22 July 2026 | Online
The Association of Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East and North Africa (AARINENA), in partnership with the Global Forum on Agricultural Research and Innovation (GFAiR), convened the NENA–Global NARS Consortium (GNC) Online Consultation on 22 July 2026, marking an important step toward strengthening regional engagement in the Global NARS Consortium.
The two-hour consultation brought together nearly 50 participants, including representatives of National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS), AARINENA members, research institutions, universities, regional organizations and partners. Participants discussed the role, organization and proposed way forward for the NENA-GNC Chapter, as well as opportunities to strengthen coordination and collaboration among agricultural research institutions across the region.
Opening the consultation, Ms. Joanna Kane-Potaka, Executive Secretary of GFAiR, highlighted the GNC as a coordinated platform through which NARS can strengthen their collective voice and contribute to shaping global agricultural research agendas. Dr. Rida A. Shibli, Executive Secretary of AARINENA, emphasized the importance of co-creation and regional collaboration in addressing shared challenges such as climate change and food insecurity.
Dr. Didem Kökden, NENA-GNC Chapter Regional Coordinator, presented the proposed framework for the regional chapter and explained its role as a coordination mechanism within AARINENA. The NENA Chapter is intended to build on existing regional structures rather than create a separate one, providing countries with a more structured platform for engagement with the GNC and for strengthening agricultural research cooperation across the NENA region. The session was moderated by Dr. Botir Dosov, GNC Coordinator.
The consultation also addressed the Agricultural Research Quality, Comparability and Impact (AR-QCI) Initiative, exploring opportunities for regional and inter-regional collaboration, priority thematic areas and possible pathways for further development and resource mobilization. Among the agreed next steps was moving forward with the NENA-GNC Chapter by inviting countries to nominate coordinators to work with the GNC.
The Global NARS Consortium brings together National Agricultural Research Systems worldwide to amplify their collective voice, strengthen global representation, foster partnerships and increase their influence on agricultural research policies, programmes and financing. Its development was entrusted to GFAiR by the Regional Fora, including AARINENA, through the Bangkok Declaration signed in March 2023.
Through its partnership with GFAiR and engagement in the GNC, AARINENA continues to support a stronger and more coordinated voice for NARS and NARIs in the NENA region, while promoting regional cooperation, knowledge exchange and more responsive agricultural research and innovation for sustainable and resilient agrifood systems.