FAO and IFAD convene first meeting of nominated focal points of Arab Forum for Rural Advisory Services (AFRAS)

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have virtually convened the first meeting for the Arab Forum for Rural Advisory Services (AFRAS) group officially nominated as focal points. The meeting highlighted AFRAS progress thus far, the proposed tasks and responsibilities of AFRAS focal points and the way forward including the official launch of AFRAS.

AFRAS is dedicated to promoting networking, cross learning, experience sharing and knowledge management on extension and rural advisory services (RAS) in the Arab region. The forum is envisaged to operate under the umbrella of the Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS), hence joining the array of existing regional networks of RAS across the globe.

So far ministries of agriculture of Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Oman, Palestine and Sudan have nominated focal points to liaise with AFRAS Secretariat and bring forward AFRAS mission at the regional and country level. Focal points were also nominated by the Association of Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East and North Africa (AARINENA); the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) and the National Agricultural Research Center (NARC) of Jordan. The group of AFRAS focal points is expected to grow in the coming weeks with additional focal points nominated by governments and organizations from across the Near East and North Africa.​

During the meeting, participating focal points representing Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, AARINENA and NARC-Jordan expressed appreciation for the progress so far and full commitment to AFRAS mission, leveraging as feasible existing and future interventions in their respective countries, also in relation to the potential establishment of AFRAS country fora.

Reflecting on the AFRAS journey so far, May Hani, FAO Senior Programme Officer, welcomed the officially nominated focal points and recognized their central role as RAS champions within their respective ministries and institutions. As highlighted by Nadhem Mtimet, IFAD Senior Regional Technical Specialist, ‘voice’ and ‘presence’ at the country and regional level lie at heart of the AFRAS focal points’ mandate and constitute a key element of AFRAS success.

The first meeting of AFRAS officially nominated focal points represents another key milestone towards the launch of AFRAS, planned during the first months of 2024.