ACSAD

Iraqi Minister of Agriculture visits ACSAD

Mr. Akram al-Hakeem, Minister of Agriculture in Iraq visited the headquarters of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) in Damascus, Syria on 29 June 2009. ACSAD official given Mr. al-Hakeem an idea about ACSAD work and projects in the Arab countries and ACSAD’s future plans that aim to achieve sustainable development in these countries and improve the standards of living of the Arab farmers. Mr. al-Hakeem praised the vital role played by ACSAD in the field of achieving the Arab water and food security

Discussing cooperation between ACSAD and Algeria

Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) met at his office in Damascus on 23 June 2009 the ambassador of Algeria in Damascus Mr. Saleh Bosha and discussed with him the cooperation between ACSAD and Algeria. The Algerian ambassador praised the vital role played by ACSAD in the Arab region in general and in Algeria in particular.

ACSAD Director-General meets with officials from Libya and the Italian Space Agency

Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), met on the sidelines of the meetings of the FAO Council (15-19June 2009) with Dr. Abo Bakr al-Mansouri, Secretary-General of the General People’s Committee for Agriculture, Livestock and Marine Wealth in Libya And discussed with him the joint cooperation between ACSAD and Libya in different fields. Dr. SALEH, met also with experts from the Italian Space Agency and discussed with them the cooperation between ACSAD and the Agency in the fields of the desertification phenomenon, the vegetative cover, the water basins and climate change.

The World Day to Combat Desertification

The World Day to Combat Desertification was celebrated on 17 June 2009 in the protected area of Attalila in the city of Palmyra in Syria under the title “conservation of land and water is essential for our future”. The celebration of the World Day to Combat Desertification was organized jointly by the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) and the General Agency for the Management and Development of the Steppe in the Syrian Arab Republic. Eng. Abdul Rahim Loulou, coordinator of the projects for combating desertification, delivered a speech at the celebration on behalf of Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), in which he mentioned that" confronting desertification requires concerted efforts and tireless work via a comprehensive strategy to help direct the use of the land and water resources in an optimum way.

ACSAD participates in the annual meeting of the Islamic Development Bank

Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), met with Dr. Ahmad Muhammad Ali, President of the Islamic Development Bank, and discussed with him the joint cooperation between ACSAD and the Bank and the means of fostering and developing this cooperation. The meeting between Dr. SALEH and the President of the Islamic Development Bank took place on the sidelines of the 34th annual meeting of the board of governors of the Islamic Development Bank which was held in Turkmenistan’s capital Ashgabat during the period 2-3 June 2009. Dr. SALEH praised the role played by the Islamic Development Bank in supporting the research work and projects carried out by ACSAD in the Arab region.

International conference on integrated water resources management

An international conference on applying WEAP as a Decision Support System for the Integrated Water Resources Management was opened in Damascus on 25 May 2009 under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Adel Safar, Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform in the Syrian Arab Republic. This conference, which lasts 3 days, is organized by the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) in cooperation with the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, UNESCO Cairo Office, UNEP Regional Office for West Asia (ROWA) and Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI). The conference topics include WEAP applications in the field of water planning, transboundary water policy, climate change studies, socioeconomic applications, river ecosystem, water utilities, water rights administration, water quality, safety yield analysis, multi- criteria decision analysis/ optimization modeling, watershed management, groundwater recharge modeling, irrigation demand and supply modeling, groundwater flow model integration (WEAP-MODFLOW-coupling) and reservoir management.

Integrated pest management

The Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) organizes during the period 23-28 May 2009 a training course on the integrated pest management for a number of researchers and specialists working at the Ministry of Agriculture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This training course aims to acquaint the trainees with the most important insect pests which affect fruit trees and field crops and the appropriate methods of biological control and the breeding of predators.

Cooperation between ACSAD and Bahrain

Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), met in Manama, Bahrain on 18 May 2009 with Dr. Jumaa bin Ahmad al-Kaabi, Minister of Municipalities and Agriculture Affairs in Bahrain. The two sides discussed the cooperation between ACSAD and Bahrain in different fields. On the other hand, Dr. SALEH attended the International Conference for the Launch of the 2009 Global Assessment Report on Disasters Risk Reduction (risk and poverty in changing climate) was held in Manama, Bahrain during the period 17-18 May 2009.

Arab ambassadors: ACSAD is an excellent research center

At the invitation of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) 13 Arab ambassadors paid a visit to ACSAD agricultural research station at Ezraa in southern Syria. The visit, which took place on 16 May 2009, aimed o acquaint the Arab ambassadors with the activities carried out by ACSAD in the field of research and studies aiming to help achieve the Arab food and water security under the current natural challenges facing the Arab region. The Arab ambassadors watched a film about ACSAD work and after that a number of ACSAD experts gave the distinguished guests an idea about the new varieties of some crops which are resistant to drought and the production of biogas.

ACSAD organizes a tour for a Jordanian delegation

The Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones Dry Lands (ACSAD) organized a tour during the period 3 – 11 May 2009 for a Jordanian delegation representing Annour Cooperative Society in the Hashemite kingdom of Jordan. The aim of the tour was to acquaint the Jordanian delegation with the Syrian experience in the field of the agricultural cooperative work.

Signing a technical cooperation agreement between ACSAD and Sudan

A technical cooperation agreement was signed at ACSAD’s headquarters in Damascus on 3 May2009 between the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) and the Sudanese side represented by the Executive Director General of the Authority for the Development of Agriculture in the Area of Marwi in northern Sudan. Under this technical cooperation agreement the two sides will cooperate in the field of combating sand dune movement on agricultural lands and around some constructions and utilities. They will seek also the possibility of cultivating olive trees in the area of Marwi.

Training course on rangeland monitoring

The Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) organized a training course on rangeland monitoring in cooperation with the FAO Regional Office for the Near East and the General Organization for the Management and Development of the Steppe in the Syrian Arab Republic. Specialists in the field of rangelands from 8 Arab countries participated in the training course which lasted from 1 to 7 May 2009. The training course aimed to acquaint the trainees with the basics of rangeland monitoring. It also aimed to train them how to collect, enter and analyze the vegetative cover field data. The program of the training course included field visits to a number of pasture sites and protected areas in the Syrian steppe.

Lecture at ACSAD on swine flu

Dr. Ahmad Mahmoud al- Majali, Head of the Program for Combating Epidemics and Trans-boundary Diseases at ACSAD Department of Animal Wealth, delivered a lecture on 5 May 2009 at ACSAD’s headquarters in Damascus on swine flu and the ways of its transmission and prevention. Dr. al- Majali mentioned, “The World Health Organization has raised its alert level to Phase 5 out of the six maximum, indicating that this could become a worldwide flu pandemic”. He mentioned also “The vaccine against seasonal flu does not provide protection against swine flu.

A Tunisian delegation visits ACSAD

A Tunisian delegation from the National Institute of Research on Rural Engineering, Water and Forestry of the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources in Tunisia visited the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) during the period 26 April - 2 May2009. Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director-General of ACSAD, met the members of the visiting delegation and expressed his satisfaction over the existing cooperation between ACSAD and Tunisia. He stressed the importance of saline and treated water use in agriculture to help bridge the food gap in the Arab region and reduce the burden on water resources. Dr. Mohammad al-Hashisha, a member of the Tunisian delegation, delivered a lecture at ACSAD’s headquarters on the treated water uses in Tunisia.

Signing a cooperation agreement between ACSAD and BGR

A cooperation agreement was signed on 30 April 2009 between the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) and the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR). Under the terms of the cooperation agreement the German side will provide special equipment for water studies and short-term experiences in the fields of hydrogeology, soil, and informatics and water economics. On the other hand ACSAD will play its role as a house of expertise in the field of technology transfer to help achieve the sustainable management of the natural resources via expanding the use of the Decision Support System(DSS) as an important tool in water resources management.

Strengthening cooperation between ACSAD and BADEA

Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), received at his office on 19 April, 2009 Mr. Abdelaziz KHELEF, Director-General of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) and the accompanying delegation. The two sides discussed the means and methods of strengthening the cooperation between ACSAD and BADEA. They also discussed the constraints hindering agricultural development in the Arab and African countries. They agreed that ACSAD would prepare a document for a project for combating desertification and fixing sand dunes.

Dr. SALEH: supporting the agricultural development projects concerned with increasing food crop production

Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) received at his office at ACSAD’s headquarters in Damascus on 15 April 2009 Dr. Muneer Rosan, Regional Director of the International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI). The two sides discussed the existing cooperation between ACSAD and IPNI and the means and methods of fostering and increasing this cooperation. Dr. SALEH explained at the meeting with Dr. Rosan the efforts exerted by ACSAD to help achieve sustainable agricultural development in the Arab countries. He also spoke about the constraints facing the scientific agricultural research in the Arab countries and referred to ACSAD work strategy during the next phase, especially providing support for the agricultural development projects concerned with increasing the production of food crops.

Training course in Tunisia on agricultural development and planning

The Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) organized a training course on agricultural development and planning for 11 agricultural engineers working in the Project for Rural Development of the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform in the Syrian Arab Republic. The training course, which lasted from 5 to 11 April 2009, was organized within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between ACSAD and the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform.

Decisions of ACSAD Executive Council at its 30th session

The Executive Council of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) stressed, at the end of its 30th session on 13 April 2009, the need to give more attention to combating desertification, developing the arid areas and dry lands in the Arab region and studying climate change. ACSAD Executive Council recommended the creation of a section of agricultural extension within the framework the ACSAD Department of Economy and Planning. This section will coordinate with the agricultural extension services in the Arab countries vis-à-vis the agricultural research results and the training of the agricultural cadres. The Council called also, among other things, for carrying out more research and studies on the multipurpose drought tolerant forage trees and establishing more nurseries to distribute these trees to the Arab countries in cooperation and coordination with the research, development and extension institutes in these countries.

ACSAD Executive Council convenes in Tripoli (12-13 April 2009)

The meetings of the 30th Session of the Executive Council of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) started in the Libyan capital Tripoli on 12 April 2009 with the participation of Dr. Abo Bakr al- Mansouri, Secretary of the People’s Committee for Agriculture and Animal and Marine Wealth in the Libyan Jamahiriya. Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) made a speech at the opening ceremony in which he thanked the Libyan Jamahiriya for hosting the 30th Session of ACSAD Executive Council and explained ACSAD work during 2008. Dr. SALEH indicated that, “ACSAD carried out 41 research and development projects and organized 68 training courses and 16 scientific gatherings. It is worth mentioning that the meetings of ACSAD Executive Council are attended by delegations from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Mauritania, Jordan, Sudan, Yemen and Libya.

Lecture at ACSAD on genetic improvement of some olive tree varieties

Dr. Ahmad Istanbouli, olive tree expert, delivered a lecture at the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) on 13 April 2009 on the genetic improvement of some olive tree varieties grown in the arid and semiarid areas. Dr. Istanbouli gave at the lecture some details about the research materials and methods, the way of carrying out the research, distribution of work between the participants in the research, the expected results and the costs. It is worth mentioning that this research is being carried out cooperatively by ACSAD and the General Commission for Scientific Agriculture Research in the Syrian Arab Republic.

Cooperation between ACSAD and Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC)

Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) received at his office in Damascus on 7 April, 2009 Dr. Marwan Aweijan, Officer in Charge of the Regional Programs at the IDRC Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa, and Dr. Maleeka Martinee, socioeconomic studies expert at the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). The two sides discussed cooperation in the fields of mutual concern and the possibility of carrying out applied scientific projects in the fields of forests and rangelands via financing from Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC).

Cooperation between ACSAD and ICARDA

A meeting was held on 2 April 2009 at the headquarters of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) in Damascus between Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director-General of ACSAD and Dr. Kamel Shadeed, Assistant Director-General of the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) and Dr. Majd Jamal, Assistant Director-General of ICARDA (Government Liaison). The two sides discussed the cooperation between ACSAD and ICARD in different fields and the methods and means of strengthening and fostering this cooperation via the establishment of specific projects in the areas of water resources, crops and conservation agriculture

Developing cooperation between the State of Qatar and ACSAD

In a meeting held on 25 March 2009 in Doha, capital of the State of Qatar, Mr. Abdulla bin Mubarak Al-Muadadi, Minister of Environment in the State of Qatar, discussed with Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) the cooperation between the State of Qatar and ACSAD. The two sides discussed the joint projects and the need to benefit from ACSAD’s experience in different fields including animal production, plant production, combating desertification and water studies. Dr. SALEH explained at the meeting ACSAD’s future trends in different fields including updating ACSAD’s infrastructure, expanding the applied research programs, improving the production efficiency of the plant and animal genetic resources and expanding the programs relating to the integrated management of soil and water resources.

Training Course at ACSAD on Date Palm Propagation via Tissue Culture (16 - 25 March 2009)

Eng. Hussein Laswad, Assistant Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), concluded at ACSAD’s headquarters in Damascus on 25 March 2009 the Training Course on Date Palm Propagation via Tissue Culture which was organized by ACSAD, in cooperation with the General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research in Syria and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, for technicians from the Ministry of Agriculture in Iraq. The training program of the training course included, among other things, acquainting the participants with the equipment and laboratories, the date palm program at ACSAD and the principles and problems of tissue culture. It also included a visit to the date palm laboratories of the Seed Multiplication Organization in Aleppo in northern Syria.

Dr. SALEH and GTZ representative visit Latakia forests

Within the framework of the current cooperation between the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) and the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ), Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director-General of ACSAD, and the technical supervisor of the cooperation project between ACSAD and GTZ visited on 9 March 2009 some forests in Latakia, Syria to inspect the proposed sites for making water holes to help extinguish forest fires.

Training Course at ACSAD on Date Palm Propagation via Tissue Culture

Eng. Hussein Laswad, Assistant Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), opened at ACSAD’s headquarters in Damascus on 16 March 2009 the Training Course on Date Palm Propagation via Tissue Culture which is organized by ACSAD, in cooperation with the General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research in Syria and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, for technicians from the Ministry of Agriculture in Iraq. The training program of the training course includes, among other things, acquainting the participants with the equipment and laboratories, the date palm program at ACSAD and the principles and problems of tissue culture. It also includes a visit to the date palm laboratories of the Seed Multiplication Organization in Aleppo in northern Syria.

Training course at ACSAD on monitoring and evaluating land degradation (7-16 March, 2009)

Eng. Hussein Laswad, Assistant Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), concluded on 16 March 2009 the training course on monitoring and evaluating land degradation for Libyan trainees from the Libyan Ministry of Agriculture and Animal and Marine Wealth. The Libyan technicians have been trained during this training course in monitoring and evaluating land degradation according to international systems and in the use of modern techniques, especially the remote sensing and the geographic information systems.

Training course for Saudi trainees on using mathematical modeling in designing rainwater harvesting constructions

Eng. Hussein Laswad, Assistant Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), opened at ACSAD’s headquarters in Damascus on 23 March 2009 the training course on the use of mathematical modeling in designing rainwater harvesting constructions which is organized by ACSAD for 10 Saudi trainees from the Ministry of Agriculture in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The training course, which lasts for 13 days, deals with several subjects and includes field trips and practical training.

Expanding cooperation between ACSAD and GTZ

Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), discussed with a number of GTZ officials on 5 March 2009 at ACSAD's headquarters in Damascus the current cooperation between ACSAD and the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) and the means of developing this cooperation, especially the subject of the partnership agreement between ACSAD and the GTZ Branch of International Services.

Dr. SALEH receives ACF delegation

Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), received at his office in Damascus on 1 March 2009 a delegation from Action Against Hunger (ACF). The ACF delegation included Mr. Vincent Stehli, Desk Officer Euro-Asia, and Ms. Lucia Oliveira, head of the ACF mission in Syria. The ACF delegation explained at the meeting the services provided by ACF in the areas affected by natural disasters in general and those provided in northeastern Syria to Syrians and to Iraqis living in Syria in particular.

Joint cooperation between ACSAD, Syrian Ministry of Agriculture and FAO

Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), received at his office in Damascus on 26 February 2009 Eng. Atiya al-Hindi, Director of the National Center for Agricultural Policies and Coordinator of the National Program for Food Security at the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform in the Syrian Arab Republic and Dr. Fat-hi al-Hadiri, official in charge of food security at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. They discussed the cooperation between ACSAD, the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture and FAO in the field of the food security in the Arab countries and stressed the need for adopting the participatory approach in search for possible solutions to develop the fragile rural areas to help achieve the sustainability of the proposed projects.

Kuwaiti trainees at ACSAD

The Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) organized a training course on olive tree cultivation and propagation for Kuwaiti technicians during the period 1-5 March, 2009. The training program of the training course included, among other things, scientific lectures and practical training about olive tree cultivation in the Arab world, structure and health value of olive oil and olive tree propagation and pruning.

ACSAD holds the First Conference on Developing the Scientific Agricultural Research in the Arab Region

H.E. Dr. Mohammad bin Ebraheem Attweijri, Assistant Secretary-General of the League of Arab States for Economic Affairs, opened the First Conference on Developing the Scientific Agricultural Research in the Arab Region on behalf of H.E. Mr. Amre Moussa, Secretary General of the League of Arab States. Dr. Attweijri made a speech at the opening ceremony in which he stressed "The importance of coordination between ACSAD and the national agricultural research centers in the Arab countries to help ensure the achievement of food security in the Arab region ". After that, Dr. Mohammad Najeeb Rajab, Director-General of the National Research Institute of Rural Engineering, Water and Forestry in Tunisia, made a speech on behalf of the Arab delegations representing 19 Arab countries. Dr. Rajab spoke about the importance of holding this conference to deal with the challenges facing the Arab countries such as environmental degradation, climate change, frequency of drought cycles and scarcity of water resources. Finally, Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), delivered a speech in which he spoke about the importance of the scientific research and the efforts exerted by ACSAD to keep pace with the scientific and technological developments. At the end of the opening ceremony, a film was shown about ACSAD activities and achievements.

Leaders of agricultural research in the Arab countries visit ACSAD research stations

Leaders of the scientific agricultural research from 19 Arab countries, who participated in the First Conference on Developing the Scientific Agricultural Research which was organized by ACSAD in Damascus during 23-25 February 2009, visited on 25 February 2009 ACSAD two research stations at Ezraa and Jilleen in the province of Daraa in southern Syria. The leaders of the scientific agricultural research in the Arab countries, who were accompanied on this visit by Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), were briefed by ACSAD experts about the different activities carried out at the two research stations in the fields of fruit trees, cereals, production of bio gas and improvement and multiplication of the Damascus goats and Awassi sheep.

Lecture at ACSAD on climate change

Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) attended a lecture on climate change delivered at ACSAD's headquarters on 17 February 2009 by Mr. Khaled Maoad, climate consultant. Eng. Hussein Laswad, Assistant Director-General of ACSAD, and a number of ACSAD experts, attended the lecture.

ACSAD Director-General meets with H.E. Mr. Amre Moussa, Secretary General of the League of Arab States and heads ACSAD delegation to the meetings of the 83rd session of the Arab Economic and Social Council

Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) met with H.E. Mr. Amre Moussa, Secretary General of the League of Arab States at the headquarters of the Secretariat General of the League of Arab States in Cairo, Egypt. The two sides discussed the preparations for holding the First Conference on Scientific Agricultural Research in the Arab Region scheduled to be held in Damascus, Syria during the period 23-25 February 2009. Dr. SALEH also headed ACSAD delegation to the meetings of the 83rd session of the Arab Economic and Social Council, which were held at the headquarters of the Secretariat General of the League of Arab States in Cairo during the period 8-12 February 2009. Dr. SALEH met during his stay in Cairo with a number of high-ranking officials.

The First Conference on Developing the Scientific Agricultural Research in the Arab Region (Mechanisms of cooperation and coordination between ACSAD and the national research centers) Dr. SALEH: enhancing the efficiency of the scientific and technical agricultural research and transferring modern techniques to the Arab region to help achieve the sustainable Arab agricultural development

The Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) organizes in Damascus the First Conference on Developing the Scientific Agricultural Research in the Arab Region during the period 23-25 February 2009. Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) mentioned, "This Conference is held while the Arab agriculture faces some constraints and challenges which impede the possibility of satisfying the increased demand for food in the Arab region and exacerbate the food crisis under the sharp increase in food prices ". Dr. SALEH said " The leaders of the scientific agricultural research centers in the Arab countries will participate in this Conference with a view of discussing the problems facing the development of the Arab agriculture and finding mechanisms of cooperation and coordination between the national research centers in the Arab countries and ACSAD to enhance the efficiency of the scientific and technical agricultural research and transfer modern techniques to the Arab region to help achieve the sustainable Arab agricultural development ".

Horizons of cooperation between ACSAD and the kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) discussed with a high-ranking Saudi delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia the cooperation between ACSAD and the Saudi Ministry of Agriculture in different fields of mutual concern and the means of fostering and increasing this cooperation. At the meeting between the two sides, which was held at ACSAD's headquarters in Damascus on 3 February 2009, Dr. SALEH expressed his appreciation for the return of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia to ACSAD membership confirming" that this important step will contribute positively to the activation of the joint Arab action, help ACSAD in carrying out its research and applied plans and programs and strengthen ACSAD capability as an Arab expertise house ".

Strengthening the cooperation between ACSAD and Libya

Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) received at his office in Damascus on 1 February, 2009 H.E. Eng. Fathi Assddeeq Beiram Undersecretary at the General People's Committee for Agriculture and Animal and Marine Wealth in the Libyan Jamahiriya and discussed with him the cooperation between ACSAD and the Jamahiriya in different fields of mutual concern and the means and methods of fostering and increasing this cooperation. Eng. Beiram expressed his appreciation for the vital role played by ACSAD in the field of achieving the sustainable agricultural development in the Libyan Jamahiriya in particular and in the Arab region in general.

The use of olive by-products in ruminant feeding

Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) opened on 27 January, 2009 the Scientific Seminar on the Project for the Use of Olive By-products In Feeding Ruminants which is organized by ACSAD in cooperation with the General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research in the Syrian Arab Republic. In a speech made at the seminar, Dr. SALEH stressed, "The problem of the shortage of feed resources is still the main cause for the decrease of the productivity of the farm animals, the decline of the reproduction efficiency and the deterioration of the animal health". Dr. SALEH mentioned, "This situation adversely affects the agricultural economy in particular and the national economy in general in most of the Arab countries". He added, "It is therefore important to search for alternative feed such as the olive by-products".

Water crisis in the Arab world - ACSAD working paper at a forum held within the framework of the Arab Economic Summit in Kuwait

A forum was held within the framework of the First Arab Economic, Development and Social Summit, which was held in Kuwait during the period 19-20 January 2009. The specialized Arab organizations and the private sector participated in the forum, which discussed all the important economic subjects in the Arab region. Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) presented a working paper at the forum about the water crisis in the Arab region in which he indicated "That most of the lands of the Arab region are arid or semiarid and this leads to the lack of rainfall and the scarcity of water resources in general ". Dr. SALEH stressed, "The gravity of this phenomenon stems from the increase of the drought cycles, which affect the Arab region. Dr. SALEH also indicated, "That ACSAD prepared, in cooperation with the ministries of water in the Arab countries, an integrated project about the Arab water security and the integrated management of the waters resources to help achieve the sustainable development in the Arab countries ".

Cooperation between ACSAD and IFAD

Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), received at his office in Damascus, Syria on 13 January 2009 a delegation from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) headed by Dr. Nadeem Khouri, Director of the Near East and North Africa Division. The two sides discussed the cooperation between the two organizations and the means of fostering and increasing this cooperation in different fields. Dr. Khouri stressed, "The priorities in IFAD work plan for 2010 - 2012 are generally similar to those of ACSAD and this makes it possible for the two sides to cooperate in the implementation of many projects".

Palestinian technicians receive training at ACSAD in artificial insemination and embryo transfer

Eng. Hussein Laswad, Assistant Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) opened on 18 January 2009 the training course on artificial insemination and embryo transfer in small ruminants for Palestinian technicians. The program of the training course, which lasts from 18 to 31 January 2009, includes, among other things, lectures and practical training about the importance of artificial insemination and embryo transfer in small ruminants, directing reproduction in sheep and goats, components of the artificial insemination laboratory, the methods of collecting and transferring embryos and practical applications of the SAS statistical program to test the elite animals.

ACSAD expands the work in the project for the preparation of the map of the optimum uses in Sudan to include new provinces

Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) and Dr. Abdulateef Ahmad Ajeimi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests in Sudan, signed an agreement at ACSAD's headquarters on 6 January, 2009 aiming to expand the above project to new areas in Sudan starting from the northern provinces. The signing of the agreement took place in the wake of the excellent results of the first phase of the project for the preparation of the map of the optimum uses in Sudan.

Director--General of ACSAD honors a number of ACSAD experts and employees for their excellent work in 2008

In a ceremony took place at the headquarters of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) in Damascus on 14 January 2009 a number of experts and employees working at ACSAD have been honored by Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director-General of ACSAD for their excellent work during the year 2008. In a speech delivered at the ceremony, Dr. SALEH thanked the members of ACSAD family for their work and urged them to exert more efforts in the coming days.

Signing two cooperation agreements between ACSAD and the Libyan Jamahiriya

Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) and Eng. Abdulhameed Ashsheikhi, Secretary of the Committee on Managing the Exploitation of the Water of Jabal Al-Hasawneh - Al-Jafara - the Great Man-made River in the Libyan Jamahiriya, signed two cooperation agreements. The first agreement aims to develop the management of the uses of medium- saline and saline water, make use of the best techniques and practices, which help conserve soil productive capacity and finally make use of the medium - saline and saline water in irrigating salt tolerant crops. The two sides agreed to organize training courses on fertigation and its role in rationalizing the use of irrigation water, conserving soil and improving productivity. The second agreement aims to establish a nursery for the production of seedlings of olive, pistachio, grape, almond and fig. The two cooperation agreements were signed at ACSAD's headquarters in Damascus on 24 December 2008.

Dr. Saleh heads ACSAD delegation to the meetings of the extraordinary session of the Arab Economic and Social Council

Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) headed ACSAD delegation to the meetings of the extraordinary session of the Arab Economic and Social Council, which were held at the headquarters of the Secretariat-General of the League of Arab States in Cairo, Egypt during 2 – 5 December 2008. Dr. SALEH met on the sidelines of the meetings with H.E. Mr. Amr Moussa, Secretary General of the League of Arab States and discussed with him the means of enhancing the Arab joint action and activating the work of the specialized Arab organizations. The two sides discussed also the conference to be organized by ACSAD in February 2009 in Damascus for the directors and leaders of the agricultural research institutes in the Arab countries.

Developing cooperation between ACSAD and the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture

Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) met in Beirut, Lebanon on 16 December 2008 with Mr. Elias Skaf, Minister of Agriculture in Lebanon. The two sides discussed the cooperation between ACSAD and the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture in different fields of mutual concern, especially in plant and animal wealth and in the projects for spreading rainwater harvesting techniques and preventing floods. The two sides discussed also the means of fostering and strengthening this cooperation.

Activating the cooperation between ACSAD and Tunisia

Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) discussed with H.E. Eng. Abdu Assalam Mansour, Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Water Resources in Tunisia, the means of activating and strengthening the cooperation between the two sides in the fields of animal wealth ( sheep and goat improvement), conducting joint trials in the field of using wastewater and saline water in agriculture and the exchange of plant genetic resources ( especially in the field of rangelands). The meeting between Dr. SALEH and the Tunisian Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Water Resources took place during the visit to Tunisia by Dr. SALEH during the period 27 November and 1 December 2008.

Signing a cooperation agreement between ACSAD and the General Organization for the Management and Development of the Steppe in the Syrian Arab Republic in the field of monitoring and combating desertification

Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) and Eng. Ali Hammoud Director- General the General Organization for the Management and Development of the Steppe in the Syrian Arab Republic, signed a cooperation agreement on 16 December 2008 in the field of monitoring and combating desertification in the Syrian steppe. This agreement, which was signed at ACSAD's headquarters in Damascus, aims to monitor and combat desertification, rehabilitate the degraded lands, train the Syrian cadres and encourage the exchange of experiences and knowledge in the fields of monitoring and combating desertification and the rationale use of the natural resources (remote sensing techniques, the geographic information systems, soil conservation, water harvesting, etc.).

Signing a cooperation agreement between ACSAD and the National Institute for Agricultural Research in Morocco

Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) and Dr. Mohammad Bedrawi, Director-General of the National Institute for Agricultural Research in Morocco, signed an agreement for scientific and technical cooperation between the two sides on 24 November 2008. This cooperation agreement aims to foster the cooperation between the two sides in the fields of agriculture, water and environment. The signing of the cooperation agreement took place during a visit paid by Dr. SALEH to Morocco at the head of a high-level ACSAD delegation, which lasted from 23 to 27 November 2008.

ACSAD Director General and FAO Director General discuss cooperation between ACSAD and FAO

Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) and Dr. Jacques Diouf, Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, discussed the cooperation between the two organizations, especially in the fields of training and exchange of experiences. They also discussed some joint projects and the need for benefiting from the technical experience of the FAO in carrying out joint projects with ACSAD in the fields of animal and plant production, combating desertification and water studies. Dr. SALEH met on the sidelines of the special session of the General Conference of the FAO with the ministers of agriculture in Yemen, Sudan, Kuwait, Libya and Qatar. He also met with representatives from the ministries of agriculture in Tunisia and Iraq and discussed with them the cooperation between ACSAD and their respective countries.

Saudi trainees receive training at ACSAD in geographic information systems

Eng. Hussein Laswad, Assistant Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), opened the training course on the geographic information systems, which is organized by ACSAD during the period from 23 November to 4 December 2008 for engineers from the Ministry of Agriculture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The training course includes, inter alia, lectures and practical training on databases, table design, model design, management of the agricultural information, concept of the geographic information systems. It also includes a field trip on the use of the Global Positioning System (GPS)

ACSAD expands the work in the project for the preparation of the map of the optimum uses in Sudan to include new provinces

Signing a cooperation agreement between ACSAD and the Libyan Agricultural and Animal Research Center

Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director- General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) and Eng. Mohammad Ferkash al-Haddad, Secretary of the People's Committee for the Agricultural and Animal Research Center in Libya discussed the existing cooperation between ACSAD and the Research Center and the methods and means of fostering and strengthening this cooperation. Dr. SALEH, who received Eng. al-Haddad at his office in Damascus on 13 November 2008, stressed the need to give attention in the cooperation between the two sides to the field of the biological techniques to improve the plant and animal genetic resources, which are suitable for the arid and semiarid areas and identify the genetic fingerprint of the different varieties and species. He also spoke about the cooperation in the field of the improvement and dissemination of the high- yielding wheat and barley varieties, which are tolerant to the environmental stresses to help bridge the food gap in the Arab countries. Dr. SALEH discussed also the cooperation with the Libyan side in the field of the applied scientific research pertaining to soil and water salinity and the use of the treated waste water in agriculture. The two sides signed a cooperation agreement that includes training Libyan technical cadres from the Libyan Agricultural and Animal Research Center, establishing a gene bank of fruit trees, providing the Libyan farmers with seedlings of fruit trees and disseminating the techniques of the biogas production.

Workshop for presenting the results of the project for the preparation of the map of the optimum uses of lands in Sudan

Prof. Al-Zubeir Bashir Taha, Minister of Agriculture and Forests in Sudan and Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), opened in Khartoum on 4 November 2008 a workshop for presenting the results of the project for the preparation of the map of the optimum uses of lands in Sudan, which is being carried out in Sudan by ACSAD in cooperation with the Sudanese Ministry of Agriculture and Forests. Prof. Taha commended, in a speech delivered at the opening ceremony of the workshop, the great efforts exerted by ACSAD in the implementation of the above project. He also mentioned, "This project defines the sound basics of the optimum uses of the Sudanese lands in a way that allows the optimum use of the renewable natural resources in the arid and semiarid areas in Sudan with the aim to help achieve the sustainable agricultural development and conserve the environment in this country". Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD),also delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the workshop in which he spoke about the positive results of the project and stressed, "These positive results are the outcome of the interaction and cooperation between the ACSAD experts and those from the Sudanese Ministry of Agriculture and Forests". Dr. SALEH mentioned in his speech, "This project serves as an excellent example of the cooperation between the national institutes and the organizations of the League of Arab States that aims to improve the standards of living of the Arab people".

Activating the cooperation between ACSAD and Al-Slaiteen Agricultural and Industrial Complex in the State of Qatar

Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) discussed with Mr. Abdullah Salem Al-Slaiteen, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al-Slaiteen Agricultural and Industrial Complex in the State of Qatar, the means of activating and strengthening the cooperation between the two sides. Mr. Al-Slaiteen, who was received by Dr. SALEH at his office in Damascus on 16 October 2008, commended ACSAD for its role in the field of achieving the Arab sustainable agricultural development. He mentioned that ACSAD has become a center of excellence in different fields including animal production, artificial insemination, embryo transfer and the establishment of gene banks.

Extensive participation of ACSAD delegation in the State of Kuwait

A delegation from the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), headed by Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director General of ACSAD, visited the State of Kuwait and attended the meetings of the Arab funds, the Islamic Development Bank and the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) which were held during the period 18-23 October, 2008. Dr. SALEH explained at the meetings the efforts exerted by ACSAD to help achieve the sustainable agricultural development in the Arab region and in Africa and spoke about the constraints facing the scientific agricultural research in the Arab countries and the optimum methods of tackling these constraints. Dr. SALEH also spoke about ACSAD work strategy for the next stage, especially in the field of supporting the agricultural development projects including the projects for the development of the productivity of wheat and barley crops, the projects for the genetic improvement of sheep and goat production and the establishment of a regional center for date palm research and development in the Arab countries. Dr. SALEH met during this visit with the Kuwaiti Minister of Finance, the Director General of the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, Director General of the Kuwaiti Fund for Arab Economic Development, the Director General of the Public Authority for Agriculture and Fisheries in the State of Kuwait, representative of the Islamic Development Bank and the Director General of the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research.

ACSAD participates in the meetings of the 82nd session of the Arab Economic and Social Council

Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) headed ACSAD delegation to the meetings of the Economic Commission and the 82nd session of the Arab Economic and Social Council which were held at the headquarters of the Secretariat General of the League of Arab States in Cairo, Egypt during 23-29 August 2008.
The participants discussed a number of issues including, inter alia, the report of the Secretary General of the League of Arab States on the follow-up of the implementation of the decisions of the 81st session of the Arab Economic and Social Council ; the activity of the economic and social sectors during the period between the 81st and the 82nd sessions; preparation for the Arab economic, development and social summit scheduled to be held in Kuwait in early 2009; developments in the Great Arab Free Trade Zone; establishment of an Arab council for water; supporting and rehabilitating the Palestinian economy and the Arab food security report for 2007.
ACSAD delegation met during its stay in Cairo with officials from the League of Arab States and with high- ranking officials from the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation.

Joint scientific cooperation agreement between ACSAD and Tishreen University

Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director- General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) and Dr. Mohammad Yahya Muaalla, President of the Tishreen University in the Syrian Arab Republic, signed a joint scientific cooperation agreement on 9 August 2008.
The cooperation agreement aims to foster the scientific and research cooperation between the two sides in different fields including the sound management of the natural resources, conservation of the plant and animal genetic resources which suit the arid areas, development of the organic agriculture, the use of biological techniques, monitoring land degradation and rehabilitation of the degraded lands and the integrated management of the water resources.

Signing a cooperation agreement between ACSAD and the General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research in the Syrian Arab Republic

Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director- General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) and Dr. Mohammad Waleed Attaweel, Director- General of the General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR) in the Syrian Arab Republic signed a cooperation agreement on 29 July 2008 at ACSAD'S headquarters in Damascus.
According to this cooperation agreement the two parties will cooperate in different fields including development of rainfed agriculture the Arab countries, development of natural rangelands in the Arab region, conservation of environment and biodiversity, the genetic resources of fruit trees, the biological techniques in general and the plant and animal genetic fingerprint in particular, the use of multi-quality water in agriculture, monitoring land degradation, soil and land studies, development of water resources, training Arab cadres and organization of scientific meetings.
The duration of the cooperation agreement is five years and it can be renewed by mutual consent of the two parties.

A high-ranking ACSAD delegation visits Cairo
Moussa: "ACSAD is one of the most successful Arab organizations, which made important contributions in the field of the sustainable agricultural development"
Abaza: "ACSAD enjoys excellent expertise"

Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director- General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) visited Cairo during the period 2 – 15 July, 2008 at the head of a delegation comprising Dr. Nassr Addeen Obeid, Director of the Department of Administrative and Financial Affairs, and Eng. Salah El-Kurdi, Director of the Department of Economy and Planning.
ACSAD delegation participated during the period 3 – 6 July 2008 in the meetings of the Higher Coordination Committee on the Arab Joint Action, which were chaired by H.E. Dr. Amr Moussa, Secretary- General of the League of Arab States. The directors of the specialized Arab organizations and the heads of the joint Arab action institutes participated in these meetings, which aimed to coordinate between the Secretariat General of the League of Arab States and the Arab League specialized organizations on the one hand and between the specialized organizations on the other hand.
The Higher Coordination Committee on the Arab Joint Action discussed a number of important subjects including the role of the joint Arab action institutes in the field of rebuilding and development in Palestine, Iraq, Sudan, Somalia and the Comoros; following up the implementation of the recommendations of the 38th meeting of the Committee and finally the cooperation between the League of Arab States and its specialized organizations and the United Nations Organization and its specialized agencies.
ACSAD delegation headed by Dr. Saleh participated also in the meetings of the Committee for Coordination and Follow-up, which were held during the period 7 – 14 July 2008 with the presence of H.E. Dr. Amr Moussa, Secretary- General of the League of Arab States. During these meetings, Dr. Saleh briefed the participants about ACSAD's achievements during the last two years together with ACSAD's budget and plans for the next two years (2009-2010) and ACSAD's memoranda and reports.
Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director- General of ACSAD met on 13 July 2008 with H.E Mr. Amin Abaza, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation in the Arab Republic of Egypt and discussed with him the cooperation between ACSAD and the Ministry in the fields of mutual concern.

Discussing cooperation between ACSAD and the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation

Within the framework of the cooperation between the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) and the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director General of ACSAD, received at his office on 30 June 2008 Eng. Mohammad Ahmad Mustafa, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation and Head of the Central Department of Afforestation and Environment in Egypt, and discussed with him the state of cooperation between the two sides.
Dr. Mustafa spoke at the meeting about the importance of ACSAD as an excellent house of expertise and a distinguished training center at the Arab and international levels.

High- ranking ACSAD delegation visits Kuwait

A high- ranking delegation from the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) visited the State of Kuwait during the period 20- 25 April 2008. Prof. Dr. Farouk Saleh FARES, Director- General of ACSAD, who headed ACSAD delegation met with Mr. Jassem Ashshimali, Minister of Finance in the State of Kuwait, and discussed with him the cooperation between ACSAD and Kuwait, especially after Kuwait rejoined ACSAD as an active member. Prof. Dr. FARES thanked the Kuwaiti Minister of Finance for his valuable efforts in this respect and expressed ACSAD readiness to provide any possible assistance to help achieve the sustainable agricultural development in the State of Kuwait. ACSAD delegation visited during its stay in the State of Kuwait the headquarters of the Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources and met with the Director- General Eng. Jassem Habeeb Al-Badr. The two sides discussed matters of mutual concern. ACSAD delegation also visited the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) and met with the Director- General Dr. Naji Al-Mutairi. The two sides held several sessions in which they explained their activities and programs in different fields. Finally, ACSAD delegation visited the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD), and met with its consultants and discussed with them ACSAD activities in the Arab countries.

Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH is elected as Director- General of ACSAD

Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH has been elected as the new Director- General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) at the end of the 29th session of the ACSAD General Assembly, which was held at the Meriden hotel in Damascus, Syria during the period 21-22 May 2008.

Signing a memorandum of understanding between ACSAD and the General Organization for Remote Sensing in Syria

Dr. Rafik Ali SALEH, Director- General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), and Dr. Osama Ammar, Director-General of the General Organization for Remote Sensing in the Syrian Arab Republic, signed a memorandum of understanding on 11 June 2008 at ACSAD's headquarters in Damascus.
This memorandum of understanding aims to activate the cooperation between the two sides in the development and use of the remote sensing techniques and the geographic information systems together with other techniques in order to help support the sustainable development process.
According to the memorandum of understanding the two sides shall exchange information and space data, cooperate in the training of the cadres who are capable of dealing with these techniques and finally support and help develop the partnership between the scientific institutes working in these fields in Syria.

ACSAD holds the second meeting for the preparation of an Arab framework plan to deal with climate change

Eng. Hussein Laswad, ACSAD Assistant Director-General, opened at ACSAD's headquarters in Damascus the second meeting for the preparation of an Arab framework plan to deal with climate change, which was held by ACSAD in cooperation with the Secretariat-General of the League of Arab States and the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ). This meeting, which was attended by representatives of the concerned Arab and regional and international organizations, lasted from 13 to 15 April 2008.
In his speech, Eng. Laswad mentioned that the increase of the human activities during the last three decades led to the increase of the atmosphere's temperature, depletion of the ozone layer and the exacerbation of the problem of global warming. He also mentioned that "these unusual climatic phenomena lead generally to the decline of the productivity of many crops and adversely affect the water resources and the efficiency of the farming systems". He stressed the need for confronting this challenge in order to help preserve the productivity of the farming systems and rangelands and maintain the stability of the population centers.

Sustainable management of the Iraqi marshlands

Eng. Hussein Laswad, ACSAD Assistant Director-General, opened on 7 April 2008 at ACSAD's headquarters in Damascus the training course on the sustainable management of the Iraqi marshlands which lasts from 7 to 15 April 2008.
This training course, is organized for engineers from Iraq by the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) in cooperation with the United Nations Environment Programme / Regional Office for West Asia (UNEP/ROWA). It deals with several subjects including the integrated solid waste management, the current status of the Iraqi marshlands management, integrated water resources management, wetland management , biodiversity management and sustainable development (water, energy, sanitation and health).

A delegation from Weihnstephan University visits ACSAD

A delegation from Weihnstephan University in Germany visited on 11 March 2008 the headquarters of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) in Damascus, Syria.
The members of the German delegation met with the directors of ACSAD departments and with ACSAD experts who gave them an idea about ACSAD work and research programs. The two sides discussed the future cooperation between ACSAD and Weihnstephan University, especially in the fields of the effect of biogas production on groundwater resources and environment, studying the use of some indigenous plant stocks in German fruit trees varieties and the studies on conservation agriculture.

Director- General of BADEA visits ACSAD.

Prof. Dr. Farouk Saleh Fares, Director General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), received at his office in Damascus on 27 March 2008 H.E. Mr. Abdulazeez Khalaf, Director-General of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA). The two sides discussed the cooperation between ACSAD and BADEA and the means of fostering and developing this cooperation. This meeting was attended also by Eng. Hussein Laswad, Assistant Director- General of ACSAD, and Dr. Nasser Eldin Obeid, Director of the Department of Administrative and Financial Affairs.
It is worth mentioning that the cooperation between ACSAD and BADEA started almost ten years ago and this included the organization of 9 training courses on the uses of the remote sensing techniques and the geographic information systems in monitoring and combating desertification; supplying water for rural communities in Africa; management of irrigation and fertigation; classification, designing, evaluation and installation of different irrigation systems and finally monitoring water resources and the systems of water resources data management.

Prof. Dr. Fares discusses with Azzawwam the joint cooperation between the Arab and African countries

Prof. Dr. Farouk Saleh Fares, Director- General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), received at his office in Damascus on 25 March 2008 Eng. Mesbah Meftah Azzawwam, head of the permanent delegation of the African Union at the League of Arab States, and the members of the accompanying delegation.
The two sides discussed the prospects of cooperation between ACSAD and the African Union in different fields.
Prof. Dr. Fares indicated that "ACSAD cooperates with many Arab and international agencies and organizations with the aim to achieve water and food security".

Training course for Iraqi trainees on monitoring and combating desertification (8-13 March 2008)

Dr. Nasser Eldin Obeid, director of the Department of Administrative and Financial Affairs, opened on 8 March 2008 the training course on the use of remote sensing and the geographic information systems in monitoring and combating desertification for trainees from the General Organization for Combating Desertification in Iraq.
Dr. Obeid spoke about ACSAD achievements in the fields of animal and plant wealth, water resources, combating desertification, uses of multi- quality water and the production of varieties tolerant of drought and salinity. He also spoke about the importance of training and its effect on production and the achievement of sustainable development in the Arab world.

Cooperation between ACSAD and the Agricultural Research Center in Egypt

Within the framework of the cooperation between the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation in the Arab Republic of Egypt, ACSAD provided the Egyptian side with 30,000 rooted olive cuttings of the Sorani variety which gives high yield and tolerates high temperature.
ACSAD and the Egyptian side agreed to prepare a draft cooperation agreement about fruit trees in general.

29th FAO Regional Conference for the Near East

Dr. Khaled Ben Mahmoud, Director of the ACSAD Department of Soils and Water Uses and Head of the Program for Monitoring and Combating Desertification, represented the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) at the 29th FAO Regional Conference for the Near East, which was held in Cairo, Egypt during 1-5 March 2008.
The conference included two meetings. The first meeting, which was attended by high- ranking officials, discussed two documents. The first document entitled" Agriculture in the Near East Towards the Year 2050: Expectations and Challenges" and the second one entitled "the Economic and Social Impacts of the Cross-Border Animal Diseases in the Near East with Special Emphasis on Bird Flu". The second meeting discussed, among other things, an item pertaining to the subjects emanating from the 34th session of the FAO Conference, which was held in Rome, Italy during 17-24 November 2007. It also discussed another item pertaining to the roundtable discussions on climate change and its impacts on agriculture in the Near East.

A delegation from ACSAD headed by Prof. Dr. Farouk Saleh
Fares visits the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for a new period of fruitful cooperation

At the invitation of H.E. Dr. Fahad Bin Abdulrahman Balghnaim, Minister of Agriculture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a delegation from the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) visited the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the period 22-28 February, 2008.
ACSAD delegation, which was headed by Prof. Dr. Farouk Saleh Fares, Director- General of ACSAD, discussed during the visit the cooperation between the Saudi Ministry of Agriculture and ACSAD in different fields of mutual concern. The two sides discussed also the activities and projects in which ACSAD can cooperate with the Saudi Ministry of Agriculture to help achieve the sustainable agricultural development in the Kingdom.
H.E. Dr. Fahad Bin Abdulrahman Balghnaim, Minister of Agriculture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, received ACSAD delegation and stressed that "the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has the desire to open a new page of fruitful cooperation with ACSAD". He added that "the question of water resources remains as the main constraint hindering the development of the agricultural sector in the Kingdom". He also indicated that "the Kingdom is currently giving greater attention to the development of animal wealth, including camel production.
ACSAD delegation stressed ACSAD readiness to help find proper and suitable solutions to the constraints and problems facing the agricultural development in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Ministry of Agriculture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia presented a working paper which included proposals for cooperation with ACSAD including capacity building via the organization of short-term and long-term training programs on different fields, supporting the research activities carried out by the Ministry or carrying out a number of projects in the Kingdom.
The two sides agreed also to nominate a coordinator for cooperation at both ACSAD and the Saudi Ministry of Agriculture in preparation for the establishment of an ACSAD office at the Ministry to follow up the implementation of the cooperation activities and programs between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council on the one hand and ACSAD on the other hand in the fields of animal wealth, combating drought, uses of saline water, cultivation of date palm and the rehabilitation of degraded lands.
ACSAD delegation met during the visit with the president of the Saudi Credit Bank and with the president of the Saudi Arab Agricultural Bank and discussed with them the projects that can be carried out in the Arab countries to deal with the potential risks of climate change.
ACSAD delegation also discussed during the visit the means of fostering and strengthening the cooperation with the Islamic Development Bank.

Meeting of the partners for the implementation of the strategy of the Arab sustainable agricultural development

A delegation from the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), headed by Eng. Hussein Laswad, ACSAD Assistant Director-General, participated in the first meeting of the partners for the implementation of the strategy of the Arab sustainable agricultural development for the next two decades which was organized by the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD) at the headquarters of the Secretariat General of the League of Arab States in Cairo, Egypt during 16-17 February 2008.
The meeting aimed, among other things, to acquaint the participants with the components and elements of the strategy and the progress of work in it; agree on mechanism of coordination for joint implementation, follow-up and evaluation and determine the future steps and measures for the implementation of the strategy.
At the end of the meeting the participants agreed on a number of relevant recommendations.

ACSAD participates in the coordination meeting of the organizations working within the framework of the Arab joint action

A delegation from the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) headed by Eng. Hussein Laswad, Assistant Director-General of ACSAD, participated in the coordination meeting of the organizations working within the framework of the Arab joint action which was held on 12 February 2008 in Cairo, capital of the Arab Republic of Egypt in preparation for the general meeting on the cooperation between the League of Arab States and its organizations and the United Nations Organization and its agencies.

A delegation from ACSAD visits Saudi Arabia

A delegation from the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) will pay an official visit to Saudi Arabia during 22 -28 February 2008 on the occasion of its rejoining ACSAD.
ACSAD delegation will be headed by Prof. Dr. Farouk Saleh Fares, Director-General of ACSAD and will comprise the directors of different ACSAD departments in addition to a number of experts.
The visit aims to draw up plans and programs for cooperation between the Ministry of Agriculture in Saudi Arabia and ACSAD and study the possibility of opening an office in Saudi Arabia to follow up the cooperation programs and activities.
ACSAD delegation will also meet with the President of the Islamic Development Bank to discuss with him the mutual cooperation between ACSAD and the Bank.

Jojoba: the biodiesel fuel

Dr. Iman Odeh, field crops physiology expert, delivered a lecture on 14 February 2008 at ACSAD's headquarters in Damascus on jojoba and its economic importance.
Dr. Odeh mentioned in his lecture that jojoba is a shrub that can grow to 3-5m tall. It is also known in the Arab region as goat nut, deer nut and wild hazel. Plantations of jojoba can be established in marginal areas receiving 100-150mm of rainfall. Jojoba is grown for the liquid wax called jojoba oil which is often used in cosmetics. It is also has potential use as a biodiesel fuel and as a biodegradable lubricant. It can also be considered as an alternative to the wale oil.

Signing a memorandum of understanding between ACSAD and the Libyan Environment General Authority

A memorandum of understanding was signed on 7 February 2008 at ACSAD's headquarters in Damascus by Eng. Hussein Laswad, Assistant Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) and Dr. Ameen Al-Falah, Secretary of the Administrative Committee of the Libyan Environment General Authority.
This memorandum of understanding aims at preparing appropriate conditions for the conservation of the environment and the natural resources, building national capacities to tackle the environmental problems, increasing awareness of the causes of environment, exchanging knowledge and experiences, transferring technology and finally trying to gain regional and international support for the national initiatives aiming to improve the environment and help to achieve sustainable development.

2 workshops on the Initial Implementation of Joint Management in the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System and the Joint Management in the Nahr el- Kabir Al-Junoubi Basin

A delegation from the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) comprising Dr. Abdullah Droubi, director of the Department of Water Resources, Dr. Sameh Sakr, head of the program of the integrated management of water resources and Dr. Ihab Jnad, surface water expert, participated in the 2 Workshops on the Initial Implementation of Joint Management in the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System and the Joint Management in the Nahr el-Kabir Al-Junoubi Basin which were organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) in Cairo, Egypt during 14-17 January 2008.
The first workshop aimed at supporting the preparation of a draft joint management plan aimed specifically at hydrological monitoring network in the Nubian sandstone aquifer system.
The second workshop aimed at supporting the preparation of a draft joint management plan aimed specifically at hydrological monitoring network in the Nahr el-Kabir Al-Junoubi Basin. In this workshop ACSAD presented the main findings of the case study and preliminary results of the pilot project.

Training course at ACSAD on artificial insemination in small ruminants

The Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) organized a training course on artificial insemination in small ruminants during 27-31 January 2008 for technicians from Iraq.
The program of the training course included, among other things, lectures or practical trainings about the importance of artificial insemination in animal production, sheep production systems and herd management, reproduction in sheep and goats, methods of collecting and evaluating semen, control of the reproductive cycle in sheep and goats, artificial insemination in sheep and goats via the use of fresh and frozen semen and finally the diagnosis of pregnancy in sheep and goats.

Protecting the environmental system in the Arab oases

The 2nd meeting of the steering committee of the Project for the Protection of the Environment System in the Arab Oases was convened on 28 January 2008 with the presence of Eng. Hussein Laswad, Assistant Director- General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), Dr. Abdulhameed Al- Abdouli, representative of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the representatives of the two projects participating countries, namely Tunisia and Algeria.
The meeting discussed the Tunisian and Algerian reports pertaining to the progress of work in the implementation of the project in both countries, the achieved results and the prospects of the new phase of the project which aims at improving the environmental conditions in the Arab oases and achieving the sustainable use of the groundwater resources to improve the livelihood of the farmers living in these oases.

Heads of ACSAD and ICARDA discuss the cooperation between the two organizations

Prof. Dr. Farouk Saleh Fares, Director- General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) received at his office on 17 January 2008 Dr. Mahmoud Solh , Director- General of the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA).
Prof. Dr. Fares and Dr. Solh discussed the bilateral ties between the two organizations and the methods and means of activating the cooperation between the two sides in the fields of mutual concern, especially in the projects for monitoring and combating desertification, water resources, mathematical modeling, cereal program, monitoring the degradation of the vegetative cover and the question of climatic change.

Signing a Memorandum of Understanding between ACSAD and OSS

Eng. Hussein Laswad, Assistant Director- General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) and Dr. Youba Sokona, Executive Secretary of the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding at ACSAD's headquarters in Damascus, Syria. The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding took place at the end of a visit paid to ACSAD by Dr. Sokona which lasted from 9 to 11 January 2008.
The fields of cooperation under this Memorandum of Understanding include, among other things, land degradation, water resources, training and technology transfer and information systems. The two parties will exchange data and information, organize training courses and scientific gatherings and train Arab and African technical cadres in different fields.

Experts from ACSAD complete a scientific mission in Jordan

A number of experts from the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) paid a visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on 8 November 2007 in which they met with experts at the National Center for Agricultural Research and Extension and discussed with them the progress of work in the project for rainwater harvesting and the rehabilitation of the degraded rangelands. It is worth mentioning that this project is one of the activities being carried out within the framework of the cooperation between ACSAD and the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) to support the Arab countries in the implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat the Desertification (UNCCD(.

ACSAD experts start working in the implementation of the field activities of the Project for the Preparation of the Map of the Optimum Land Uses in the Republic of Sudan

A team of 17 multidiscipline experts from the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) started working, in cooperation with their Sudanese counterparts, in the implementation of the field activities of the Project for the Preparation of the Map of the Optimum Land Uses in the Republic of Sudan. The field mission of the ACSAD’s team, which lasts from 23 November to 17 December 2007, includes field surveys of the soil resources, surface water and groundwater, rangelands, forests, field crops, animal wealth and land degradation. It also includes a socioeconomic survey of the Project work sites which amount to 19 distributed to 500 study points.
This Project aims at identifying the sound basics of the optimum land uses in the Republic of Sudan so as to help achieve the sustainable agricultural development and conserve the environment in this country.
The first phase of the Project covers the eastern provinces of the country with an area amounting to about 525 km2.

Two training courses in Egypt and Tunisia

Within the framework of the cooperation in the field of training between the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) and the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform a training course on household economics was held in Egypt for 12 trainees for two weeks as of 4 November 2007.
On the other hand a second training course on land uses was held in Tunisia during 16-29 November 2007 for 25 Syrian trainees. This course included lectures and field trips and covered, among other things, subjects pertaining to soil properties and uses in Tunisia, the basics of using machinery in land management and the role of the agricultural extension programs in land uses.

Libyan technicians receive training at ACSAD

A Training Course on Seedling Production and Forest Nursery Management was held at the headquarters of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) in Damascus, Syria during 8-15 November 2007 for 15 technicians working in the agricultural sector in the Libyan Jamahiriya. This training course aimed at enhancing the knowledge of the trainees in the field of the establishment and management of the forest nurseries and the production of seed and seedlings. It also aimed at acquainting the trainees with the species suitable for planting in the arid and semi-arid environments.
It included lectures, practical training and field visits.

Participation in drawing up the agricultural development strategy for the two decades 2005-2025

Eng. Salah El-Kurdi, Director of the Department of Economy and Planning, represented The Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) at the preparatory meeting for the first meeting of the partners in the implementation of the Arab agricultural development strategy for the two decades 2005-2025 which was held in Cairo, Egypt during 3-6 November 2007.
The agenda of the preparatory meeting included, among other things, reviewing the objectives and components of the strategy and the progress of work in its implementation.
It was decided at this meeting to hold the first meeting during 17-18 February 2008 at the headquarters of the Secretariat General of the League of Arab States in Cairo, Egypt. Representatives of many Arab organizations and regional and international agencies will participate in this meeting.

A ceremony at al-Assad Library Auditorium to officially launch the Fourth Global Environment Outlook Report (GEO-4) (Environment for Development)

A ceremony was held on 28 October 2007 at al-Assad Library Auditorium under the auspices of H.E Eng. Hilal al-Atrash, Minister of Local Administration and Environment in the Syrian Arab Republic to officially launch the Fourth Global Environment Outlook Report (GEO-4) - (Environment for Development). A number of speeches were delivered at the ceremony which was organized by the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) in cooperation with the United Nations Environment Programme - Regional Office for West Asia (UNEP/ROWA).
Eng. Hussein Laswad, Assistant Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), delivered a speech at the ceremony in which he spoke about ACSAD activities during the last three decades which included carrying out many studies and surveys on the natural resources and monitoring their development via the use of the remote sensing techniques and the geographic information systems. Eng. Laswad mentioned that “ACSAD gives special attention to monitoring the water resources and the degradation of the land resources in the Arab region and study the best methods and means of managing water and soil resources and forests and rangelands”. He also mentioned that the Council of Arab Ministers Responsible for Environment (CAMRE) had assigned ACSAD with the task of following up the implementation of the three international environmental conventions, namely the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
After that Dr. Basel al-Yousefi, Deputy Director of the United Nations Environment Programme/ Regional Office for West Asia (UNEP/ROWA) delivered a speech in which he spoke about the importance of the Fourth Global Environment Outlook Report (GEO-4) and mentioned that “during a period of two years more than 390 scientists and experts participated in the preparation of this analytical study which was reviewed by more than 1,000 specialists from different parts of the world”.
Finally Dr. Akram al- Khouri, Director-General of the General Commission for Environmental Affairs in the Ministry of Local Administration and Environments in the Syrian Arab Republic, made a speech in which he stressed that “Syria gives great attention to the causes of environment and sustainable development.
It is worth mentioning that GEO-4 provides an overview of the global and regional environmental, social and economic state and trends over the period from 1987 to 2007. It highlights the challenges and opportunities which the environment provides for development and human well-being. The report also presents an outlook using four scenarios to explore the future.

Signing a cooperation agreement between ACSAD and the Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture in the fields of date palm cultivation and management and date production

Dr. Abdul Basit Ibrahim, Director of the Department of Plant Resources at the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), and Dr. Faraon Ahmad Husein, Director-General of the Date Palm General Authority of the Ministry of Agriculture in Iraq, signed on 18 November 2007 at ACSAD’s headquarters in Damascus the executive program for scientific and technical cooperation between the two sides in the fields of date palm cultivation and management and date production.
This agreement will help strengthen the cooperation between the two sides in the fields of scientific research, transfer of the new agricultural techniques and the training of the Iraqi technical cadres in the use of these techniques in date palm cultivation and management.

Preparation and publication of a book entitled “The Most Important Camel Diseases in the Arab World" - The section pertaining to the Hashemite kingdom of Jordan.

The Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) has prepared and published, in cooperation with the Jordanian Ministry of Agriculture, a book entitled “The Most Important Camel Diseases in the Arab World" - The section pertaining to the Hashemite kingdom of Jordan.
The book included three chapters. The first one covered the camels in Jordan and their numbers and geographic distribution. The second chapter covered the camel diseases (the parasitic and bacterial diseases). The last chapter covered the objective and methodology of the study.

H.E. Minister of Municipalities and Agriculture in the Kingdom of Bahrain visits ACSAD

H.E Sheikh Mansoor Bin Rajab, Minister of Municipalities and Agriculture in the Kingdom of Bahrain, visited ACSAD’s headquarters on 2 November 2007. H.E. and the accompanying delegation met with ACSAD Director-General Prof. Dr. Farouk Saleh Fares who gave the visiting delegation a general idea about ACSAD work and activities. After that ACSAD experts gave the visiting delegation a detailed description of ACSAD previous and current programs, projects and research activities in the fields of monitoring and combating desertification, rehabilitation of the degraded lands, uses of nontraditional multi-quality water in agriculture, the conservation agriculture, the integrated management of the water resources, protection of the water resources from contamination and depletion, rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge, production of high-yielding varieties of wheat and barley under different environmental stresses, improvement of the productivity of fruit trees in the arid areas, conservation and development of the natural rangelands, management of the forest resources, rehabilitation of the environmental systems in the arid areas, date palm research and development, genetic improvement of sheep and goats in the Arab countries, camel research and development, development of feed sources, the technical and economic feasibility studies of the agricultural development projects in the arid areas and finally ACSAD efforts in improving the technical capabilities of the Arab cadres.
H.E. the Bahraini Minister of Municipalities and Agriculture and the accompanying delegation visited ACSAD library, herbarium, laboratory and the section of the remote sensing and the geographic information system.
At the end of the visit H.E. the Bahraini Minister of Municipalities and Agriculture expressed his great admiration for ACSAD as an excellent Arab expertise house that can play a vital role in the achievement of the sustainable development.

International Symposium on the Management and Exploitation of the Arid Regions Soils

An international symposium on the Management and Exploitation of the Arid Regions Soils was held at Aleppo University during 29 - 31 October 2007. This Symposium was organized cooperatively by the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) and the Aleppo University – Faculty of Agriculture. The subjects of the Symposium centered on the following:
* Nature of the arid regions soils (physical, chemical and biological properties).
* Problems of the arid regions soils and methods of their treatment (drought, desertification, salinization, sodification, gypsum formation and pollution).
* Management of irrigation and fertilization systems in arid regions soils.
* Crop composition in arid regions soils (crop rotations, organic agriculture).
* Use of the remote sensing techniques in studying the current status of the arid regions soils.
The Symposium discussed also other subjects including, inter alia, the safe use of sludge and treated waste water in irrigation, methods of increasing the efficiency of irrigation and fertigation, conservation of the groundwater and surface water from pollution, the use of rainwater harvesting techniques, the safe use of the chemical fertilizers and the optimum use of the agricultural machinery.
ACSAD delegation to the Symposium included five experts who presented seven scientific papers about scientific experiments carried out by ACSAD in different Arab countries.

A delegation from the Sultanate of Oman visits ACSAD

Within the framework of the cooperation between the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) and the other Arab and regional organizations a delegation from the sultanate of Oman representing the Committee on the Two Books of Horses and Racing Camels visited ACSAD’s headquarters on 31 October 2007.
The Omani delegation met with Dr. Riad Kasem, Scientific Consultant to the Director-General of ACSAD, Dr. Abdelhai Guerouali, Director of the ACSAD Department of Animal Wealth and with some experts from ACSAD. Dr. Guerouali gave the members of the Omani delegation a general idea about the programs and activities of the ACSAD Department of Animal Wealth and also about the most important findings of the previous period and the planned future activities.

ACSAD organizes a workshop in Libya on the Use of the Decision Support Systems in the Management of the Groundwater and Soil Resources

A workshop on the Use of the Decision Support Systems in the Management of the Groundwater and Soil Resources was organized by the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) in Tripoli, Libya during 22-24 October 2007 in cooperation with the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) and the General Water Authority in Libya.
This workshop aimed to acquaint the participants with the Arab and international experiences in the field of the preparation and use of the decision support systems via a comprehensive view of the water resources and their uses at the level of the water basin in a way that helps to achieve the sustainable development and protect the water environment.

ACSAD film entitled (The Arabian Deserts: the Everlasting Giving and the Challenge of Desertification) wins the prize of the University of Agriculture in the Czech Republic

ACSAD film entitled (The Arabian Deserts: the Everlasting Giving and the Challenge of Desertification) won the prize of the University of Agriculture at the 24thAgro-film Festival which was held in the Czech Republic during 1 – 5 October 2007.
The film was made by the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) in cooperation with the United Nations Environment Programme / Regional Office for West Asia (UNEP/ROWA) to celebrate the International Year of Desert and Desertification 2006.
It highlights the importance of the Arabian deserts and the experiences of ACSAD and some Arab countries in rehabilitating the degraded lands and combating desertification.

Energy Management and the Available Renewable Energies in Syria

Dr. Eng. Mohammad Ahmad Adeeb, delivered a lecture at ACSAD’s headquarters in Damascus on 21 October 2007 entitled “Energy Management and the Available Renewable Energies in Syria”. Dr. Eng. Adeeb mentioned in his lecture that “there is no problem in energy resources in Syria and that the lack of management and proper exploitation of the energy resources are in fact the real problem”.
Dr. Eng. Adeeb spoke also about projects presented to the Syrian government in the field of energy including projects for producing electricity from the solar energy and from wind energy and household waste.

The Fourth Global Environment Outlook Report (GEO-4) will be launched in 40 cities around the world including Damascus

The Second Global Intergovernmental and Multi-stakeholder Consultation on the fourth Global Environment Outlook report (GEO-4) was held at the headquarters of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi, Kenya, from 24-26 September 2007.
This Consultation was attended by 210 participants from all over the world including representatives of 70 countries and 110 scientists representing the main authors and coordinators of the report. Dr. Fares Asfary, represented the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) at this Consultation whose objective was for governments and other stakeholders to consider the GEO-4 findings and adopt the GEO-4 Summary for decision-makers.
The report, which pays special attention to the role and impact of the environment on human well-being, will be launched on 28 October 2007 in Damascus, capital of the Syrian Arab Republic.

ACSAD participates in the eighth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP8)

The Spanish capital Madrid hosted the eight session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP8) from 3 to 14 September 2007. Representatives of 191 countries attended the session in addition to 43 delegations representing international and regional organizations and funding agencies, 81 non-governmental organizations and 70 parliamentarians representing 70 countries. The conference was attended also by Arab delegations from Saudi Arabia, Syria, Yemen, Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, Tunisia, Djibouti, Mauritania, Somalia, Libya, Algeria, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Sudan, and Morocco.
The Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) was represented at this session by Dr. Algini Abdulgwad, Consultant to the Director-General of ACSAD, and Dr. Khaled Ben-Mahmoud, Director of the Department of Soil and Water Uses.
The subjects reviewed at the Conference include, inter alia, the following: * The reports of the participating countries about the progress of work in the implementation of the Convention. * A number of scientific papers pertaining to land degradation, desertification and climate change.
* Discussing the results of the scientific conferences and workshops on combating desertification which were held after the seventh session. * Discussing the Algerian initiative for declaring the next decade 2010-2020 as a decade for combating desertification * Reviewing the financial issues and the budgets and discussing the activation of the role of the funding agencies. * Reviewing the results of the celebration of the International Year of Desert and Desertification 2006.
* Following up the implementation of the decisions of the World Summit on Sustainable Development which was held in South Africa in 2002.
The representatives of ACSAD and Saudi Arabia played a coordinating role within the Arab group so as to unify the Arab attitudes vis-à-vis the issues submitted to the Conference.
The most important recommendations of the Conference include: Thanking the Spanish government for hosting the Conference, supporting the U.N. Convention to Combat Desertification in all regions and mobilizing funding for its implementation, strengthening the cooperation between the three environmental conventions (the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, the Convention on Biological Diversity and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change).

Climate change and desertification

Dr. Wadid Erian, Head of the Section of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems, represented the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) at the Workshop on Climate Change and Desertification: Monitoring, Modeling and Forecasting which was held in Wengen, Switzerland during 10-13 September 2007.
The workshop gave particular attention to topics pertaining to desertification including the most important environmental problems and the interaction between climatic, environmental and human factors. The participants discussed also the problem of the dispersion of the scientific information about desertification and climate change.

The Fourth Global Environment Outlook Report (GEO-4) will be launched in 40 cities around the world including Damascus

ACSAD participates in Amman meeting on the strategy drawn up by IFAD

Dr. Abddelhai Guerouali, Director of the Department of Animal Wealth, represented the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) at the meeting held in Amman, Jordan on 17 September 2007 on the strategy drawn up by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) which aims at supporting the efforts of the Jordanian government in alleviating poverty in the rural areas.
Dr. Guerouali delivered a speech at the meeting in which he spoke about the experiences available at ACSAD in the fields of rainwater harvesting in the steppe areas to help develop the rangelands; improvement of sheep, goats and camels via the introduction of the techniques of artificial insemination and embryo transfer and finally the protection of the natural resources.

Secretary of the People’s Committee of Agriculture, Animal and Marine Wealth in the Libyan Jamahiriya receives ACSAD delegation

Dr. Abu Bakr al-Mansouri, Secretary of the People’s Committee of Agriculture, Animal and Marine Wealth in Libya received ACSAD delegation which visited the Libyan Jamahiriya during the period 23-25 September 2007. ACSAD delegation was composed of Eng. Hussein Laswad, ACSAD Assistant Director General, and Dr. Abdullah Droubi, Director of the Department of Water Resources in addition to ACSAD Resident Representative in Libya. The two sides discussed matters of mutual concern.
During the visit ACSAD delegation and the General Libyan Water Authority signed the minutes of cooperation agreement between the two sides to implement the Project for Studying Evaporation and Evapotranspiration.

High-ranking Sudanese Delegation Visits ACSAD

Prof. Dr. Farouk Saleh Fares, Director- General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) discussed with a scientific team of Sudanese experts headed by Prof. Dr. Mohammad Hasan Jbara, Director-General of the International Cooperation at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests in Sudan the main steps completed by ACSAD vis-à-vis the first phase of the Project for the Preparation of the Map of Optimum Land Uses in Sudan which is now in operation with the aim to help achieve sustainable agricultural development in this country.
The Sudanese team, which visited ACSAD during the period 27 August - 3 September 2007, discussed with a team of ACSAD experts a number of relevant subjects pertaining to soil, land degradation, water resources, plant resources, animal wealth resources and rangelands and forests. The two sides discussed also the activities carried out in the socioeconomic fields.

ACSAD sends improved animals to the Libyan Jamahiriya

The Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) sent to the Libyan Jamahiriya on 11 September 2007 90 females and 10 males of the improved Damascus goats for milk production in addition to 10 males of the improved Awassi sheep for milk and twin production.
This step aims to improve the indigenous breeds via cross-breeding. It is worth mentioning that ACSAD program for the improvement of sheep and goat breeds in the Arab countries depends either on traditional methods for transferring the improved genetic genotypes or on modern techniques such as artificial insemination and embryo transfer.

A Scientific Lecture at ACSAD about the Conservation Agriculture in Australia

A scientific lecture entitled “Interaction of Plant and Animal Production within the Conservation Agriculture in Australia” was delivered by Dr. D. Colin Piggin, expert in conservation agriculture in Australia, at the headquarters of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) in Damascus, Syria on 13 September 2007.
Dr. D. Colin Piggin gave in his lecture an idea about the agricultural production in Australia during the last 150 years highlighting the vital role played by management in improving production and increasing the level of productivity. He stressed that the introduction of legumes into the crop rotation increases agricultural production, especially when the nitrogen fertilizer is used and the conservation agriculture is followed.

ACSAD participates in the 80th Session of the Arab Economic and Social Council

Dr. Nasser Eldin Obeid, Director of the Department of Administrative and Financial Affairs, and Eng. Salah El-Kurdi, Director of the Department of Economy and Planning, represented the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) at the 80th session of the Economic and Social Council of the League of Arab States which was held in Cairo, Egypt during 31 August to 7 September 2007.
The agenda of the Session included the report of the Secretary General of the League of Arab States, the preparations for the next Arab Summit Conference, the subjects pertaining to the specialized Arab organizations, the periodic economic subjects, supporting the Iraqi economy, the plan for developing teaching in the Arab world and the reports of the ministerial councils, committees and working teams.

ACSAD organizes an exploration tour in Tunisia for cadres working in the Project for the Development of the Syrian Steppe

The Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) organized during 24 August - 6 September 2007 an exploration tour in Tunisia for cadres working in the Project for the Development of the Syrian Steppe.
This tour aimed to acquaint the participants with the trials and research activities in Tunisia in the field of animal production in both the public and private sectors. It included visits to many sites to allow the participants to see firsthand the work in the fields of animal breeding, genetic improvement, production, processing and marketing.

ACSAD Organizes a Training Course on the Use of the Mathematical Models in the Management of the Water Resources

The Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) organized during 10 – 12 September 2007 a Training Course on the Use of the Mathematical Models in the Management of the Water Resources for specialists from the directorates of water resources concerned with the Orontes basin in the Syrian provinces of Homs, Hama, Edleb and Aleppo.
The organization of this training course came within the framework of the Project for the Preparation the Mathematical Model for the Orontes Basin which is being carried out by ACSAD in cooperation with the Syrian Ministry of Irrigation and the Institute for Inland Water Management and Waste Water Treatment (RIZA) in the Netherlands.

Training Course at ACSAD on the Use of the Developed Decision Support System

A Training Course on the Use of the Developed Decision Support System in the Management, Protection and Sustainable Use of the Groundwater and Soil Resources was held at the headquarters of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) in Damascus, Syria during the period 2 –6 September 2007.
This training course was organized by ACSAD in cooperation with the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) for specialists from Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Palestine.

Findings of an Applied Scientific Research by ACSAD Experts are Published in Canada

The quarterly Eurasian Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (JAES) published an applied scientific research carried out by ACSAD experts entitled “The Effect of Using Urban Treated and Untreated Wastewater Effluents on Soil and Agricultural Crops Pollution in Syria (Damascus - Ghouta).
This scientific research, which lasted for 2 years, was carried out by Eng. Omar Jouzdan, Prof. Dr. Farouk Saleh Fares, ACSAD Director-General and Prof. Dr. Algilani Abdulgawad.

Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Affairs of the League of Arab States visits ACSAD’s headquarters

Prof. Dr. Farouk Saleh Fares, Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) received Prof. Dr. Mohammad Ibraheem al-Tueijri, Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Affairs of the League of Arab States who visited ACSAD’s headquarters in Damascus on 10 September 2007. The two sides discussed the Arab joint action and the means of fostering and increasing it with the aim to help achieve the sustainable agricultural development in the Arab region.
Prof. Dr. al-Tueijri praised the work of ACSAD and stressed the importance of ACSAD’s role in the fields of research, studies, transfer of experiences and development of the Arab skills.

A Molecular Genetic Study and Evaluation of the Feed Value of Some Species of PisumSPP in Syria

A doctoral thesis entitled “A Molecular Genetic Study and Evaluation of the Feed Value of Some Species of PisumSPP in Syria” was examined on 22 August 2007 with the participation of experts from the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD).
The examination of the above thesis, which was presented by Eng. Gheda al-Ameer, was attended by a number of teachers, specialists and experts in the field of field crops and animal production from different faculties of agriculture in Syria and from ACSAD and the Syrian General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research.

Iraqi Technicians Receive Training at ACSAD

The Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) organized during 25-30 August 2007 a Training Course on Remote Sensing and Digital Processing of Satellite Data for a number of Iraqi technicians working in the General Organization for Combating Desertification of the Ministry of Agriculture in Iraq.
The organization of this training course came within the framework of the agreement signed between ACSAD and the Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture to train cadres working in the Iraqi agricultural sector.

An Iraqi Researcher Delivers a Scientific Lecture at ACSAD

Dr. Kamel Majeed Mohammad, a researcher from Iraq, delivered a scientific lecture on 23 August 2007 at the headquarters of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) entitled “comparing methods of surface and subsurface drip irrigation and their use for corn crop”. The findings of the research proved the possibility of benefiting from these techniques in improving the efficiency of water use.

A working meeting at ACSAD on the Project for the Preparation of the Mathematical Model for the Orontes Basin

A working meeting was held at ACSAD’s headquarters in Damascus on 23 August 2007 with the aim to discuss the work achieved in the Project for the Preparation of the Mathematical Model for the Orontes Basin.
At the end of the meeting the duties and responsibilities were distributed among the participating parties, namely the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), the Ministry of Irrigation in Syria and the Institute for Inland Water Management and Waste Water Treatment (RIZA) in the Netherlands. The above Project aims to study and evaluate the water resources in the Orontese basin and draw up an exploitation water budget for it.

An Expert from ACSAD Delivers a Lecture on the Effect of Treated Wastewater Irrigation on the Properties of Soil and Crops

Eng. Omar Jouzdan, an expert in soil and water uses at ACSAD, delivered a lecture on 22 August 2007 entitled "the Effect of Treated Wastewater Irrigation on the Properties of Soil and Crops",
The delivery of the lecture took place within the framework of the Training Course on the Optimum Use and Classification of the Traditional and Nontraditional Irrigation waters, the Selection of the Proper Irrigation Methods and the Use of Nuclear Techniques in Water and Soil Sciences which was organized by the Syrian Atomic Energy Commission at its headquarters in Damascus, Syria during 19-30 August 2007 for 26 engineers and university teachers from a number of Arab countries.

A delegation from the General Water Authority in Libya visits ACSAD

A delegation from the General Water Authority in the Libyan Jamahiriya paid a visit to ACSAD’s headquarters in Damascus, Syria during 19-22 August 2007.
The visiting delegation held meetings with ACSAD experts from the Department of Water Resources. The two sides discussed the progress of work in the Project for the Preparation of the Maps of Groundwater Vulnerability to Pollution in the Jamahiriya which is implemented by ACSAD in cooperation with the Libyan General Water Authority. They also discussed some relevant technical matters and agreed on the steps to be implemented later.
It is worth mentioning that the above Project aims to provide planners and decision- makers in the Libyan Jamahiriya with proper technical methods and information and help in tackling the problems of pollution and the degradation of the water environment.

ACSAD helps in combating desertification in Saudi Arabia

A delegation of ACSAD experts visited Saudi Arabia during the period 4-11 August 2007 to continue the technical work in the Project for the Study of Desertification in the Southwestern Area of Saudi Arabia which is being implemented by ACSAD in cooperation with the Saudi Geological Survey.
The visit aimed, among other things, to supervise the hydrogeological surveys in the selected area to obtain the data necessary for the preparation of the hydrogeological report via benefiting from the results of the geophysical interpretation. It also aimed to make a preliminary survey of the vegetative cover in the selected area and train the technicians from the Saudi Geological Survey how to identify land degradation.

Advanced Training Course on the Use of ASTER Images to Calculate the Area Grown with Agricultural Crops and Estimate its Yield

The Advanced Training Course on the Use of ASTER Images to Calculate the Area Grown with Agricultural Crops and Estimate its Yield was organized for 18 technicians working in the Project for the Survey of the Natural and Agricultural Resources of the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform and the General Organization for Remote Sensing in the Syrian Arab Republic.
This training course, which lasted from 15 July to 2 August 2007, aimed to train the participants how to calculate the area grown with agricultural crops and estimate its yield via the use of ASTER images, monitor the effect of desertification on the agricultural lands through studying soil degradation and finally monitor the state of plant growth at the regional level.

ACSAD participates in the International Conference on Sustainable Development and Management of Water Resources in Palestine

Dr. Abdullah Droubi, Director of the Department of Water Resources, represented the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) at the International Conference on Sustainable Development and Management of Water Resources in Palestine which was held in Amman in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan during 25-28 August 2007.
Dr. Droubi gave a summary at the Conference about ACSAD work and objectives. He mentioned that ACSAD provided training for a number of technicians from the Palestinian Water Authority via funding provided by the Islamic Development Bank and stressed that ACSAD would be always ready to organize any training program that might be proposed by the concerned parties in Palestine.

Meeting of the Steering Committee of the Project for the Protection of the Environmental System in the Arab Oases

A meeting was organized at ACSAD’s headquarters during 4-5 July 2007 for the Steering Committee of the Project for the Protection of the Environmental System in the Arab Oases which is financed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and implemented by ACSAD in a number of Arab countries.
The participants in the meeting discussed the progress of work in the project and matters of mutual concern.

ACSAD participates in the 12th Meeting of the Subcommittee on Climate Change

Dr. Wadid Erian, Head of the Section of the Remote Sensing Laboratory and Geographic Information Systems, represented the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) at the 12th Meeting of the Subcommittee on Climate Change which was held during 24-26 July 2007 at the headquarters of the Secretariat General of the League of Arab States in Cairo, Egypt.
ACSAD representative made some important remarks during the meeting about the role of ACSAD in the field of combating desertification and the rehabilitation of the degraded lands.

Conclusion of the Training Workshop on Water Resources Monitoring and Data Management Systems (3 – 30 July 2007)

A ceremony was held on 30 July 2007 at ACSAD’s headquarters in Damascus, Syria on the occasion of the conclusion of the Training Workshop on Water Resources Monitoring and Data Management Systems which was organized by ACSAD in cooperation with the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) for 20 trainees from 14 English-speaking African countries.
Dr. Nabi Rasheed Mohammad, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform in the Syrian Arab Republic, delivered a speech at the ceremony in which he spoke about the urgent need for the provision of the integrated databases to help identify the agricultural and development policies. He thanked both ACSAD and BADEA for organizing this important training workshop and stressed that: “the cooperation between these two organizations can be considered as a good example of the cooporation between the regional and international organizations”.
Prof. Dr. Farouk Saleh Fares, Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) delivered a speech in which he spoke about the importance of the cooperation between ACSAD and BADEA and mentioned that: “ACSAD is always ready to transfer its experiences to the friendly African countries to help achieve the sustainable development in these countries.
Ms. Fatima Abdulrahaman Yousef, representative of BADEA, also delivered a speech at the ceremony in which she spoke about the maximum importance of the water question in achieving the sustainable economic and environmental development in Africa. She mentioned that: “ACSAD has gained valuable experiences that enabled it to become an important expertise house at the Arab and international levels”.
After that Eng. Soni Elisha Johnfrom from Nigeria made a speech in the name of the participants in which he expressed gratitude to both ACSAD and BADEA for organizing this training workshop.
The ceremony was concluded with the distribution of certificates for the participants in the training workshop.

ACSAD Participates in the Training Workshop on Watershed Management

Dr. Ihab Jnad, surface water resources expert, represented the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) at the Training Workshop on Watershed Management which was held in Amman, Jordan during 22-27 July 2007.
Dr. Jnad delivered scientific lectures at the training workshop on the mathematical modeling of the water resources via the use of the mathematical model WMS. He also gave the participants an idea about the relevant projects being carried out by ACSAD in different Arab countries.

Meeting of Experts within the Framework of the Preparation for Phase 2 of the Project for Creating a Decision Support System in Water Resources Management

Within the framework of the cooperation between the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) and the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) a meeting was held at ACSAD’s headquarters in Damascus, Syria on 17 July 2007 with the participation of ACSAD representatives in addition to representatives from BGR and from a number of concerned Syrian institutes.
The meeting discussed the achievements under the current phase of cooperation in creating a decision support system in water resources management through which different scenarios can be reached for water plans. It also discussed what ACSAD had envisaged for the next phase of the project.

ACSAD and BADEA Hold a Training Workshop on Water Resources Monitoring and Data Management Systems (3-30 July 2007)

The opening ceremony of the Training Workshop on Water Resources Monitoring and Data Management Systems was held at ACSAD’s headquarters in Damascus on Tuesday 3 July 2007 under the auspices of H.E. Prof. Dr. Adel Safar, Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform in the Syrian Arab Republic.
This training workshop, which is financed by the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), is attended by 21 trainees from 15 English- speaking African countries (Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Swaziland, Sierra Leone, Seychelles, Ghana, Gambia, Liberia, Mauritius, Malawi, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria and Mozambique).
At the beginning of the opening ceremony Eng. Hussein Laswad, ACSAD Assistant Director-General, made a speech in which he thanked Mr. Abdulazeez Khalaf, Director-General of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) for selecting ACSAD as one of the Arab scientific centers for training technicians from the friendly African countries. Eng. Laswad mentioned that “ACSAD has carried out many activities in the Arab region in the field of the organization of water monitoring networks and the establishment of water databases linked to the geographic information systems”. He noted that “the experience gained by ACSAD experts in this field prompted ACSAD to propose the organization of this training workshop with the aim of putting this experience at the service of the African countries”.
After that Prof. Dr. Majd Jamal, Director-General of the General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research of the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform, delivered a speech on behalf of H.E. Prof. Dr. Adel Safar, Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform in the Syrian Arab Republic in which he mentioned that the situation of the water resources in Syria, which was showing signs of shortage in many basins, prompted the Syrian government to adopt a water policy based on rationalizing the use of water in agriculture and changing to modern irrigation methods as a substitute for flood irrigation and also updating the data pertaining to the water basins via the use of modern techniques. He thanked both ACSAD and BADEA for organizing this important training workshop.
The training workshop aims to train the participants in the new methods of using the data starting from their monitoring, storage and processing and ending in their use in the survey and evaluation of the water resources ,the preparation of water plans and policies and the design and operation of the water projects. The participants will be trained theoretically and practically in the following:
- The advanced methods of obtaining water data.
- Designing different hydrological monitoring networks.
- Preparation and use of the water databases.
- The use of the geographic information systems, which are linked with the databases, in the survey, development and management of the water resources.
It is worth mentioning that this training workshop ranks ninth in a series of training workshops organized by ACSAD and BADEA and this is indicative of the close and fruitful cooperation between the two organizations.

2 Study Tours in Egypt for Personnel Working in the Project for the Development of the Syrian Steppe

Dr. Nasser Eldin Obeid, Director of the Department of Administrative and Financial Affairs at the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), paid a visit to Egypt to follow up the activities of the 2 study tours which were organized by ACSAD in Egypt for 22 personnel working in the Project for the Development of the Syrian Steppe.
The 2 study tours were organized during the period 24 June - 8 July 2007 and their program included, among other things, lectures about the media support plans and methods and how to establish media support centers. It also included a lecture about ACSAD’s role in the economic development in the Arab world given by Dr. Obeid.

ACSAD Director-General Heads ACSAD Delegation to Bahrain to Celebrate the World Day to Combat Desertification

The World Day to Combat Desertification was celebrated on 17 June 2007 in Manama, capital of the Kingdom of Bahrain under the auspices of his Royal Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Head of the General Commission for the Protection of Marine Resources, Environment and Wildlife.
The Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) was represented at this celebration by a high-ranking delegation headed by Prof. Dr. Farouk Saleh Fares, Director-General of ACSAD. ACSAD delegation included Eng. Hussein Laswad, ACSAD Assistant Director General, Dr. Nasser Eldin Obeid, Director of the Department of Administrative and Financial Affairs and Eng. Salah El-Kurdi, Director of the Department of Economy and Planning.
On this occasion ACSAD and the United Nations Environment Program / Regional Office for West Asia (UNEP/ROWA) presented a documentary film and a pictorial atlas carrying the title “the Arabian Deserts – the Everlasting Giving and the Challenge of Desertification” which have been produced cooperatively by the two sides with a contribution made by UNESCO.
The Director General of ACSAD delivered a speech at this celebration in which he explained that “desertification represents nowadays one of the most important problems facing the destiny of the nations of the world. He called on the international community to join forces to combat this phenomenon and rehabilitate the nature at a comprehensive and global level.

The Second Meeting of the Working Team Assigned with the Task of Preparing for the 16th Session of the U.N. Commission on Sustainable Development and the Meeting of Experts for Preparing the Executive Plan for Establishing Sub-regional Gene Banks

The opening ceremony of the Second Meeting of the Working Team Assigned with the Task of Preparing for the 16th Session of the U.N. Commission on Sustainable Development and the Meeting of Experts for Preparing the Executive Plan for Establishing Sub-regional Gene Banks was held at ACSAD’s headquarters in Damascus, Syria on 25 June 2007.
At the beginning of the opening ceremony Dr. Ahmad Ghusn delivered the speech of the United Nations Environment Programme / Regional Office for West Asia (UNEP/ROWA) in which he said: ‘the Arab region is considered as an important source of the plant genetic resources’. He also said: ‘the unsustainable management and the great pressures the on environmental systems in this region increase the risk of the degradation and extinction of these resources and therefore it is necessary to take prompt actions to conserve these resources and establish gene banks for this reason’.
After that Eng. Hussein Laswad, ACSAD Assistant Director-General delivered a speech in which he said: ‘the provision of food for the people is one of the most important challenges facing the Arab region and this makes it very necessary to exploit the natural resources in an optimum way so as to conserve these resources for the coming generations’.
Finally Dr. Jamal Addeen Jab Allah, representative of the Technical Secretariat of the Council of Arab Ministers Responsible for the Environment (CAMRE), made a speech in which he said: ‘the Technical Secretariat of CAMRE gives maximum importance to the cooperation with the concerned regional and international organizations with a view to finding proper solutions to the environmental problems affecting the Arab region and helping in achieving the sustainable development in this region’.
The Second Meeting of the Working Team Assigned with the Task of Preparing for the 16th Session of the U.N. Commission on Sustainable Development was attended by representatives from the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD), the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARD) in addition to representatives from ACSAD, UNEP/ROWA and the Technical Secretariat of CAMRE.
The Meeting of Experts for Preparing the Executive Plan for Establishing Sub-regional Gene Banks was attended by representatives from the Convention on Biological Diversity and from 7 Arab countries and 5 Arab, Regional and international organizations.

Meetings of the 28th Session of ACSAD Executive Council (19 – 20 May 2007)

The opening ceremony of the meetings of the 28th Session of the ACSAD Executive Council was held in Damascus, Syria on 19 May 2007 under the patronage of H.E. Eng. Mohammad Naji Otri, Prime Minister in the Syrian Arab Republic.
Prof. Dr. Farouk Saleh Fares, Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) delivered a speech at the beginning of the ceremony in which “he referred, among other things, to the decisions of the two Arab Summit Conferences of Khartoum and Riyadh pertaining to the development and improvement of the work of the Arab specialized organizations and stressed ACSAD determination to draw up a new work strategy that takes into consideration putting these decisions into effect depending on the most modern developments in different fields of science and technology”.
H.E. Eng. Mohamed Al-Amin Kabashi, Minister of Agriculture and Forests in Sudan and President of ACSAD Executive Council, delivered a speech in which he praised ACSAD for its important role in improving plant and animal productivity, limiting rangeland degradation, combating desertification, rehabilitating the degraded lands and improving the level and efficiency of the water resources management. He also thanked Syria for hosting these meetings.
Deputizing for H.E. Eng. Mohammad Naji Otri, Prime Minister in the Syrian Arab Republic, Prof. Dr. Adel Safar, Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform and President of ACSAD General Assembly, delivered a speech in which he spoke “about the importance of activating the Arab joint economic action and supporting its institutes. He also spoke about the importance of the Arab cooperation under the difficult circumstances facing the Arab region and the state of chaos prevailing in the world nowadays because of negative international policies which provoke disputes and conflicts. Prof. Dr. Safar praised the vital and active role played by ACSAD as an Arab house of expertise.

H.E. the Prime Minister in the Syrian Arab Republic Receives
the Heads of the Arab Delegations Participating in the 28th Session of
the ACSAD Executive Council

H.E. Eng. Mohammad Naji Otri, Prime Minister in the Syrian Arab Republic, received at his office in Damascus on 20 May 2007 their Excellencies the heads of the Arab delegations participating in the 28th Session of the ACSAD Executive Council with the presence of H.E. Prof. Dr. Adel Safar, Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform in the Syrian Arab Republic, and Prof. Dr. Farouk Saleh Fares, Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD).
The heads of the Arab delegations participating in the 28th Session of the ACSAD Executive Council also paid a visit to H.E. Mr. Mohamed Said Bkheitan, the Assistant Regional Secretary of the Baath Arab Socialist Party in the Syrian Arab Republic, who explained to them the great pressures experienced by Syria because of its steadfast attitude against the U.S. policy in the region.

Sudanese Trainees at ACSAD

The Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) organized during the period from 13 to 17 May 2007 a training course on rangeland development for a number of technicians from Sudan.
The program of the training course included lectures about the scientific methods used in the survey of the range plant cover and the estimation of the rangeland carrying capacity and the means of rehabilitating the degraded lands and combating desertification. The practical training took place at the site of the Project for Monitoring and Combating Desertification in the area of Jabal Al-Bishri in Syria.

Training Course on the Evaluation of the Agricultural Projects

The Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) organized a training course on the Evaluation of the Agricultural Projects for 14 technicians working in institutes belonging to the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform in the Syrian Arab Republic.
The program of the training course, which was organized during13-17 May 2007, included, inter alia, training in the general principles of the agro-economic planning and the phases of the project planning; the market studies and the marketing feasibility of the projects; the economic, social and environmental feasibility of the projects and the methods of settling the loans.

A Delegation from the Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committee Visits ACSAD

Twenty agricultural engineers from the Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committee visited ACSAD’s headquarters on 13 May 2007.
The visiting delegation was received by high- ranking ACSAD officials who gave its members an idea about ACSAD activities in the fields of the improvement of animal and plant wealth, management of the surface water and groundwater resources, land management and water uses, monitoring and combating desertification and the rehabilitation of the degraded lands.

Students from the Arab Forest and Range Institute Visit ACSAD

Forty students from the Arab Forest and Range Institute of the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development visited the headquarters of ACSAD in Damascus on 10 May 2007.
ACSAD experts gave the visiting students a general idea about ACSAD activities in the fields of rangeland improvement and management, land management and water uses, management of water resources, development of feed resources and the use of the remote sensing techniques and the geographic information systems.

ACSAD Organizes a Field Day on Cereal Crops (durum wheat, breadwheat and barley)

The Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) organized a field day on cereal crops on 15 May 2007 at ACSAD agricultural research station in Ezraa in southern Syria.
This field day was attended by 37 university teachers, agricultural engineers, technicians and farmers mainly from the Syrian universities and from different institutes or branches belonging to the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform and the Peasants’ General Union.
The program of the field day included giving an idea about ACSAD agricultural research station in Ezraa and the activities being carried out at this station in the fields of plant and animal production. It also included a detailed explanation of the objectives and strategy of the ACSAD cereal program and the most important projects carried out within the framework of this program, especially in the field of the development of improved varieties tolerant of different environmental and biological stresses (especially drought and diseases).
An important discussion session was held at the end of the field day in which ACSAD experts answered all questions raised by the participants about the different activities of the ACSAD cereal program.

The Executive Council of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) holds its meetings in Damascus

The opening ceremony of the meetings of the 28th session of the Executive Council of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) will be held on Saturday 19 May 2007 at the Meridien Hotel in Damascus under the auspices of H.E. Eng. Mohammad Naji Otri, the Syrian Prime Minister, with the presence of H. E. Prof. Dr. Adel Safar, Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform in the Syrian Arab Republic.
The meetings of the ACSAD Executive Council will be attended by Their Excellencies the ministers of agriculture in Sudan, Tunisia, Iraq, Palestine, Egypt, Morocco and Algeria.
The agenda of the meetings includes, among other things, the report of the ACSAD Director-General, the report on the progress of work for 2006, following up the implementation of the decisions of the ACSAD Executive Council and General Assembly, ACSAD’s achievements in 2006 and the drawing up of a new work strategy for ACSAD.

ACSAD Organizes an International Workshop on Conservation Agriculture (Damascus 7 – 9 May 2007)

The opening ceremony of the International Workshop on Conservation Agriculture for Sustainable Land Management to Improve the Livelihood of People in Dry Areas was held at ACSAD’s headquarters in Damascus on 7 May 2007 under the auspices of H.E. Prof. Dr. Adel Safar, Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform in the Syrian Arab Republic.
Researchers from different parts of the world participated in this workshop which was organized by ACSAD in cooperation with the German Agency for International Development (GTZ) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development (AAAID) and the United Nations Environment Programme / Regional Office for West Asia (UNEP/ROWA) also contributed to the organization of this workshop.
Prof. Dr. Farouk Saleh Fares, Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) delivered a speech at the opening ceremony in which he spoke about the importance of the role played by ACSAD in the field of developing the arid and semi- arid areas in the Arab region in cooperation with local, regional and international institutes and organizations. Prof. Dr. Fares also spoke about “the paramount importance of the conservation agriculture which can help improve and increase the agricultural production in the Arab countries and bridge the food gap in these countries”.
Prof. Dr. Adel Safar, Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform in the Syrian Arab Republic also delivered a speech at the opening ceremony in which he spoke about “the importance of the conservation agriculture, especially with the increase of talk recently about desertification, frequency of drought cycles and climatic changes all over the world”.
The subjects of the workshop centered mainly on the following:
* Effect of the conservation agriculture on soil sustainability and productivity.
* Effect of the conservation agriculture on water use efficiency.
* Management of farming systems, crop rotations, crop residues, interaction between crop and animal, weed control and agricultural machinery.
* Economic effects of the conservation agriculture at the farm level (cost of production and income) and also at the national level.
* The followed methodology (participatory, technical, development, extension).
* Issues of agricultural policies, the supporting policy, mobilization of support and demonstration of the system’s advantages).
The workshop also included scientific papers, posters, discussion groups, video films and information publications.

Management and Treatment of Water in the Arid and Semiarid Areas

Dr. Ihab Jnad, expert on surface water resources, Dr. Jihad Mahamid, expert on mathematical modeling and Eng.Omar Jouzdan, specialist in soil and water uses, represented the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) at the Workshop on the Management and Treatment of Water in the Arid and Semiarid Areas which was financed by UNEP/ROWA and organized by the Association of the Syrian Engineers (Aleppo Branch) during 28-30 April 2007.
ACSAD delegation to the workshop presented 4 scientific papers.

Cooperation Agreement between ACSAD and the Saudi Geological Survey

Eng. Hussein Laswad, Assistant Director- General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) and H.E. Dr. Zohair Bin Abdul Hafeez Nawab, President of the Saudi Geological Survey, signed a cooperation agreement under which ACSAD will study desertification in the southwestern area of Saudi Arabia.
The signing of the cooperation agreement took place during a visit to ACSAD’s headquarters by a delegation from the Saudi Geological Survey headed by Dr. Nawab during 28 -30April 2007.

ACSAD Hosts an Expert Meeting to Prepare the Executive Plan for the
Establishment of 4 Sub-Regional Gene Banks in the Arab World

An expert meeting will be held at ACSAD’s headquarters in Damascus, Syria during 25-27 June 2007 with the aim of preparing the executive plan for the establishment of 4 sub-regional gene banks in Morocco, Egypt, Syria and Saudi Arabia.
The meeting aims to:
- Identify the method and mechanism of exchanging plant samples between the national and sub-regional gene banks.
- Organizing an information linkage network via the Internet between the sub-regional and national gene banks in each area.
- Drawing up an executive plan for the activities required from the participating parties.

A Training Course at ACSAD on Agricultural Techniques in Fruit Trees Fields in the Arid Areas

ACSAD organized a training course for six Egyptian agricultural engineers during 14-19 April 2007 on the use of the agricultural techniques in fruit trees fields the arid areas.
The program of the training course centered on the use of the most modern agricultural techniques in fruit trees fields in the arid areas in general and in the fields grown with almond, fig, grape, olive and pistachio in particular. These included, among other things, the techniques of tillage, fertilization, pruning, grafting and combating pests.
The program of the training course also included detailed descriptions about the native places, root stocks, cultivars, problems and management operations of these fruit trees.

Libyan Trainees at ACSAD

A training course on ‘combating weeds in wheat fields’ was organized for 11 Libyan agricultural engineers at ACSAD’s headquarters during 25 March - 3 April 2007.
This training course aimed to improve the level of competence and efficiency of the Libyan technical cadres in the field of combating weeds in wheat fields.
The training program of the course included lectures and practical training about weeds classification in wheat and barley fields and the use and effect of herbicides. It also included visits to some research stations and laboratories.

Water Issues at Manama Meetings

At the invitation of the UNESCO Cairo Office Dr. Abdullah Droubi, Director of the Department of Water Resources, and Dr. Mahmoud Al-Sibai, Director of the Program of the Integrated Water Resources Management, participated in the meetings of the Arab Wadi Hydrology Network, the meetings of the Network on Groundwater Protection in the Arab Region and the Expert Group Meeting on Integrated Water Resources Management in the Arab Region which were held at the headquarters of the Arabian Gulf University in Manama, capital of Bahrain during 22-25 March 2007.
The meetings of the two networks aimed to evaluate the activities which were carried out in the previous phase and reformulate the objectives and activities of these networks in a way that satisfies the different requirements.
The Expert Group Meeting on Integrated Water Resources Management in the Arab Region aimed to review the steps taken in the Arab region in the field of the achievement of the integrated management of the water resources and also the obstacles which impeded the realization of the desired objectives.

H.E. Skeikh Abdul Rahman bin Khalifa al-Thni visits ACSAD’s headquarters

H.E. Skeikh Abdul Rahman bin Khalifa al-Thni, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture in the State of Qatar visited ACSAD’s headquarters in Damascus on Thursday 22 March 2007 at the head of a high-ranking delegation. The visiting Qatari delegation was received by H.E. Eng. Hussein Laswad, ACSAD Assistant Director General, and a number of ACSAD high- ranking officials.
The two sides discussed the cooperation between ACSAD and the Ministry in different fields and the methods and means of fostering and increasing this cooperation in the future.

H.E. Prof. Dr. Salama al-Zubae, Deputy Prime Minister in Iraq, visits ACSAD’s headquarters in Damascus.

H.E. Prof. Dr. Salama al-Zubae, Deputy Prime Minister in Iraq, paid a visit to the headquarters of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) in Damascus on 15 March 2007. Prof. Dr. al-Zubae was received by Eng. Hussein Laswad, ACSAD Assistant Director General, and Dr. Nasser Eldin Obeid, Director of ACSAD Department of Administrative and Financial Affairs, who gave him a general idea about ACSAD’s organizational structure, infrastructure, work strategy and programs.

A new Director for ACSAD Department of Soils and Water Uses

Prof. Dr. Khaled Ben-Mahmoud started his work at ACSAD on 1 March 2007 as director of ACSAD Department of Soils and Water Uses. Prof. Dr. Ben-Mahmoud, who is of Libyan nationality, received his master’s degree and doctorate in Soil Science from the University of the State of Colorado in the United States of America in 1973 and 1977 respectively. Before joining ACSAD, Prof. Dr. Ben-Mahmoud worked as the National Coordinator of the Project for Natural Resources Mapping and the General Coordinator of the National Program for the Development of the Vegetative Cover in Libya.

Molecular Characterization of the Sugar Beet Mosaic Virus

Dr. Hana Hasan, biotechnology expert at ACSAD Department of Plant Resources, delivered a lecture entitled “Molecular Characterization of the Sugar Beet Mosaic Virus” at ACSAD’s headquarters in Damascus on 27 February 2007.
Dr. Hasan spoke in her lecture about molecular biology and viral diseases. She discussed, among other things, the techniques used in the field of the molecular characterization and the identification of the genes. She also discussed the identification of the complete nucleotide sequence of the viral genome and referred to the results of the phylogenetic analysis based on amino acids sequences.

Dr. Droubi Participates in an International Workshop in Libya

Dr. Abdullah Droubi, Director of ACSAD Department of Water Resources, participated in the International Workshop on Linking the Depressions of the Gulf of Sert with the Mediterranean which was held in Tripoli, Libya during 11-14 February 2007.
Experts representing 13 Arab and foreign countries and 6 Arab and international organizations participated in the Workshop together with a number of university teachers, experts from private companies and representatives of some concerned Libyan institutes.
Dr. Droubi met on the sidelines of the Workshop with some Libyan officials and discussed with them the existing cooperation between ACSAD and Libya in the field of water.

Developing the Arab Database for Arid Plants (ADAP)

Dr. Imad Al-Kadi, cooperating expert in the field of plant classification at ACSAD Department of Plant Resources, delivered a lecture entitled “Developing the Arab Database for Arid Plants (ADAP)” on 5 February 2007 at ACSAD’s headquarters in Damascus, Syria.
Dr. Al-Kadi mentioned in his lecture that ‘the Arab Database for Arid Plants (ADAP) includes now about 1310 plant species available at more than 16,000 locations in different parts of the Arab world’

Workshop in Morocco on Decision Support Systems

The Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) has organized, in cooperation with the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) and the Ministry of Land Management, Water and Environment in Morocco, a Workshop on Decision Support Systems for Water and Soil Management.
This workshop, which was held in the Moroccan capital Rabat during 16-18 January 2007, aimed to review the Arab and international experiences in the field of the preparation and use of the decision support systems to achieve the optimum management of the water and soil resources via an integrated and comprehensive look at these resources and their uses at the level of the water basin so as to help to achieve the sustainable development and protect the water environment.
More than 60 specialists representing 12 Arab countries and a number of Arab, regional and international organizations participated in the workshop.

The First Meeting of the Arab Working Team to Prepare for
the 16th Session of the U.N. Commission on Sustainable Development

Dr. Algilani Abdulgawad, Director of ACSAD Department of Soil and Water Uses, represented ACSAD at the First Meeting of the Arab Working Team to Prepare for the 16th Session of the U.N. Commission on Sustainable Development which was held at the headquarters of the Secretariat General of the League of Arab States in Cairo, Egypt on 24 January 2007.
The aim of the meeting was to discuss the preparation of thematic reports on agriculture, rural development, desertification, lands and drought to be submitted to the 16th Session of the U.N. Commission on Sustainable Development.

Training Course on Recent Advances and Technology Transfer in the Field of Small Ruminant Production in the Middle East Region

The opening ceremony of the Training Course on Recent Advances and Technology Transfer in the Field of Small Ruminant Production in the Middle East Region was held on 28 January 2007 under the auspices of H.E. Prof. Dr. Adel Safar, Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform in the Syrian Arab Republic.
This training course, which is organized by ACSAD in cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations for 20 trainees from cadres working in the field of agricultural extension (livestock wealth) in Iraq will last from 28 January to 11 February 2007.
Dr. Salwa Mubrak Ambar, Director of the FAO Office in Damascus delivered a speech in which she stressed the importance of training in helping the cadres to keep pace with the scientific and technical developments and making them more efficient in their work.
After that, Prof. Dr. Farouk Saleh Fares, Director-General of ACSAD, made a speech in which he spoke about ACSAD strategy for developing the animal wealth in the Arab countries through improving animal breeding, feeding and reproduction; transfer of the modern technology; survey and evaluation of animal wealth resources; study of feed budget and development of the Arab technical cadres via training.
Finally, H.E. Prof. Dr. Adel Safar, Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform in the Syrian Arab Republic, made a speech in which he stressed the importance of the animal wealth sector and feed resources in achieving food security. He also spoke about the problems facing the animal wealth sector in the Arab countries such as the spread of some epidemics and diseases and the decline of production. Prof. Dr. Safar also spoke about the successful Syrian experience in the field of improving and developing the animal wealth sector.
The program of the training course includes, among other things, the following subjects:
• Small ruminant production systems in the arid areas of the Middle East region and the methods of their development.
• Management of feed resources and the techniques suitable for feed processing.
• Breeding and genetic improvement programs for local breeds of small ruminants.
• Management of reproduction and the use of new techniques to improve reproduction efficiency in small ruminants.
• Management and rehabilitation of the rangelands.
• Health care strategies for small ruminants.
• Production of meat and milk in small ruminants.
• Marketing of live animals and animal products.
The program of the training course also includes practical training and field visits to a number of specialized research stations.

Lecture on Opuntia spp.

Dr. Ghofran Kattach. Head of Rangelands and Forest Resources Program at ACSAD Department of Plant Resources, delivered a lecture on 23 January 2007 at ACSAD’s headquarters in Damascus on “Opuntia spp. as a Forage Source in the Arid Areas”.
Dr. Kattach spoke in her lecture about the importance of Opuntia spp. for the arid areas and explained that “ Opuntia spp., which is native to the semiarid regions in the Unites States of America, is a cheap plant that can grow easily. It is characterized by being palatable and drought tolerant. It is grown in many parts of the world to be used as an alternative forage crop during frequent drought cycles. It is processed into food products such as jam and fruit juice. It is also used in pharmaceutical industries and cosmetic products. In North Africa Opuntia spp. is used for combating desertification and reducing sand movement”.

Undersecretary of the Ministry of Water Resources in Iraq Visits ACSAD

Prof. Dr. Farouk Saleh Fares, Director-General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) received at his office on 17 January 2007 H.E. Dr. Salar Bakr Sami, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Water Resources in Iraq. The meeting was attended by a number of ACSAD officials and experts and the two sides discussed matters of mutual concern.

ACSAD and BGR Organize a Regional Workshop in Morocco on
Decision Support Systems for Water and Soil Management

Within the framework of the Project for the Management, Protection and Sustainable Use of Groundwater and Soil Resources in the Arab World ACSAD organizes a Regional Workshop in Rabat, Morocco during 16-18 January 2007 on Decision Support Systems for Water and Soil Management in cooperation with the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) and the Ministry of Land Management, Water and Environment in Morocco.
The workshop will look at the Arab and international experiments in the field of the preparation and use of the decision support systems to achieve the optimum management of water and soil resources through an integrated and comprehensive look at these resources and their uses at the water basin level so as to achieve the sustainable development and help protect the water environment.
The workshop will be attended by representatives from the ministries of agriculture and irrigation in the Arab countries.

Energy Management and the Available Renewable Energies in Syria

Two Training Courses to be Held at ACSAD

ACSAD will hold a training course on rainwater harvesting techniques during 14-28 February 2006 for 15 specialists from the Ministry of Water Resources in Iraq.
This course, which is financed by UNESCO, will be held at ACSAD’s headquarters in Damascus, Syria and it will deal with the following subjects:
-The new scientific methods of managing the water resources.
- Rainwater harvesting techniques.
- The use of mathematical models in designing rainwater harvesting (WMS and HYDROMED systems).
- Introduction to the uses of the Geographic Information System (GIS) in rainwater harvesting.
ACSAD will organize a second training course on the management of irrigation and fertigation during the period 6 March- 2April 2006 for 20 trainees from English-speaking African countries. This course will be held at ACSAD’s headquarters in Damascus and at ACSAD’s research station in Deir Ezzor with funding provided by the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA).

Memorandum of Understanding between ACSAD and the Arab Atomic Energy Agency (AAEA)

Prof. Dr. Farouk Saleh Fares, Director-General of ACSAD, received at his office on 2 January 2006 Dr. Mahmmoud Nasr al-Deen, Director-General of the Arab Atomic Energy Agency with the presence of Dr. Ibrahim Osman, Director-General of the Atomic Energy Agency in Syria and Dr. Majed Jamal, Director-General of the General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research in Syria. During the meeting Prof. Dr. Fares stressed the vital importance of the technical cooperation among the Arab organizations and its role in activating the researches, studies and projects which contribute to the achievement of the sustainable Arab agricultural development. At the end of the meeting Prof. Dr. Fares and Dr. Naser al-Deen signed a Memorandum of Understanding between ACSAD and AAEA through which many projects of interest to the Arab countries will be carried out in the future.

The 5th Steering Committee Meeting of the Applied Research Programme for Utilization of Brackish and Saline Water in Agriculture in North Africa

Prof. Dr. Farouk Saleh Fares, Director General of ACSAD, opened on 28 November 2005 at ACSAD’s headquarters the 5th Steering Committee Meeting of the Applied Research Programme for Utilization of Brackish and Saline Water in Agriculture in North Africa which lasts until 29 November 2005. The Meeting aims to discuss the final technical and financial report on the implementation of the Programme in Algeria, Tunisia and Libya. It aims also to discuss the extension of the Programme and the entry of new countries into it, namely Morocco and Yemen.
The Meeting is held with the participation of the representatives of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Technical Institute for Desert Agriculture Development in Algeria (ITDAS(, the National Research Institute for Rural Engineering, Water and Forestry in Tunisia (INRGREF) and the Agricultural Research Center in Libya (ARC) in addition to ACSAD experts.
Prof. Dr. Fares delivered a speech in which he stressed the importance of the sound management of the water and land resources, especially the use of the low quality water (brackish water).

The 11th Regional Meeting of the International Hydrological Programme (IHP) National Committees (Bloudan Hotel, Damascus 25-28 September 2005)

This meeting was organized by ACSAD, the Syrian Ministry of Irrigation, ALECSO, UNESCO/Cairo Office (UCO), the National Commission (NATCOM) of Syria for UNESCO and UNEP/ROWA.
The opening ceremony of the Meeting was held under the patronage of H.E. Eng. Nader al-Bunni, the Syrian Minister of Irrigation. The meeting was attended by 72 specialists representing the following Arab countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
The participants discussed at the working sessions the current status of the water resources in the Arab region as well as the activities of the International Hydrological Programme since its 10th meeting until now together with the future activities pertaining to it and its 7th strategic plan.
Scientific papers were presented at the meeting explaining the activities of ACSAD, ALECSO and UNEP/ROWA in the Arab region. Country reports were presented also by the representatives of the Arab countries. The participants discussed the program for water evaluation, the 4th World Water Forum due to be held in Mexico in March 2006 and the identification of the future activities in the Arab region and adoption of water initiatives in this region.
The last day of the meeting was devoted to the Arab Digital Water Map Project and its future activities. ACSAD experts presented the results of their work on this project and put forward the project’s plan of action for the next two years (2006 and 2007).
At the end of the meeting the participants made recommendations pertaining to the above meeting and the Arab Digital Water Map Project.

A delegation from the Public Authority for Agriculture and Fisheries in Kuwait visits ACSAD

Prof. Dr. Farouk Saleh Fares, Director General of ACSAD, received at his office on 4 September 2005 a delegation from the Public Authority for Agriculture and Fisheries in Kuwait headed by Dr. Jara Saad al-Rajihi, Head of the Committee on Plant Wealth Affairs .
Prof. Dr. Fares welcomed the visiting delegation and the two sides discussed the cooperation between ACSAD and the State of Kuwait in different fields and stressed the need for a new start in the cooperation process between them.
The Kuwaiti delegation then met with the directors of ACSAD departments and sections who briefed the members of the delegation on ACSAD’s research activities and projects. The members of the delegation raised at the meeting some questions which received answers from ACSAD staff and then a comprehensive discussion followed about the most important possible fields of cooperation between the two sides.
In the evening the Kuwaiti delegation was received by Dr. Adel Safar, Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform in Syria in the presence of Prof. Dr. Farouk Saleh Fares, Director General of ACSAD. In the second day the delegation visited ACSAD research stations of Ezra and Jilleen in the south of Syria.

Training Workshop on Land Degradation Monitoring System at the Regional and National Levels

This workshop was organized by ACSAD in cooperation with the General Organization of Remote Sensing in Syria and the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) and held at the headquarters of the General Organization of Remote Sensing in Damascus, Syria during 30 July - 4 August 2005 .
The opening ceremony of the workshop was held under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Mohammad Basheer al-Munajjed, the Syrian Minister of Communications and Technology.
Dr. Wadid Erian, Head of the Section of Information Technology and Remote Sensing at ACSAD, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony on behalf of Prof. Dr. Farouk Saleh Fares, Director General of ACSAD, in which he stressed the importance of the cooperation between the Arab remote sensing centers in the fields of monitoring desertification and the transfer of the results and experiences from the regional level to the national level.
H.E. the Syrian Minister of Communications and Technology delivered also a speech in which he commended ACSAD’s role in confronting the problem of land degradation in accordance with scientific methodologies.

The Higher Coordination Committee on the Arab Joint Action holds its 36th meeting in Damascus, Syria

At the invitation of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), the Higher Coordination Committee on the Arab Joint Action will hold its 36th meeting in Damascus, Syria during 15-18 July 2005 under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Adel Safer, Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform in Syria and President of the ACSAD General Assembly and with the presence of H.E. Mr. Amre Moussa, Secretary General of the League of Arab States and all the directors and presidents of the Arab joint action organizations .

Workshop on the Protection of Groundwater and Soil from Pollution

The above workshop will be held in Amman, Jordan during the period 27-30 June 2005 . This workshop is organized through the cooperation between ACSAD, BGR, SESRTCIC and the Ministry of Water and Irrigation in Jordan. Representatives of some Arab countries will participate in the workshop as well as representatives of the UNESCO/Cairo Office and the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development.

The First Coordination Meeting for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Agrobiodiversity in the Dry Lands

The above meeting was held at ACSAD headquarters in Damascus, Syria during the period 19 – 20 June 2005. Representatives of the Arab League, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine participated in the meeting in addition to ACSAD experts.
Prof. Dr. Farouk Saleh Fares, Director General of ACSAD, delivered a speech in the opening session in which he spoke about the problems facing the agrobiodiversity in the Arab region and the importance of the new techniques such as the remote sensing and the Geographic Information System (GIS) which help in the sustainable use of the natural resources in the Arab arid and semi-arid environments.
Dr. Jamal Jaballah, representative of the Secretariat General of the Arab League, delivered also a speech in which he stressed the importance of the pivotal role played by ACSAD vis-a vis the following up and coordination of the implementation of the three international environmental conventions.

ACSAD Director General receives the President of the Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development

Prof. Dr. Farouk Saleh Fares, Director General of ACSAD, received at his office on 15 May 2005 H.E. Dr. Abdulkareem al- Aamri, President of the Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development, who was accompanied by Dr. Yahya Bakkour, Secretary General of the Arab Agromists・Union .
The two sides discussed the cooperation between ACSAD and the Authority and the means of developing it in the fields of mutual concern.

Discussing the fields of cooperation between ACSAD and the World Conservation Union (IUCN)

Prof. Dr. Farouk Saleh Fares, ACSAD Director General received at his office on 5 May 2005 Dr. Aodeh al-Jeyosi, Regional Director of the World Conservation Union and Dr. Akram Aesa Darweesh , Director of the Directorate of Biodiversity and Protected Areas of the Ministry of Local Administration and Environment in Syria.
Prof. Dr. Fares discussed with the two guests the cooperation in different fields including the protection of biodiversity, integrated management of the water resources, rehabilitation of the degraded lands and combating desertification .

ACSAD Director General receives H.E. the Jordanian Minister of Agriculture

Prof. Dr. Farouk Saleh Fares, ACSAD Director General, received at his office on 3 May 2005 H.E. Dr. Youssef al-Shreiqi, Minister of Agriculture in Jordan, accompanied by Dr. Abdulnabi Fardous, Director General of the National Center for Agricultural Research and Technology Transfer. The two sides discussed the cooperation between ACSAD and the Ministry of Agriculture in Jordan .

ACSAD organizes a training course on fruit trees cultivation

A training course on fruit trees cultivation was organized by ACSAD at ACSAD Ezraa research station in the south of Syria during the period 1-6 May 2005 in cooperation with the General Union of Arab Peasants and Agricultural Cooperatives and with the participation of 34 trainees from 6 Arab countries .
Eng. Husein Laswad, ACSAD Assistant Director General, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the course in which he stressed the importance of training as an effective means of transferring the new techniques to the Arab and African countries .
Mr. Atalla Kleib, Assistant Secretary General of the General Union of Arab Peasants and Agricultural Cooperatives, delivered also a speech in which he stressed the importance of training in improving and enhancing the level of the Arab technical cadres working in the agricultural sector .

Strengthening the cooperation between ACSAD and Jordan in the field of cereals

Three experts from the Program for Rainfed Agriculture at the National Center for Agricultural Research and Technology Transfer in Jordan visited ACSAD during 25-26 July 2007. The Jordanian experts discussed with ACSAD officials and experts a draft project entitled “the Role of ACSAD Varieties and Lines of Wheat and Barley in Increasing Production Under Drought Conditions and with the Farmers’ Participation”.
The project aims to accelerate the adoption of the new varieties and ensure the farmers’ participation in the assessment processes via the establishment of expanded fields on farmers’ lands that include the local varieties and also the new promising varieties for comparison purposes.

Syrian Minister of Agriculture stresses the importance of achieving Arab food and water security

Dr. Adel Safar, Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform in the Syrian Arab Republic and President of the General Assembly of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) met with the Arab delegations participating in the First Conference on Scientific Agricultural Research which was held in Damascus during 23 - 25 February 2009. Dr. Safar discussed with the Arab delegations the means of strengthening the Arab joint action to help achieve the Arab food and water security.