EDITORIAL

Some of the limiting factors for agricultural production in the Near East and North Africa are the harsh climatic conditions, salinity of soil and water. These limitations have become more important for the desert and semi-desert areas due to desertification, low rainfall and salinity of water, and speeded up their spreading. It is, therefore, a bigger challenge to develop the agricultural sector so as to reduce our increased dependence on food imports. In spite of all these limitations we cannot ignore the importance of agriculture from economic, health and food security point of view for the people of this region. Therefore, we are obliged to identify our priorities either on the national or regional levels and to focus our efforts for developing suitable agricultural research policies, sustainable agricultural growth and development, and the management of our natural resources. Then, close cooperation and good communication between our insisting participating countries is essential, if we intend to tackle these serious agricultural development problems.

·        During the brainstorming meeting for the Al-Mashreq (West Asia Sub-Region), held at ICARDA 0n

      18-19 November 2001, the need to renew our research priorities was presented and stressed by the

     Executive Secretary of AARINENA.

·        During the Executive Committee meeting held in Tehran, the proposal submitted by Iran to take the duties of RAIS Secretariat has been agreed on. It has been decided to separate the Date Palm Network from the Olive Network and AARINENA would assign and support a consultant for each network, the decision will be taken during the next General Conference.

·        The regional workshop on the Global Initiative toward strengthening the Post Harvest Sector (GIPHT) for the CWANA Region was successfully held in Cairo on 4-6 February 2002. Based on the constrains and

          opportunities highlighted in the sub-regional reports, a number of priorities for future action were identified.

The 8^th General Conference of AARINENA will be held on 26-28 May 2002 in Amman, Jordan.

A new president of AARINENA will be elected from any member country in conformity with the constitution.

 Important decisions are going to be taken concerning finalization of AARINENA Secretariat.