ICARDA News

International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas

P.O. Box 5466, Aleppo, Syria
Phone: (963-21) 2213433, 2213477, 2225112, 2225012
Fax: (963-21) 2213490, 2225105;
E-mail: ICARDA@CGIAR.ORG
Website: www.icarda.org
25 January 2007
                             Media contact: Surendra Varma (s.varma@CGIAR.ORG)
 
Tunisian Minister Honors Dr Mohamed El Mourid
at International Symposium
Dr Mohamed El Mourid (right), NARP Coordinator, was honored by H.E. Taïeb El Hedri, Minister of Scientific Research, Technology and Capacity Building, Tunisia, for his contributions to research and network development. Five Tunisian scientists were similarly honored.
An International Symposium on Perfume, Aromatic, and Medicinal Plants was held in Jerba, Tunisia, 2-4 November 2006, to coincide with the 30th anniversary of IRA Medenine. It was jointly organized by IRA Medenine, ICARDA, Ecole National des Ingenieurs de Gabes (ENIG), and the Agriculture Research Service of the US Department of Agriculture (ARS-USDA); and held under the auspices of the Tunisian Ministry of Scientific Research, Technology and Capacity Building. The symposium brought together over 300 participants from Algeria, Belgium, France, Iran, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Mexico, Morocco, Tunisia, UAE, and USA. They included researchers, academics, pharmacists, medical doctors, industrialists, policy makers, development agents, and NGO representatives.

In the opening address, His Excellency Prof. Taïeb El Hedri, Minister of Scientific Research, Technology and Capacity Building, stressed the importance of scientific research in Tunisia, and the Ministry’s recognition of the importance of perfume, aromatic and medicinal plants (MAPs). The Minister presented a souvenir to Dr Mohamed El Mourid, ICARDA-NARP Coordinator, and to five Tunisian scientists in recognition of their contributions to the advancement of science and to building strong R&D linkages in arid lands of the region.

MAPs that have been used for various purposes throughout history are attracting renewed interest in Tunisia and elsewhere. These plants are a major source of natural substances used in pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and agro-food industries.
H.E. Prof. Taïeb El Hedri, Minister of Scientific Research, Technology and Capacity Building (5th from right), Tunisia, inaugurated the International Symposium on Perfume, Aromatic, and Medicinal Plants, held on 2-4 November 2006.

The objectives of the symposium were to promote the conservation and valorization of MAPs; consolidate their role in sustainable economic development; bring together researchers and other partners; and encourage sharing of experience and knowledge for better utilization of research results.

Other speakers at the opening session included Prof. Houcine Khatteli, IRA Director General, Dr Mohamed El Mourid, ICARDA-NARP Coordinator, Dr Brahim Shaqir, USDA-ARS representative, and Dr Mohamed Neffati, Head of IRA’s Range Ecology Laboratory, and Coordinator of the Organizing Committee.

The 3-day symposium included five plenary presentations, 70 oral presentations and 100 poster presentations, covering five broad areas: chemistry and extraction procedures of essential oils and natural substances; biological and therapeutic activities; chemical and genetic diversity; production techniques; and socio-economic aspects. The participants developed a series of recommendations on key issues in MAP research and promotion:
•
 Participation: attract more international experts and private investors, and encourage more young researchers to participate.
•
 Science issues: encourage young researchers to train in botany, promote ethnobotany research, promote multidisciplinarity, standardize characterization charts/forms, establish relevant databases, and promote the diversity of bio-tests.
•
 Research environment: establish research projects financed by the Ministry of Scientific Research, Technology and Capacity Building; develop national, regional, and international networks.
 

About ICARDA: Established in 1977, ICARDA (www.icarda.org) serves the entire developing world for the improvement of barley, lentil, and faba bean; and dry-area developing countries for the on-farm management of water, improvement of nutrition and productivity of small ruminants (sheep and goats), and rehabilitation and management of rangelands. In the Central and West Asia and North Africa (CWANA) region, ICARDA is responsible for the improvement of durum and bread wheats, chickpea, pasture and forage legumes and farming systems; and for the protection and enhancement of the natural resource base of water, land, and biodiversity.

The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) (www.cgiar.org) is a strategic alliance of countries, international and regional organizations, and private foundations supporting15 international research centers that mobilizes cutting-edge science to promote sustainable development by reducing hunger and poverty, improving human nutrition and health, and protecting the environment.

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