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Al-Ahram Weekly
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Working collectively for Africa - Egypt - Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt stressed the importance of Africa's security and integration during the African Union's Seventh Mid-Year Coordination Meeting this week 'Peace is the foundation of development, and integration is the path towards a better future for the continent,' President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi said during his speech addressing the African Union's (AU) Seventh Mid-Year Coordination Meeting held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, this week. The AU meeting gathered African leaders to discuss continental challenges including peace and security, economic integration, regional cooperation, and intra-African trade. It also focused on challenges facing the continent such as armed conflicts, the spread of terrorism, and the repercussions of climate change. Held under the theme of 'Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations', the meeting took place at a time when the African continent is facing various challenges to its stability and security, explained Mohamed Hegazy, a former deputy to Egypt's foreign minister. The situation in Sudan and Somalia, the pressure of the war on Gaza on the continent, the terrorist activities of the Houthis and the Shabab groups in Yemen and Somalia, the difficult economic situation as a result of the war in Ukraine and the new tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, are among the issues the continent has had to deal with, Hegazy said. Highlighting Egypt's efforts to maintain peace and security in the continent, President Al-Sisi affirmed Egypt's full commitment to supporting the North African Region Capability (NARC) as part of its broader interest in backing the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and its leading role in post-conflict reconstruction and development in the continent. The NARC is a regional organisation concerned with promoting peace, security, and stability in the continent, according to the protocol establishing the AU's Peace and Security Council (PSC). The APSA is a framework established by the AU to address peace and security issues across the continent. As the current chair of the NARC, Al-Sisi reviewed Egypt's efforts to ensure its preparedness to promote peace on the African continent in the full belief in the importance of its readiness to protect the capabilities of the African peoples and meet their aspirations for security, stability, and prosperity, as he put it in his speech. Al-Sisi took part in the meeting in his capacity as chair of the NARC as well as of the Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee of the AU Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD). In his speech as Chair of the AUDA-NEPAD, Al-Sisi called on all countries to work collectively to overcome its challenges as 'the Africa we want is not a dream but a near reality.' He outlined Egypt's key achievements as leader of the NEPAD Committee for two years, pinpointing the feasibility study that was conducted to launch a NEPAD Development Fund to cover Africa's development financing gap. He called on the AU's relevant bodies to approve the fund to start much-needed investment projects in the continent. The key points that the president focused on include closing the continent's development financing gap, accelerating the implementation of the AU's Agenda 2063, investing in human capital through health and education, as well as addressing the threat of climate change, Presidential Spokesperson Mohamed Al-Shennawi said. Al-Sisi announced the imminent launch of the NEPAD's Centre of Excellence for Climate Initiatives in Cairo, describing it as a vital step to equip the African countries with tools for adaptation and resilience. He also underscored that despite ongoing regional and international challenges Africa holds vast potential and numerous opportunities for achieving sustainable development and prosperity. 'Let us seize this summit as an opportunity to recommit ourselves to Africa's future… Together, we can transform our collective vision into reality and secure our people's rightful share of peace, prosperity, and progress,' he said. Al-Sisi's participation, according to Hegazi, showed Egypt's keenness to take part in various important issues, among them security and the stability of the continent in its capacity as chair of the NARC. Through its participation, Egypt also wants to follow up on the progress of implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement that entered into force in 2019 during Egypt's one-year chairmanship of the AU, Hegazy said. On the bilateral level, President Al-Sisi met many African leaders, among them Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani, Angolan President João Lourenço, the present AU Chair, Gabonese President Brice Oligui Nguema, chairman of Libya's Presidential Council Mohamed Al-Menfi, and former Nigerien president Mahamadou Issoufou, who leads efforts on the AfCFTA. The meetings held on the sidelines of the AU's Coordination Meeting tackled ways of enhancing regional cooperation, development, and stability across Africa. In addition to focusing on bilateral relations, the African leaders also discussed several regional issues of mutual interest, particularly the situations in the Horn of Africa, Sudan, the Sahel, and Somalia. Al-Sisi highlighted the importance of African integration, achieving stability, and joint work, Hegazy said. 'This is the trilogy that Egypt focused on during this week's meeting. It will focus on the same issues when it speaks for the continent during the G20 meeting to be held in Cairo on 1 September,' he said. The AU Mid-Year Coordination Mechanism was established in 2017 to replace the AU's traditional mid-year summits. It brings together a select group of African leaders, including the chairpersons of the Regional Economic Communities, AU commissioners, and the heads of regional mechanisms. Its primary aim is to coordinate and harmonise the work of the AU Regional Economic Communities to accelerate the implementation of the AU's Agenda 2063 — Africa's strategic plan for growth and sustainable development. * A version of this article appears in print in the 17 July, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Middle East
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Middle East
OPEN// Sisi reviews Egypt's efforts to promote peace in Africa
MALABO, July 13 (MENA) – Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on Sunday affirmed Egypt's full commitment to supporting the North African Region Capability (NARC) as part of Cairo's broader interest in revitalizing the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and its leading role in post-conflict reconstruction and development. This commitment also stems from Egypt's firm belief that peace is the foundation of development, and that integration is the path toward a better future for the continent, Sisi said during a speech he delivered at the African Union (AU)'s 7th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting, held in Equatorial Guinea. Sisi, the current chair of NARC, reviewed Egypt's efforts to ensure the preparedness of the North African Region Capability to promote peace across the African continent. These efforts come in light of Egypt's full belief in the importance of preparedness and readiness to safeguard the capabilities of the African peoples, protect them from various challenges, and fulfill their aspirations for security, stability, and prosperity, he said. He pointed out that the African continent faces a lot of complex and intertwined geopolitical challenges—ranging from armed conflicts and the spread of terrorism to transnational organized crime and the repercussions of climate change. These challenges pose a threat to the continent's security, stability, and development, and require collective efforts to be addressed, Sisi added. The Egyptian leader emphasized the need to revitalize and strengthen the regional mechanisms concerned with maintaining peace and security in Africa. He also underlined the importance of the African Standby Force (ASF) as a core pillar of the African Peace and Security Architecture with its regional components such as the North African Region Capability, currently chaired by Egypt. This system provides a multi-dimensional, well-equipped force with operational capacity and readiness to deploy in support of peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts, Sisi noted. (MORE) I S N/R E E
Korea Herald
24-06-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Korea guides Nepal's push for holistic agricultural reform: NARC director
NARC director outlines twofold vision for Korea-backed agriculture: Self-sufficiency, export readiness KATHMANDU, Nepal — In May, when Nepal forged a partnership with the Korea Partnership for Innovation of Agriculture, led by South Korea's Rural Development Administration, it sowed the seeds of transformation in its agricultural development. In an earnest tone, Krishna Timsina, executive director of Nepal's National Agricultural Research Council, the country's key research and policy institution for agriculture, mapped out what the new ties could bring in the years to come. 'This partnership with KOPIA marks a strategic leap toward self-sufficiency especially in rice and potato production,' Timsina said during a press interview at KOPIA's Nepal center. He noted that Nepal imports around 15 percent of its agricultural products, which the country aims to reduce by increasing production by 27 to 40 percent by 2030, and by 40 to 85 percent by 2050. Achieving these goals, however, depends on Nepal's ability to respond to climate challenges and harness innovation in seed breeding and agricultural technology. 'We would love to learn from KOPIA's scientific innovations and adapt them to our own context, developing agriculture not as a standalone sector, but as one that functions within a broader ecosystem,' he said. Nepal views KOPIA's support as vital across the entire agricultural value chain from seed development and pest management to post-harvest handling and mechanization. 'Yet, the priority should be adapting the right technologies to Nepal's specific environment,' Timsina said, adding that future breeding efforts will align with consumer preferences, focusing on select rice varieties and native potato types with strong market appeal. Regarding machinery use, Nepal's lowland Terai region, home to about 800 of the country's 1,200 mechanization clusters, has a mechanization rate of 50 percent, but the adoption of rice transplanters remains at just 20 percent. 'Unlike tractors, which are used year-round, rice transplanters are typically operated only during the 30 to 40 days of the planting season," he said. Timsina highlighted the strengths of Korean farm machinery. "Nepal needs compact equipment suited for small plots and high-altitude regions, where Korea's small-scale agricultural equipment could offer a valuable solution," he said. According to Timsina, Korea's system could also help improve Nepal's machinery banks, public facilities for renting agricultural equipment, that currently face operational challenges and lack strategic guidance. Ultmatley, for Timsina, agricultural development means a comprehensive transformation that fuses technology, research, training and policy into a unified ecosystem. 'We need a multidisciplinary approach, and while our focus will remain on breeding and technological advancements, institutional innovation is just as critical,' he said, adding that technology transfer from research stations to farmers must be ensured through systemic reforms. 'We also need to collaborate more closely with provincial governments, educational institutions and local authorities to ensure meaningful adoption on the ground.' While Nepal prioritizes self-reliance in food production, it also envisions an export-oriented sector that could eventually share its agricultural expertise with neighboring countries. 'Our first goal is to achieve self-sufficiency in key staple crops. The second is to make certain commodities, such as those in the livestock sector, more competitive in international markets,' he said. minmin@
Ammon
20-05-2025
- Science
- Ammon
Experts at U.S. Embassy: The National Seed Bank is a Pioneer in Biodiversity Conservation
Ammon News - Professor Dr. Ibrahim Mohammad Al-Rawashdeh, Director General of the National Agricultural Research Center (NARC), received a delegation from the U.S. Embassy in Amman. The delegation included Dr. Seckinger, Director of the Regional Environmental Office; Muhannad Shahwan, Agricultural Specialist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture; Jomertz, Economic Officer specializing in water and the environment; and Yara Abu-Laban, Regional Environmental Specialist. The visit aimed to gain insight into the operations of the National Seed Bank affiliated with NARC. During the visit, the U.S. Embassy delegation praised the leading role of the National Agricultural Research Center in conserving biodiversity and safeguarding plant heritage. They expressed the embassy's interest in future collaboration with the National Seed Bank to enhance biodiversity efforts. The delegation noted that NARC benefits from a new leadership that has advanced the scientific research environment and boasts extensive expertise in biodiversity, evidenced by 48 scientific papers published in this field. Dr. Al-Rawashdeh stated that the National Seed Bank was established under Royal directives and aligns with the Economic Modernization Vision and the National Sustainable Development Plan, which the Jordanian Ministry of Agriculture is implementing. The Seed Bank focuses on the genetic characterization of wild relatives of local seeds, particularly those evaluated by NARC researchers for phenotypic traits to support breeding and crop improvement programs. He added that the center aims to expand research related to the integration of modern technologies such as tissue culture and molecular techniques in the evaluation of wild relatives and local landraces of economically valuable crops. This is to accelerate the development of economically viable varieties in line with national strategic goals aimed at enhancing food security. He also emphasized that NARC looks forward to joint efforts to position the region as a promising source of genetic diversity that can serve both the local area and the broader region.
Zawya
14-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan: Agriculture Ministry launches national campaign to support olive sector
AMMAN — Minister of Agriculture Khaled Hneifat on Tuesday launched the National Campaign for the Integrated Management of Olive Trees. Representatives from the plant wealth and agricultural extension sectors, the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), and stakeholders in the olive industry participated in the event, held at the ministry headquarters, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. Attendees also included representatives from the General Syndicate of Jordanian Olive Oil Mills Owners and Olive Producers, the Jordanian Olive Products Exporters Association (JOPEA), President of the General Union of Jordanian Farmers Odeh Rawashdeh, and President of the Jordan Agricultural Engineers Association Ali Abu Nuqta. The campaign aligns with the Economic Modernisation Vision and the ministry's plan to achieve food security and enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, especially olives, considered a 'cornerstone' of Jordan's agricultural economy. It aims to promote the best agricultural and manufacturing practices, as well as climate-smart farming methods, through a series of field schools and training courses across all governorates. The ministry will fund 13 training courses and 19 field schools, with additional schools funded by international organisations, focusing on regions most affected by the olive fruit fly pest. Hneifat stressed that this collaborative campaign will contribute to the sector's development, especially through the vital role of agricultural extension services in delivering campaign messages to farmers through all available channels. He noted that addressing pests and enhancing olive oil quality will positively impact farmers and the national economy. The ministry will also track campaign outcomes and assess their impact on the agricultural sector, particularly the olive industry, which accounts for 72 per cent of Jordan's fruit-bearing trees, the minister noted. Hneifat added that these efforts will be carried out in coordination with the Agricultural Engineers Association, the General Syndicate of Jordanian Olive Oil Mills Owners and Olive Producers and JOPEA. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
