1

Association of Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East and North Africa

(AARINENA)

Vol. 25 No. 2 Biannual Newsletter July - December 2020

Executive Committee

(Sudan) Dr. Adil Abdelrahim President:

(Morocco) Dr. Rachid Dahan Vice President

Representative of West

and Central Asian Sub-

Region:

(Kuwait) Dr. Fadila Salameen Members:

(Morocco) Dr. Rachid Dahan

(Jordan) Dr. Nizar Haddad

(Yemen) Dr. Abdullah Alolofi

(ICARDA) Dr. Hassan Machlab

(GFAR) To be nominated

(ICBA) Miss. Seta Tutingun

(CSOs) To be nominated

(AARINENA) Dr. Rida A. Shibli

Editorial Committee

Administrative Assistant

Isra’a I. Odat

Executive Secretary

Dr. Rida A. Shibli

2

Contents Page

Introduction 3

MoU with Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation 3

Memorandum of Agreement between AARU, AARINENA and ISAAA 5

Partnership Agreement with the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) 6

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST) 7

New member of AARINENA: College of Prince El-Hassan bin Talal Faculty for Arid Lands & College of Natural Resources and Environment, Hashemite University

9

Partnership Agreement with Jordan Society for Scientific Research, Entrepreneurship, and Creativity 9

Meeting with Dr. Nabil Assaf, FAO, Jordan 10

Participation in Date Change- 35th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for the Near East (NERC-35) 10

Activation of AARINENA’s Networks and Sub-Networks 11

First Meeting for AARINENA Networks and Sub-networks 11

Second Meeting for AARINENA Networks and Sub-networks 12

Participation in “Your consultant for agricultural production” webinar by ICBA, July 19, 2020 14

Participation in Expert Panel Meetings (Short Program and Online Survey Results) 14

Participation with Roundtable Discussion on Conservation Agriculture, Nov. 12, 2020 14

Participate in the Scientific day “Control Cereal Army Worm in Wheat and Barley Fields”, Mutah University 14

AARINENA and NARC-Jordan Webinar (Olive Sector in Jordan-by Dr. Salam Ayoub), Nov. 12, 2020 15

Participation in the Arab Academy for Science 2020 Conference, Nov. 18-19, 2020 15

Participation with webinar (the environmental importance of date palms) 15

Participation in a webinar “Integrated Management Initiative for Palm Pest Control (Our Palm)” by Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, Nov. 25, 2020.

15

AARINENA's Webinars with Islamic World Academy of Sciences (IAS) 16

Participation in the 22nd Islamic Academy for Science Conference, Dec. 1, 2020 17

AARINENA coordinated with Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute (LARI) – Lebanon, Dec. 7, 2020 17

Trilateral Webinar between AARINENA & AARU & ISAAA “Global trends and impacts of biotech crops & ISAAA’s potential role in Arab region”, Dec. 9, 2020.

17

Trilateral Workshop between AARINENA, Jordan Society for Scientific Research, Entrepreneurship, and Creativity and Mutah University “The Scientific Day on Date Palm”, Dec. 22, 2020

18

3

AARINENA Newsletter Jan-June 2020

Introduction The year 2020 has fundamentally altered the world’s life and working habits, in different

ways due to the Pandemic of COVID 19. Webinars, workshops and meetings took place online such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams that enabled the co-presence of colleagues and members in different activities. This has been crucial for AARINENA and its stakeholders to draw on this shared presence for interaction and intellectual exchange. In some ways, frequent online meetings have enriched our experience and opened new opportunities for collaboration and interaction.

Below our activities are summarized:

MoU between AARINENA & Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation

4

Under the guidance of H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Tolerance, President of the Board of Trustees of Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, the General Secretariat of the Award signed a Memorandum of understanding remotely on 21, June 2020 with the Association of Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East and North Africa (AARINENA) to develop date palm cultivation and date production.

The signing ceremony took place remotely through the virtual communication platform (Microsoft teams) on Sunday, June 21, 2020 in the presence of Dr. Abdelouahhab Zaid, Secretary General of the Award, with Dr. Rida Shibli, Executive Secretary of the Association of Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East and North Africa (AARINENA).

MoU Aims to strengthen the bonds of cooperation in date palm research and training fields, and to prepare studies and proposals for joint projects in the areas of community development, agricultural reform and rural development at the national and regional levels, while providing technical and economic advisory services and technical support in matters of common date palm sector interest.

Also, it aims to strengthen the bonds of cooperation in agricultural training and exchange of experiences and knowledge of common interest related to date palms and agricultural innovation.

The Award’s Secretary General said that the signing of the present memorandum of understanding remotely comes within the framework of the Awards commitment to all precautionary measures to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), and a new proof of the high credibility achieved by the Award in the development of the date palm sector at the national, regional and international levels. Thanks to the guidance and support of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs, the first supporter of palm cultivation, and the continuous follow-up of H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Tolerance, President of the Award’s Board of Trustees.

5

Memorandum of Agreement between AARU, AARINENA and ISAAA

Memorandum of Agreement was signed virtually on July 18, 2020 between three parties as follows:

Dr. Amr Ezzat Salama, Secretary General, The Association of Arab Universities (AARU), Dr. Rida Shibli, The Executive Secretary, Association of Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East & North Africa (AARINENA) and Dr. Mahaletchumy Arujanan, Global Coordinator, International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA).

AARU, AARINENA and ISAAA, mutually recognize the need to share knowledge and experiences on all aspects of biosciences and emerging Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) in order to strengthen the capacity of students to evaluate, regulate, and deploy new innovations in a safe and responsible way;

ISAAA, AARINENA and AARU mutually recognize the need to collaborate and pool resources for the service of the above institutional objectives, and likewise affirm their commitment for the advancement of Science, Technology and Innovation as well as sustainable agricultural development in the Near East and North Africa Region (NENA Region) and Arab universities.

The parties hereby agree to: 1. Work together in capacity building in communicating research, regulation and

bioscience innovations effectively; 2. Jointly develop, produce and disseminate Information, Education and

Communications (IEC) materials targeting various key stakeholders in the Near East and North Africa Region (NENA Region) and Arab universities using a multi-media approach;

3. Build science communication skills in the Near East and North Africa Region (NENA Region) and Arab universities.

6

Partnership Agreement Between the Royal Society for the

Conservation of Nature (RSCN) & the Association of Agricultural

Research Institutions in the Near East & North Africa (AARINENA)

Partnership Agreement signed on July 21, 2020 between the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) & the Association of Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East & North Africa (AARINENA)

The Conservation of Nature (RSCN) represented by Eng. Yahya Khaled, the Director General of RSCN, and the Association of Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East & North Africa (AARINENA) represented by Dr. Rida Shibli, the Executive Secretary of AARINENA signed the partnership agreement aimed to develop and support frameworks for cooperation in the mechanisms of scientific research and the agricultural sector.

Both parties agreed on these cooperation commitments:

7

The Parties agree to strengthen cooperation in the fields of research and training where each party shall invite the other party to participate in training programs of common interest.

To cooperate in the use of various devices and tools available to the parties to implement and facilitate joint work.

To provide technical and economic advisory services and technical support in matters of mutual interest, promoting the exchange of ideas and experiences, and promoting cooperative activities.

The Parties shall organize and hold seminars and workshops of common interest. Each party attach great importance to inform other party about the joint activities of the

various media, the main media, the radio and the means of social communication.

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Between the Higher Council

for Science and Technology (HCST) & Association of Agricultural

Research Institutions in the Near East & North Africa (AARINENA)

8

The Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST) represented by Dr. Dia’ El-deen Arafah, the Secretary General of HCST and the Association of Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East & North Africa (AARINENA) represented by Dr. Rida Shibli, the Executive Secretary of AARINENA signed a memorandum of understanding on July 22, 2020 aimed to achieve fruitful and constructive cooperation between the Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST) and the AARINENA and in common areas of interest (research, training and any topics agreed upon), and to develop and support frameworks for cooperation in the mechanisms of scientific research and technical services in the agricultural sector.

Dr. Shibli said that (AARINENA) is keen to communicate and cooperate with institutions of

common interest in promoting agricultural, rural development and developing agricultural research and technology inside and outside the region with the aim of advancing the development process and advancing workers in the agricultural sector to be able to present their mission and job in the required manner with high efficiency and professionalism. Dr. Shibli expressed his happiness in the agreement with the HCST, which works to employ science and technology to serve the goals of economic, social and cultural development in Jordan, and works to keep pace with local and global changes.

Dr. Arafa pointed out that the HCST is working hard to build the national scientific and technological capabilities and work to develop them continuously by increasing awareness of the importance of applied scientific research, and providing the necessary support for scientific and technological activities, and networking between researchers and research, production and service institutions locally and internationally, thereby contributing to achieving national goals in these areas.

The Memorandum of Understanding included promoting the exchange of information and expertise in the fields of research and training, facilitating and using the various devices and tools available to parties to implement joint work and providing services and experiences and directing agricultural activity within the national priorities and goals, through specialized seminars and workshops.

9

College of Prince El-Hassan bin Talal Faculty for Arid Lands & College

of Natural Resources and Environment, Hashemite University

Faculty of Prince El-Hassan bin Talal for Arid Lands and Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Hashemite University has joined AARINENA on July 20, 2020 as a new member.

Partnership Agreement between Jordan Society for Scientific

Research, Entrepreneurship, and Creativity & Association of

Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East & North Africa

(AARINENA)

Jordan Society for Scientific Research, Entrepreneurship, and Creativity, represented by the Vice-President, Prof. Dr. Samih Abubaker, and the Association of Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East & North Africa (AARINENA), represented by the Executive Secretary of AARINENA, Prof. Dr. Rida Shibli, signed the partnership agreement on 25, July 2020 aimed to develop and support frameworks for cooperation in the mechanisms of scientific research and the agricultural sector.

Both parties agreed on these cooperation commitments:

10

(1) The Parties agree to strengthen cooperation in the fields of research and training where each party shall invite the other party to participate in training programs of common interest.

(2) To cooperate in the use of the various devices and tools available to the parties to implement and facilitate joint work.

(3) To provide technical and economic advisory services and technical support in matters of mutual interest, promoting the exchange of ideas and experiences, and promoting cooperative activities.

(4) The Parties shall organize and hold seminars and workshops of common interest. (5) Each party expressed great importance to inform other party about the joint activities

of the various media, the main media, the radio and the means of social communication.

Meeting with Dr. Nabil Assaf, FAO, Jordan

Dr. Shibli discussed with Dr. Nabil Assaf at FAO Amman office on September 10, 2020 the collaboration between both organizations and they planned to sign a Letter of Agreement (LOA) between AARINENA and FAO in the coming months.

Participation in Date Change- 35th Session of the FAO Regional

Conference for the Near East (NERC-35) 21 to 22 September 2020

(Int'l Org)

Dr. Shibli participated in the webinar: The Contribution of Agricultural Research and Innovation in Mitigating the Impact of COVID-19 in Africa's Agriculture and Food Systems on May 22, 2020, this important webinar supported by the African organization, FARA. (https://faraafrica.org/).

Objective: This webinar is the first in a series of e-forums the CAADP ex Pillar IV institutions was held to consult and sensitize stakeholders about the contribution of research and innovation in mitigating the impact of COVID-19 in Africa’s agriculture and food system.

11

Activation of AARINENA’s Networks and Sub-Networks

AARINENA activated its networks and sub-networks virtually using Zoom platform to meet

the members of each network. A series of virtual meetings were arranged for each

network every two months to discuss different challenges, new technologies and

proposal writing .

First meetings for all networks involved the following decisions:

1. Selecting one person to be a coordinator for the network (as below) .

2. The network members will have a virtual meeting every two month .

The coordinator for each network was selected as follows:

1. Biotechnology Network First Meeting, August 24, 2020: Dr. Henda Al-Mahmoudi,

International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), became the coordinator of

biotechnology network, also Dr. Naser Alkhalifah gave a presentation about

“Application of Agriculture Biotechnology Research in Saudi Arabia”.

2. Date Palm Network First Meeting, August 31, 2020: Dr. Muna Mashaal, National

Agricultural Research Center (NARC)-Jordan, became the coordinator of date palm

network.

3. Medicinal and Herbal Plants Network First Meeting, September 7, 2020: Dr. Ali Al

Lawati, Oman Animal and Plant Genetic Resources, became the coordinator of

medicinal and herbal plants network.

4. Olive Network First Meeting, September 14, 2020: Dr. Salam Ayoub, National

Agricultural Research Center (NARC)-Jordan, became the coordinator of olive

network.

5. Plant Genetic Resources Network First Meeting, September 21, 2020: Dr. Khaled

Abulaila, National Agricultural Research Center (NARC)-Jordan, became the

coordinator of Plant Genetic Resources network.

12

6. Water Use Efficiency Network First Meeting, September 28, 2020: Dr. Rachid

Mrabet, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA) – Morocco, became

the coordinator of Water Use Efficiency network.

7. Extension Network First Meeting, October 5, 2020: Eng. Maram Sawalha, National

Agricultural Researches Center (NARC)-Palestine, became the coordinator of

Extension network.

8. Agribusiness Sub-Network First Meeting, October 20, 2020: Dr. Masnat Al Hiyari,

National Agricultural Research Center (NARC) – Jordan, became the coordinator of

Agribusiness Sub-Network.

9. Honeybees Sub-Network First Meeting, November 8, 2020: Eng. Banan Alshgour,

National Agricultural Research Center (NARC) – Jordan, became the coordinator of

Honeybees Sub-Network.

Second Meeting for Activation Networks and Sub-Networks

➢ Biotechnology Network, October 25, 2020, involved the following:

✓ Presentation on BlackBerry by Dr. Ahmad El Bitar, Head of Plant Tissue Culture

unit/Biotechnology Lab, Lebanon.

✓ Presentation on Food Security in Kuwait: challenges and opportunities by Dr.

Fadilah Al Salameen, Manager of Biotechnology Program, Research Scientist,

KISR, Kuwait.

✓ Presentation on ARC research activities by Dr. Laila Younis, Agricultural

Research Center (ARC) - Libya.

✓ General discussions between members to improve the network activities.

➢ Date Palm Network, November 3, 2020, involved the following:

✓ Oral presentation about Date Palm Sector in Iraq, by Eng. Zaidoon Abbas

Hasan.

✓ Discussing research papers about Date Palm Weevil in Saudi Arabia from a

research perspective, by Dr. Hassan Y. Al Ayied, Saudi Arabia.

13

✓ Presentation about Bayoud disease reality and research carried out, by Dr.

Khelafi Hafida, Algeria.

➢ Medicinal and Herbal Plants Network, November 11, 2020, involved the following:

✓ Presentation about Diversity & Conservation of Hypericum triquetrifolium

Turra and its Potential Cultivation in Jordan, by Dr. Mohammed Refae'.

✓ Presentation about Medicinal and Herbal Plants activities at Jordan University

for Science and Technology, by Dr. Mohammad Al-Gharaibeh.

✓ Presentation about Medicinal Plants Operations in Oman Animal & Plant

Genetic Resources Center by Dr. Ali Al-Lawati.

➢ Olive Network, November 12, 2020, involved the following:

✓ Introduction for the members and their organizations and the discussions

about olive sector in Oman, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon.

✓ General Discussions about the olive sector in each country.

➢ Plant Genetic Resources, November 30, 2020, involved the following:

✓ General discussions about the plant genetic resources in the Arab countries.

✓ Presentation about “Crop Wild Relatives—Undervalued, Underutilized and

under Threat?” By Dr. Khaled Abulaila.

➢ Extension Networks, December 8, 2020, involved the following:

✓ General Discussion to prepare the Terms of References for the Extension

Network for the Arab countries.

➢ Agribusiness Sub-Networks, December 21, 2020 involved:

✓ The Water–Energy–Food Security Nexus: Challenges and Opportunities for

Food Security in Jordan by Dr. Masnat Al Hiary.

➢ Water Use Efficiency, December 24, 2020, involved:

✓ Green Generation 2020-2030 in Morocco by Dr. Rachid Mrabet.

14

Participation in “Your consultant for agricultural production” webinar by ICBA, July 19,2020

Participation in Expert Panel Meetings - Short Program and Online

Survey Results including the participation with expert panels, also added the results of the online survey to assess Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) - packages for each Agro-ecological zone (AEZ), August 2-5, 2020.

Participate in the Scientific day ‘control planting worm in wheat and

barley fields’, Mutah University, Oct. 22, 2020. Participation with Virtual Platform Roundtable Discussion on

Conservation Agriculture Nov. 12, 2020 The discussion followed a SWOT analysis focusing on the main theme and four sub-

themes of the 8WCCA (https://8wcca.org/congress-theme/) moderated by Dr. Rachid Mrabet (INRA)

15

AARINENA coordinated with the National Agricultural Research

Center (NARC) –Jordan

Webinar on “Olive Sector in Jordan” by Dr. Salam Ayoub in Nov. 12, 2020

Participation in the Arab Academy for Science 2020 Conference, Nov.

18-19, 2020. Participation in a webinar (the environmental importance of date

palms) by Friends of the Environment Association Nov. 21, 2020 Participation in a webinar “Integrated Management Initiative for

Palm Pest Control (Our Palm)” by Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, Nov. 25, 2020.

16

AARINENA's Webinars with Islamic World Academy of Sciences (IAS) AARINENA collaborated with Islamic World Academy of Sciences (IAS) in carrying on

different webinars as shown below:

17

Participation in the 22nd Islamic Academy for Science Conference,

December 1, 2020

AARINENA coordinated with Lebanese Agricultural Research

Institute (LARI) – Lebanon

A Webinar on “Olive and Olive Oil Sector in Lebanon” by Dr. Milad El-Riachy in Dec. 7,

2020

Trilateral Webinar between AARINENA & AARU & ISAAA “Global

trends and impacts of biotech crops & ISAAA’s potential role in

Arab region” that was held in Dec. 9, 2020.

18

Trilateral Workshop between AARINENA, Jordan Society for

Scientific Research, Entrepreneurship, and Creativity and Mutah

University, “The Scientific Day of Date Palm” Dec. 22, 2020