August 12, 2025
In a significant step toward strengthening regional cooperation in agricultural research, Dr. Rida Shibli, Executive Secretary of the Association of Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East and North Africa (AARINENA), and Dr. Ravi Khetarpal, Executive Director of the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI), held an online meeting to sign a new partnership agreement.
The agreement sets out a framework for collaboration in knowledge sharing, joint research initiatives, capacity-building programs, and policy advocacy, with a special focus on empowering women and youth in agriculture and agribusiness. It also paves the way for organizing joint conferences, workshops, and training activities, as well as exploring innovative approaches to address shared challenges such as climate change, food security, and sustainable resource management.
Both leaders emphasized that the partnership will enable APAARI and AARINENA to pool expertise, leverage their extensive networks, and create stronger regional and inter-regional linkages to transform agri-food systems in the Asia-Pacific and NENA regions. The initiative is expected to contribute significantly to enhancing resilience, productivity, and sustainability in the agricultural sectors of both regions.