@FAO-OM group picture of the closing ceremony

Muscat, February 28, 2017

The Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in the Central Region (CRC) concluded in Oman a series of meetings that started on February 10 with a ceremony marking the 50^th Anniversary of the organization’s establishment, where state members renewed their commitment to act to control desert locust.

Between February 20 and 24, Oman hosted the 30^th Session of the CRC and the 34^th Meeting of its Executive Committee. Taking part were 15 out of the CRC 16 member states, representatives of desert locust control commissions in the western region and Southwest Asia, the Desert Locust Information Service (DLIS) in Rome, and the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

On the first day, Oman was elected to chair this session for 2017 and 2018. Saudi Arabia was elected as vice-chair.

The participants examined a detailed report on the activities of the Secretariat-General of the CRC in the past two years, as well as recommendations issued at the 29^th session. The report was prepared by CRC Executive Secretary, Mamoon Al Alawi.

The meetings discussed desert locust control efforts in the past two years and treatment of 244,000 hectares of infested areas in Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Eretria. Control action was limited in Yemen due to security challenges.

The participants reviewed technical activities, training programs, publications, and emergency/contingency plans in locust breeding regions. They emphasized the need for taking health and environmental safety precautions, as well as classification of pesticides and registration of safe and environmentally friendly pesticides in regional countries.

Discussions covered a project for the use of drones for locust early warning, preventive control, and survey. The participants underlined the importance of the project, which is linked to electronic platforms, agreeing that it ensures precision and provides accurate information to enhance data analysis and the decision-making process.

Concluding the meetings, which were attended by engineer Saleh Al Ebri, head of the agricultural development department at Oman’s Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, FAO Representative in the country, Nora Ourabah Haddad, thanked the Omani authorities for hosting celebrations of CRC’s 50^th Anniversary as well as the meetings.

Ms. Ourabah Haddad highlighted the need for well-trained and skilled staff to combat and control desert locust, making use of technologically-advanced early warning and satellite remote-sensing systems as well as Google Earth, and other electronic channels developed for CRC.

She said efficient desert locust control requires partnership between the CRC and sister organizations in the region, in cooperation with the DLIS.

“If we are determined to put an end to poverty by 2030, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, we have to be able to fight and control pests, particularly desert locust,” the FAO official added.