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Programs and Fields of work
According to the Development and Modernization Plan, approved by
the General Assembly in its 27th session held in Abu Dhabi,
April 28-30, 2002, AOAD will focus on nine programs and fields
of work in the upcoming period. These were defined as a result
of previous work experience, along with the knowledge of current
priorities.
The nine programs are:
Natural Resources Development
and Environmental Protection Program
This program entails gathering, sorting and analyzing
information on the natural resources available in the Arab
region in terms of water, land, forestry, and pastures. It
promotes effective use of these resources and encourages Arab
cooperation to abide by inter-Arab and international agreements
for the protection of the environment and bio-diversity.
Food Security Program
This program concerns with matters related to food
self-sufficiency, developing and modernizing commodities and
rural industries.
Improvement of Agricultural
Services, Technology Transfer and Adoption Program
This program focuses on the modernization of the main
agricultural services, such as plant and animal quarantines,
agricultural insurance, supporting plant referral laboratories,
and so forth. In addition, this program encourages research,
technology transfer and adoption capabilities with the aim of
modernizing Arab agriculture.
Training and Capacity-building
Program
This program aims to develop and enhance the technical
capabilities of Arab cadres working in the field of agriculture,
with particular emphasis on technology transfer and adoption.
Another component of this program is to build the capacities of
existing training centers and cooperate with renowned
agricultural training centers in the region.
Technical and Scientific
Cooperation Program
This program aims to improve cooperation between AOAD and the
Arab, regional and international centers, authorities, and
organizations. It also aims to encourage the publishing of
researches in the field of agriculture, provide member states
with emergency assistance and consultancies upon request.
Statistics, Information,
Documentation and Publishing Program
This program focuses on the creation and management of an Arab
Agricultural Information Network, as well as producing the
following publications: the annual Arab Agricultural Statistical
Yearbook, the annual Report on Agricultural Development in the
Arab Region, the annual Arab Food Security Report, amongst
others.
Strengthening the
Establishment of the Arab Free Trade Zone Program
This program monitors the implementation process of the Arab
Free Trade Zone program, in addition to related activities in
support of the process such as: the Common Arab Agricultural
Harvesting Calendar, and the implementation of the "Rules of
Origin" system for Arab agricultural commodities and products.
Another component of the program is to undertake specific
studies related to the Arab Free Trade Zone and create relevant
databases.
Agricultural Integration and
Enhancement of the International Competitiveness of Arab
Agricultural Products Program
This program supports the efforts leading to wider cooperation
and integration between the Arab countries, particularly in the
field of agricultural policies. It also encourages joint Arab
investment projects, production and marketing projects, and
encourages membership of Arab countries to the World Trade
Organization.
Supporting Joint Development
Projects Program
This program entails making all necessary arrangements for the
preparation, implementation, supervision, and evaluation, of
national or regional agricultural projects funded by AOAD or
otherwise.
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