NEPAD Workshop Discusses Challenges for North Africa

Over 130 scientists from North African countries (Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania and Chad) attended the NEPAD biotechnology workshop in Ezzahra City, Tunisia to discuss the challenges for North Africa and the possibility for a regional integrated research program. NEPAD or the New Partnership for Africa's Development is a program of action of the African Union for the redevelopment of the African Continent.

Prof. Mahmoud Sakr, head of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology division of the Egyptian National Research Center reported that "Through NEPAD, there are now on-going research projects aimed at improving crops’ nutritional quality, and tolerance to drought and salt. A collaborating team from Egypt, Algeria and Tunisia succeeded in collecting valuable North African germplasm with tolerance to drought and salinity, and with low level of phytic acids. These pioneering efforts although still in the infancy stage, will have a great positive impact in fighting poverty and malnutrition in Africa".”

Participants forwarded several recommendations to enhance the network. These include: capacity building and human resource enhancement in Africa, need to clarify the role of NEPAD for African scientists to strengthen cooperation, identification of focal points in each North African Country, additional training in the field of biotechnology, and upgrading of agricultural communication in the network.

For further information, contact Ismail AbdelHamid of the Egypt Biotechnology Information Center at ismail@isaaa.org or ismail@egypt-bic.com.