Formalizing the CGIAR and ICARDA’s partnership with Abu Dhabi
At a ceremony in Abu Dhabi late last year, ICARDA’s Director General, Dr. Mahmoud Solh, signed an agreement with H. E. Mr. Rashid Khalfan Al Shariqi, the Director General of Abu Dhabi’s Food Control Authority (ADFCA), which formalized the Emirate’s membership of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). This was done in the presence of Dr. Tony Kalm, Deputy Head of the CGIAR’s Fund Office.
The move sets the stage for an advanced program of agricultural research activities designed to raise the productivity and sustainability of Abu Dhabi’s farmers who are forced to contend with extremely harsh and arid conditions.
In collaboration with Abu Dhabi’s Food Control Authority (ADFCA), ICARDA and the CGIAR will be rolling-out strategies to enhance extension and technology transfer systems – getting new technologies into the hands of farmers, fast; introducing integrated pest management; providing capacity strengthening programs that target ADFCA researchers and technicians; and promoting protected agriculture – optimizing growing conditions in greenhouses.
Also present at the ceremony were ADFCA staff and ICARDA’s Regional Coordinator for the Arabian Peninsula, Dr Azaiez Belgacem. ADFCA had selected ICARDA as the Emirate’s main collaborative CGIAR center, reflecting a close pre-existing relationship. Planned activities were subsequently formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding.

H. E. Mr. Rachid Khalfan Al-Shariqi (seated, left), of ADFCA, signing an MoU with ICARDA’s Director General, Dr. Mahmoud Solh (seated, right), in the presence of Dr. Tony Kalm, Deputy Head of the CGIAR’s Fund Office (Center).