The CFS-NENA was formed at the Seed Policy and Programmes Meeting for Near East and North African Region held in Cyprus in April 2000.

P.M. = Planting material

The purpose of the CFS-NENA is to:

• Facilitate communication among the different working groups and regional seed and crop genetic resources networks.
• Facilitate adaptation of the working arrangements of the Forum to meet member requirements and to ensure efficiency of operations.
• Co-operate in identifying and obtaining funding assistance from donors and financing agencies for strengthening the Forum activities.
• Actively participate in issues and undertakings in the other regional initiatives and fora of the FAO and other relevant regional institutions concerned with seed policies and programmes.
• Oversee the co-ordination of the working groups and the management structure of the Consultative Forum after its official status has been recognised.
• Assist in the formulation of national seed policies and projects.
• Provide consulting support to member countries.

Some information on the roles of the Scientific and Technical Working Groups of the Seed Network is as follows:

1. Working Group on Seed and Planting Material and Crop Genetic Resources Information Management
Objectives: To promote and facilitate the collection and exchange on seed production and crop genetic resources information in NENA.

2. Working Group on Seed Rules and Regulations
Objectives: Assist countries of the region to update their seed legislation and regulations to take account of changes in the seed industry both nationally and internationally. Through this process, also promote the harmonisation of seed laws, regulations and standards to facilitate trade within the region.

3. Working Group on Technology Transfer and Training
Objectives: To promote national programmes of research, education, and training on seed production and technology at academic, technical and practical training institutions, and to strengthen farmers´ capacity to produce high quality seed.

4. Working Group on Forage and Pasture Seed
Objectives: To promote forage and pasture seed production in the region.

5. Working Group on Seed Security
Objectives: To assist countries in their efforts to overcome seed shortage in normal or emergency situations.

6. Working Group on Horticultural Seed and Planting Material (Vegetable, Fruit, ornamental, and Medicinal Crops)
Objectives: To promote sustainable development of vegetable seed production at national and regional level.

The inaugural meeting of the board of the seed network was held in Egypt in June 2000, during which five projects profiles, related to different thematic areas of seed sector development, were elaborated. These cover the issues of:

• Strengthening the seed sector in Near East and North Africa through specialised technical working groups.
• Seed and planting material and crop genetic resources information management in the NENA region.
• Harmonisation of Seed Rules and Regulations (variety, seed, trade, Phytosanitary and PVP) in NENA.
• Strengthen technology transfer and enhance seed related training programmes.
• Strengthening and support to forage and Pasture Seed production and utilisation in NENA region.
• National and Regional Seed Production and Supply for Emergency Situations.
• Strengthening of horticulture seed and planting material issues in NENA region.

These drafted project proposals are eligible for technical and financial supports by interested technical agencies or donors.

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