According to the 1996 FAO State of the World Report, there are comparatively few national program in the CWANA region. However, over the last 4 to 5 years greater awareness on biodiversity issues has resulted in unprecedented attention in this region to PGR conservation and use aspects. The CWANA group is seizing these opportunities and has created a special activity to bring together all the efforts deployed to assist countries currently engaged in the establishment and strengthening of new and existing ex situ/in situ conservation facilities, and PGR national coordination mechanisms

Development of the National Genebank of Egypt

In February 1999, IPGRI CWANA staff took part to a GTZ-supported appraisal mission to assess the current situation of PGR conservation and use in Egypt. Recommendations provided through this mission have been fully endorsed by senior officials of the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, who have since started to actively support the PGR national program in that country. In 2003 the programme has been re-organized into "The National Genebank of Egypt" with two major ex-situ conservation facilities under the Ministry of Agriculture in Bahteen and Sheikh Zouayed. 

Establishing a new ex situ conservation facilities

A team of experts comprising two CWANA staff visited Libya in 1998 to assess the country needs for an ex situ conservation facility. This feasibility study was supported by IFAD which subsequently also support the recommended facility. IPGRI CWANA is the implementing agency for this task. The facility has been completed in 2002.

Strengthening PGR national programs in the Arabian Peninsula 

Assessments and efforts that should be leading to the establishment of PGR national programs are taking place also in Saudi Arabia, Oman and Yemen. In these countries CWANA staff have been asked to provide advice and take a leading role in Stakeholders’ national workshops that will be organized in 2000 and 2001. In particular, CWANA staff have played a significant role in fostering the cooperation at the national level in Yemen, which resulted in the establishment of a National PGR Committee and a PGR Center at the Sana’a University.

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Enhancing the use of pomegranate in CWANA

Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a priority species for CWANA. Calls for greater attention to this underutilized fruit tree, have been made at the national, regional and international fora. Research is needed to better study and conserve the genetic diversity of its cultivated varieties and wild species, the latter occurring only in Central Asia and in the island of Socotra, Yemen. Following an expert consultation meeting organized by C05 Project staff in March 2000 in Tunisia, a work plan for pomegranate was developed for the years 2000 and 2001. Priority activities recommended at this meeting included:

the production of a descriptor list for Punica spp.

the assessment of the germplasm collection maintained by Turkmenistan (the largest in the world, but very poorly documented)

the initiation of a MSc degree study on pomegranate in Syria

the launching of germplasm surveys and collecting missions in Libya. Part of these recommendations have been taken up by C05 and work has begun with:

- the translation of the descriptor list in Russian to allow the involvement of Russian speaking experts

- the study that will be undertaken by CWANA staff and Tunisian experts in Turkmenistan on the assessment of germplasm collection production of a catalogue and PA booklet to seek donors support for the maintenance of the collection

- the initiation of a MSc research study to assess diversity and uses in Syria.

The work carried out through this sub-activity also contributes to strengthening collaboration with CIHEAM (Network on Underutilized Fruit Trees) and will provide opportunities for on-the-job training.

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Characterization and documentation of melon diversity in Uzbekistan

The amount of diversity and the quality level of melon varieties in Central Asia is perhaps one of the most impressive in the world. This sub-activity was created in response to a call from Uzbek partners for improving the documentation of the unique diversity of melons (Citrullus ) present in their country. The main partner of this work is the Uzbek Research Institute of Plant Industry, Tashkent, a leading center on melon research in the region. Germplasm collecting activities have been carried out in 1998 and 1999 and multiplication, characterization and evaluation activities will take place in 2000.A basic step towards the strengthening of the conservation capacities for melon in Central Asia will be accomplished as a result of this work. A national germplasm catalogue of local Uzbek varieties has been produced in 2003. 

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