollars

(US$ 1000) to AARINENA in order to be used exclusively by the NENAPGRN

for activities related to the Network.

10.4 Proposal for restructuring of the TWGs

The proposal by the Coordinator to modify the Technical Working Group to be Thematic

Working Groups was endorsed by the CB as accepted concept. However, CB considered

it too early to get into identifying these groups at present, and the issue must be revisited

in the future when the needs arise and necessary conditions and resources are available.

The CB considered it highly important at present to concentrate on making itself visible

and promote its existence. An ad hoc task force was formed by the CB and requested to

work on developing the necessary plan for the promotion of the Network. The task force

was composed of:

- Dr. Sobhia Saifan, Chair of the Network Board, as a chair for the task force

- Dr. Ali H. Al Lawati (Oman)

- Dr. Mohamed Fawzy Nawar (ICARDA)

- Dr. Magdi Latif (FAO/RNE)

10.5 Implementation of the regional PGR strategy

The CB endorsed two decisions on the implementation of the regional PGR Strategy that

are related to the proposed workshop in Oman and development of an action plan.

10.5.1 The proposed workshop on the implementation of the regional PGR strategy

The CB welcomed the initiative by Sultanate of Oman to support and organize a

workshop devoted for discussing issues related to the implementation of the regional PGR

Strategy. The CB thanked Oman for such initiative and endorsed the proposed theme for

this workshop. It requested the new Chair of the CB, the Network Coordinator to work

together with Dr. Ali Al Lawati in developing the agenda and structure for this workshop

and closely collaborate with the concerned national authorities in Sultanate of Oman to

ensure the optimum organization of such workshop.

15

10.5.2 Development of an action plan

The CB found it necessary to develop an action plan for implementation by the Network

during the coming three years (2013-2015). This action plan has to be developed on the

basis of the adopted regional PGR Strategy. The Executive Committee was requested to

develop this action plan and to make a proposed draft of it ready for further discussion

during the workshop in Oman on the implementation of the regional PGR Strategy.

10.6 Formation of the Network Executive Committee

The CB selected the representatives of different sub-regions in the Network Executive

Committee (EC) for the period 2012-2014 as following:

- Arabian Peninsula: Kuwait.

- Maghreb: Morocco.

- Mashreg: Jordan.

- Nile Valley and Red Sea: Egypt.

- Western Asia: Iran.

The EC was requested to hold a meeting in Oman during the workshop intended to be

held there before the end of the year.

10.7 Election of the Network Board Chair for 2012-2014

Jordan was selected by the meeting as the next chair of the Network Board for the coming

period of 2012-2014.

10.8 Venue for the third regular meeting of the Network Board

The meeting decided to have the third regular meeting of the Network Board in Jordan

during 2014. The Coordinator was requested to determine the most appropriate date for

the meeting in consultation with the Chair and the national authorities in the hosting

country.

11. Closing of the meeting

At the closing of the meeting the Chair, Dr. Ali Al Lawati, thanked all who contributed to

the success of this meeting. Special thanks were made to the Arab Republic of Egypt for

hosting the meeting. The National Genebank of Egypt was so much thanked for the

excessive efforts exerted by it as an institute to organize this successful meeting. The

guidance of Dr. Hanaiya El Itriby, the president of the Natioanl Genebank, together with

keen close following of Dr. Abeer El Halwagi, Egypt representative in the Network, and

the different staff members were very much appreciated. FAO/RNE was thanked and

appreciated very much for the considerable financial support it made to hold this meeting.

The role of Dr. Magdi Latif in this regard and in participation in the meeting has been

very much appreciated. Thanks were made to ICARDA for its continuous institutional

support to the Network and the sustained active contributions and initiatives for making

this Network effective.

Special thanks were made to Dr. Mohamed Zehni, for his attendance and continued

significant contributions during the meeting. His guidance and willingness to continue

supporting the network were highly appreciated.

Dr. Javad Mozafari, Director of National Genebank of Iran, and the present Chair of the

Governing Body of the ITPGRFA, was also thanked very much for his participation and

significant contributions during the sessions of the meeting.

16

The participation of the ICARDA, FAO Headquarters and FAO/RNE was acknowledged

and very much appreciated. Thanks were extended in this regard to Dr. Mohamed Fawzy

Nawar (ICARDA), Dr. Kakoli Ghosh (FAO) and Dr. Dost Muhammed (FAO/RNE).

The participants were so grateful to the Executive Secretary of AARINENA, Dr. Ibrahim

Hamdan, for his personal support and continuous follow-up and advice and for the

significant major support AARINENA Secretariat has made financially and logistically to

organize this meeting. The meeting was so grateful to Dr. Mohammed Alajlouni,

representative of the AARINENA Secretariat in the meeting, for his participation and

keen active contributions during the different sessions of the meeting. In this regard

AARINENA Secretariat staff, especially, Mrs. Hazar Nazal, was very much

acknowledged and appreciated for her significant roles played during the preparation

phase of this meeting.

Thanks were then extended to all member countries who participated in the meeting for

their dedication and active contributions.

The Coordinator expressed on behalf of the CB members their gratitude and appreciation

to Dr. Ali H. Al Lawati, the Chair of the CB, for his dedication and excellent guidance for

the CB during the last year.

At the end of the meeting Dr. Hanaiya El Itriby, president of the National Genebank of

Egypt, made a brief speech acknowledging the selection of Egypt for holding this meeting

and thanking all participants for coming, and wishing all the best for safe nice traveling

back homes.

17

Annex 1.

11 List of participants (official represenatatives)

No. Name Country Organization Position Address

1 Abeer El Halwagi EGYPT National Genebank &

Genetic Resources,

Egypt

Senior Researcher 9 El-Gamaa St., ARC

Giza 12619, Egypt

Email: [email protected]

2 Ahmad Abbasi

Moghaddam

IRAN National Plant Genebank

of Iran (NPGI)

Seed & Plant

Improvement Institute

(SPII)

Deputy Director of

National Plant

Genebank

Shahid Fahmideh Avenue

Karaj, Iran

Email: [email protected]

[email protected]

3 Sanaa Abdul Wahab Al

Sheick

IRAQ PGR Unit

Iraqi Gene Bank

Tel: (+964) 7902-328-396

E-mail: [email protected]

4 Sobhia Saifan JORDAN National Centre for

Agricultural Research &

Extension (NCARE)

Genetic Resources

unit coordinator

PO Box 639, Baq’aa 19381

Jordan

Email: [email protected]

[email protected]

5 Fadilah Al Salameen KUWAIT Kuwait Institute of

Scientific Research

Researcher P.O Box: 24885 safat, 13109 Kuwait

Email: [email protected]

[email protected]

6 Ali H. Al Lawati OMAN The Research Council

Director, Department

of Research

Administration

Office: +968 24509891

Fax: +968 24509820

P.O. Box 1422, Al-Athaiba 130,

Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.

www.trc.gov.om

Email:

[email protected]

18

[email protected]

7 Khalid Abdulaziz AlSaawi SAUDI

ARABIA

Natural Resources and

Environmental Research

Institute

King Abdulaziz City for

Science and Technology

P.O. 6086

Riyadh-11442

Saudi Arabia

E Mail: Kalsaewi@ kacst.edu.sa

8 El Tahir Ibrahim Mohamed SUDAN Agricultural Research

Corporation

Head, Plant Genetic

Resources Unit

P. O. Box 126, Wad Medani, Sudan

Email: [email protected]

9 Mansour Mohmmed AL-

DALAS

YEMEN Head of the irrigated

production system,

Sana’a Yemen

Name: Mr. Mansour Mohmmed AL-

DALAS

His position: Head of the irrigated

production system,

Institute :Northern Highlands Agricultural

Research Station-

Al-Eraa, Sana’a

His address :

Mr. Mansour Mohmmed AL-DALAS

Sana’a

Mobile: ++967- 773637003

E-mail: [email protected]

10 Mohammed Alajlouni AARINENA <[email protected]

11 Hanaiya El-Itriby

EGYPT National Genebank &

Genetic Resources,

Egypt

President, National

Genebank

National Gene Bank (NGB),

Agriculture Research Center (ARC),

Ministry of Agriculture & Land

Reclamation (MALR)

9 Gamaa St., Giza 12619 (Egypt)

Phone: +202 35693241

Fax : +202 35693240

19

12 Mail:

[email protected]

12 Mohamed Sidki Zehni

Lypia Consultant Address: 149 Triq il Qasam, Swieqi

Malta SWQ 3029

Email: [email protected]

Mobile: +356 99260793

13 Javad Mozafari

IRAN National Plant Gene-

Bank of Iran

(NPGBI), Seed and Plant

Improvement

Institute (SPII)

Shahid Fahmideh St.

Karaj

Iran

Tel: (98) 261 2701260

Fax: (98) 261 2716793

Email:

[email protected]

14 Mohamed Fawzy Nawar

ICARDA,

SYRIA

International Centre for

Agricultural Research in

the Dry Areas

(ICARDA)

Senior documentation

Specialist

Genetic Resources

Section

P.O. Box 5466, Aleppo

Syrian Arab Republic

Email: [email protected]

15 Magdi Latif

United Nations FAO

Regional Office for the

Near East and North

Africa

Regional Knowledge

and Information

Management Officer

Cairo, Egypt

Cell: 201001772187

Tel: 202 33316000 (ext.2903)

Fax: 202 37495981

Web: http://neareast.fao.org

16 Dost Muhammad

Food and Agriculture

Organization of the

United Nations

Regional Office for the

Near East

Multi-disciplinary team

Plant Production

Officer

13 Al Eslah El Zerai St.

PO Box 2223, Dokki-Cairo

Egypt

Email:

[email protected]

Tel. Office +202 3331 6000 Ext.

21

for Oriental Near East

(SNO)

2806

Fax: +202 3749 5981

Mobile: +010178 2408

Web: http://www.fao.org;

http://www.fao.org/world/regional/rne

17 Kakoli Ghosh

Team Lead, Seed and

Plant Genetic Resources

Agriculture Department

FAO, Rome, Italy

Ghosh, Kakoli (AGPM)

<[email protected]>

B. Other participants

Country Organization Position Name

Egypt NGB of Egypt Researcher assistant Hassan Ahmed

Egypt IDRC of Canada Senior program officer Laamrani Hammou

Egypt IDRC of Canada Researcher officer Layal Dandach

Egypt NGB of Egypt Researcher assistant Mohamed Fawzy

Egypt NGB of Egypt Researcher assistant Mohamed Samy

Egypt NGB of Egypt Director of Taxonomy Department Reda Rizk

21

Annex 2

AGENDA and Programme

Day Time Item Name

Day ONE

18 Sep. 2012

09:00- 09:45

Opening Session

- Welcome Statement by NENAPGRN CB Chair

- Cosponsoring Organizations Statement:

1. FAO Regional Representative

2. AARINENA Representative

- Hosting country statements:

1. President of the National Genebank of Egypt

2. Dr. Gamal Sarhan , Vice president, ARC

9:45-10:00 1. Adoption of Agenda

2. Reporting on the network activities since June 2011

10:00- 10:20 General Report Coordinator

10:20- 10:40 General Discussion

10:40-11:10 Coffee break

3. Review and adoption of the Regional PGR strategy

11:10-11:40 General overview

Dr. Mohamed Zehni

11:40-12:10 Country Feedbacks Coordinator

12:10-14:10 General Discussion

14:10-15:10 Lunch

Country updating reports

15:10-15:25 Egypt Dr. Abeer El Halwagi

15:25-15:40 Iran Dr Ahmad Abbasi Moghaddam

15:40-15:55 Iraq Mrs Sanaa Abdul Wahab

15:55-16:10 Jordan Dr. Sobhia Saifan

16:10-16:25 Kuwait Dr. Fadilah Al Salameen

16:25-16:40 General Discussion

Day TWO

19 Sep. 2012

4. Information needs assessment as an integral component in the

proposed PGR strategy and roadmap for the development of PGR

network (Dr. Magdi Latif)

09:00-09:30 Presentation: Information and Communication Management

for Rural and Agricultural Development in Near East and

North Africa Region (AARINENA.RAIS/ICM4ARD):

Outputs and Lessons Learned

09:30-10:30 Working Groups - Session I on Type of PGR Information

Content Available and Required and the mechanisms to

access and share information content.

10:30-11:00 Coffee break

11:00-12:00 Working Group - Session II on Key Issues Affecting the

Development of a Regional PGR Information

System/Network

12:00-12:30 Plenary Session: Presentation of the Outcomes of Working

Groups.

22

12:30-13:00 Presentation: Roadmap/Concept Note for the Development

of PGR Information and Knowledge Network

Wrap up and Recommendations

13:00 – 14:00 Lunch

Country updating reports (Continue) 14:00-15:30

14:00-14:15 Oman Dr. Ali H. Al Lawati

14:15-14:30 Saudi Arabia Mr Khalid Abdulaziz AlSaawi

14:30-14:45 Sudan Dr. El Tahir Ibrahim Mohamed

14:45-15:00 Yemen Mr. Mansour Mohmmed Al-Dalas

15:00-15:30 General Discussion

15:30 – 16:00 Coffee Break

5. Road map to establishment of the Regional Commission on Genetic

Resources in Near East

16:00-16:20 Presentation Dr. Javad Mozafari

16:20-17:00 General Discussion

Day THREE

20 Sep. 2012

6. Financial requirements for the operation of the network

9:00- 10:00 General Discussion

7.Work plan for 2012 - 2014

10:00-10:15 Proposal for restructuring of the

TWGs

Coordinator

10:15 -11:00 Discussion

11:00 – 11:30 Coffee break

11:30- 12:15 Formation of Network Executive Committee (EC)

12:15 – 13:15 Implementation of the PGR strategy

13:15-14:15 Lunch

14:15-14:45 Finalization of the work plan for 2012-2014

14:45-15:00 Election of the CB chair for the coming rotation

15:00-15:15 Next meetings of the EC and CB: venues and dates

15:15-15:30 Closing of the meeting