The various project activities undertaken in the Region are described in this section in terms of their contribution to meet the three institutional objectives. 

Strengthening National Programs

Strengthening national programs is a long-term process involving a variety of stakeholders. IPGRI’s efforts in the region is twofold: enhancing national Plant Genetic Resources capacities to build up self-sustainable programs and canvass the widest possible participation of stakeholders at the national level. The latter involves:

the establishment of national coordination committees

convening nation wide stakeholders workshops that aim at development of a national strategy

work plans with clear roles identified for each stakeholder.

IPGRI assists in obtaining the wide endorsement and commitment necessary for a successful implementation of the agreed work plan.

Key achievements

Human resources development

• In total, 252 researchers from 27 countries in CWANA have been trained by IPGRI during the period 1996-2000. Ten researchers from five countries in CWANA have received their MSc. degree through IPGRI’s supervision and two students have registered for PhD at local Universities in the region. Forty-eight technicians have received on the job training and 13 short technical courses have been organized during this period. The first ever post-graduate degree program in PGR has been launched in Lebanon in 1999.

• Training material on management of seed gene banks and eco-geographic surveying and sampling modules have been translated in regional languages (Russian and Arabic).

Public Awareness

• 22 issues of the regional CWANA Newsletter have been produced and disseminated to more than 1,279 readers in 29 countries during 1996-2000. Since 1996, the Newsletter is also being disseminated through the Internet.

• A video on community participation in Nebek, Syria produced in 1999.

• Guidelines for the production of national Public Awareness strategies produced in 1998.

Assistance in development of project proposals

• Seven proposals have been developed with the IPGRI-CWANA Group playing a key role during the period 1996-2000. Of these, four 5-year projects (for a total budget of more than US$10 Million) are in various phases of approval or early implementation. These Projects are: “Participatory management of PGR in the Oases of the Maghreb”, “In situ/on farm conservation of agricultural biodiversity in Central Asia", "Conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity in Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine and Syria" and "In situ conservation of crop wild relatives through enhanced information management and field application - Uzbekistan component".

• Provision of advice on policy and legal issues of PGR and Agrobiodiversity.

Strengthening International Collaboration

Key achievements

• West Asia and North Africa (WANANET) is currently being restructured with a view to broadening its participatory base, increasing its self-sustainability and enhancing its effectiveness through the adoption of modern E-communication and information technology. A feasibility study to assess information technology and communication capacities has been undertaken in six CWANA countries through visits and a questionnaire survey during 1999.    

• In April 1999, a new office has been established in Tashkent, Uzbekistan and a new regional network, the Central Asia Trans Caucasian Network (CATCN-PGR), has been set up with full official representation from member countries in nine thematic and crop working groups.

• A regional data base on passport data for forest and fruit tree species has been produced in July 2000 and will be on the internet before the end of 2000.

Development and Dissemination of Knowledge & Technologies

Key achievements

• Surveying mapping and sampling methodologies for underutilized and forest species

• More than 1,659 samples of diverse plant species have been collected during the period 1996-2000 in CWANA   

• A study on National satellite networking in Egypt

• Upgrading of gene bank facilities in Libya

• Development of a new application for management of forage genetic resources data in Morocco

• Application of Geographic Information System / spatial modeling techniques to documenting and analyzing Plant Genetic Resources data

• Development of an action program to conserve and use pomegranate genetic resources in CWANA.