Mr. Bouari Holds a Strategic Meeting with the Director General of ICARDA to Strengthen Scientific Cooperation Between Morocco and the CGIAR/ICARDA Group
On January 30, 2025, a high-level meeting was held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests in Rabat, bringing together Mr. Ahmed Bouari, Minister of Agriculture, and Mr. Aly Abousabaa, Director General of ICARDA (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas). This meeting, attended by several senior officials and experts, aimed to strengthen scientific collaboration between the Ministry—through the National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA)—and the CGIAR group, particularly ICARDA, in the field of agricultural research.
Key Participants in the Strategic Meeting..
Among the distinguished attendees were:
Mr. Arrach R., Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture;
Mr. Beccerra A., Deputy Director General for Research at ICARDA;
Mr. Bekkaoui F., Representative of the Ministry of Agriculture;
Mr. Moussadek R., Senior Scientist and ICARDA-INRA Liaison;
Mr. Kehel Z., Representative of ICARDA.
Advancing Resilient Agriculture
During the meeting, Mr. Aly Abousabaa provided a comprehensive overview of the research initiatives undertaken by ICARDA and CGIAR in Morocco and the CWANA region (Central and West Asia and North Africa). These initiatives focus on promoting climate-resilient agriculture through sustainable management of water and soil resources and biodiversity conservation under increasing climate stress.
The Director General of ICARDA also presented the main pillars of the new strategy for agriculture in dryland areas, designed to address the specific challenges of these regions. This strategy aligns with Morocco’s national priorities, particularly within the framework of the “Generation Green” strategy, and the CGIAR initiatives, which aim to transform food systems and enhance food security.
Renewed Commitment to Strengthening Cooperation
At the conclusion of the meeting, Mr. Ahmed Bouari, on behalf of the Moroccan government, commended the remarkable efforts made by CGIAR and ICARDA over the past four decades to support food security in Morocco. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to enhancing this strategic collaboration, providing support for research and development initiatives that contribute to the modernization and sustainability of Moroccan agriculture.
“This collaboration with ICARDA and CGIAR is essential to addressing climate challenges and ensuring resilient and sustainable agriculture in Morocco. We are determined to pursue and strengthen this partnership within the framework of the ‘Generation Green’ strategy and CGIAR’s new initiatives,” stated the Minister.
A New Milestone for Agricultural Research in Morocco..
This meeting marks a significant step in the Morocco-ICARDA partnership, reinforcing their shared commitment to promoting innovative and climate-adaptive agriculture, while ensuring food security and sustainable rural development.
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