The Near East region is a major center of plant diversity. It provides a wide range of plants of great value to mankind. The number of species of higher plants of the region is estimated to be 25000 vascular plant species. Forests of the region are rich in plant genetic resources. They provide food that supplement the agricultural and contributes to household nutrition, fodder, fertilizer, fiber, medicine, essential oils, dyes, gums, resins, and construction materials. Some of these products are internationally used in food, medicines, flavorings, perfumes, and confection besides providing additional employment and income to the local people.
To increase awareness on Non-Wood Forest Products (NWFP) and to strengthen national collaboration on the regional level, FAO’s Wood and Non–Wood Products Utilization Branch (FOPW) has organized various regional and global expert consultations.
In the light of the above-mentioned situation, and because of the uniqueness of forests and rangelands and their products in the region, an expert meeting on NWFP was held in Cairo, 19-21 May 1997. It was focused on medicinal, culinary and aromatic plants in the Near East countries with the following objectives: i) to discuss the present resource situation and utilization status of medicinal, culinary and aromatic plants as well as other NWFP in the Near East region, their potential and the problems and issues to be faced for their sustainable development; ii) to identify and propose priorities of action for conservation and sustainable development of medicinal , culinary and aromatic plants products in the Near East; and iii) to exchange ideas for establishing a regional network on medicinal plants in the region. The meeting attracted 23 participants from 10 different countries and 2 organizations in the Near East region.
This proceeding is published to disseminate the information and recommendations of the meeting and to establish networks among the region’s countries.
It is hoped that the outcome of the proceeding will contribute in raising the awareness on the NWFP products in the region and understanding their importance for the local needs and national economies.
A.Y. Bukhari
Assistant Director General/
Regional Representative
Regional Office for the Near East
| ACSAD | Arab Centre for the Study of Arid Zones and Dry Lands |
| AOAD | Arab Organization for Agricultural Development |
| CIFOR | Centre for International Forestry Research |
| CIHEAM | Centre International des Hautes Études Agronomiques Méditerranéennes |
| COFO | Committee on Forestry (FAO) |
| CSD | United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development |
| CSIR | Council of Scientific and Industrial Research |
| FAO | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations |
| FOPW | Wood and Non-Wood Utilization Branch (Forest Department FAO) |
| GAC | Gum Arabic Company |
| GDP | Gross Domestic Product |
| GNP | Gross National Product |
| HPS | Hand Picked Selected |
| IIED | International Institute for Environment and Development |
| ICMAP | International Council for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants |
| IPF | Inter-Governmental Panel on Forests |
| IPGRI-WANA | International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, Regional Office for West Asia and North Africa |
| IRIS | Interactive Regional Information System |
| IUCN | World Conservation Union |
| IUFRO | International Union of Forestry Research Organisations |
| LEAD | Leiden Ethnosystems and Development Programme |
| MAICh | Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania |
| MAP | Medicinal, Culinary and Aromatic Plants |
| MAPRI | Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research Institute |
| MEDUSA | Regional Network for the Identification, Conservation and Use of Wild Plants in the Mediterranean Region |
| MOALR | Central Administration for Afforestation |
| NEFC | Near East Forestry Commission |
| NGO | Non-Governmental Organization |
| NWFP | Non-Wood Forest Products |
| RNE | Regional Office for the Near East (FAO) |
| SUST | Sudan University for Science and Technology |
| SYP | Syrian Pound |
| DT | Tunisian Dinar |
| UNEP | United Nations Environmental Programme |
| UNCED | United Nations Conference on Environment and Development |
| UNDP | United Nations Development Programme |
| WHO | World Health Organization |
| WWF | World Wide Fund for Nature |
