Countries involved

The Near East Network on Forest Health and Invasive Species (NENFHIS) provides an informal mechanism to exchange information, knowledge and experiences and to enhance cooperation for the benefits of the forest sector in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) Region.

Founding countries were: Algeria, Cyprus, Egypt, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia, and Yemen.

The main reason that lead these countries to work together is that they belong to the same region, therefore they share common issues and face the same problems: they have similar climatic, environmental and social conditions; they aim to reach for a shared goal of conserving and preserving the forest against pests, disease and invasive plant species; they can easily exchange experience and knowledge between countries on FHIS, and opportunities of financing / potential support for regional projects.

Executive committee

The EC elaborates a 2-year work plan and identify common interests and priorities; raise awareness on the state of forest; represents the network in other fora; promotes projects between countries sharing common challenges; meets at least once a year; make use of FAO communication channels (website).

Members of the EC are: