Cairo, Egypt — August 25–27, 2025
AARINENA actively participated in the Second Meeting of the Arab Forum for Rural Advisory Services (AFRAS), held in a hybrid format in Cairo and online.
Under the theme “Leveraging Rural Advisory Services for Inclusive Rural Transformation in the Arab Region,” the meeting gathered policymakers, researchers, extension service providers, farmer organizations, civil society, private sector stakeholders, and development partners from across the Arab region.
AARINENA’s Role & Contributions
- AARINENA was represented in the meeting, participating in sessions that addressed governance, investment, innovation, and the practical strengthening of rural advisory systems.
- On Day Two, AARINENA contributed to thematic dialogues, sharing experiences from the Near East / North Africa, aligning with AFRAS’s mission of promoting knowledge exchange and synergy across countries.
- Through its presence, AARINENA helped advocate for stronger institutional frameworks, better resourcing, and cross-border collaboration within rural advisory systems in the region.
Key Outcomes of the Meeting & Relevance for AARINENA
- The meeting validated the AFRAS Charter and endorsed a shared governance structure for the Forum.
- Participants exchanged national experiences, innovations, and good practices in rural advisory services.
- The meeting concluded with a joint communiqué and renewed commitments from governments and stakeholders to accelerate advisory services strengthening across the region.
For AARINENA, this participation reinforces its strategic role as a regional actor bridging research, extension, and policymaking. It helps the association stay closely aligned with regional priorities in advisory services, strengthens its networks, and positions it to contribute more effectively to capacity-building, policy advocacy, and cross-country learning in the Arab world.