Agricultural Biotechnology Network in Africa – ABNETA Regional Agricultural Biotechnology Network Expert Consultation Meeting December 2007 Cairo-Egypt By Amr Farouk Abdelkhalik, PhD Regional Coordinator of The Agricultural Biotechnology Network In Africa Rice Research Center, Egypt State Ministry of Higher Education And Scientific Research Center of Strategic Planning And Technical Support

Overview Introduce ABNETA Structure of the network Website tour Progress Moving forwards

Introduction Problems for Biotechnolgy in Africa Limited access to information Little sharing of information Poor knowledge of activities Poor communication between stakeholder groups Poor public understanding Uncertain policy environment FAO requested to facilitate  ABNETA

Introduction2 ABNETA’s aims Provide neutral platform information sharing Linkages to useful websites Database of research personnel and breeders –Roll out to policy makers, journalists, NGO’s, extension workers, entrepreneurs, Farmer based organisations. Database include laboratory capacities, facilities, protocols, journalists articles. Promote communication and collaboration

Collaboration FAO – implementer ABSF (The African Biotechnology Stakeholders Forum ) – Network owned by members Country Coordinators as nodes in network –Invite Researchers to join the network –Contribute to portal Structure of Network

Dec 15, Researchers 2 Journalists

Moving Forwards Increase membership Talks Partner organisations News letters Country Consultancies Support members Meetings, Exchanges, Ownership Generate information Collaborative proposals Further improve website User friendly –Search, Browse, Documents Member Login Ask ABNETA, How To’s Social Networking Photographs Link in with other networks Donors Measurable outputs Continued dialogue

1.NEPAD/North Africa Biosciences Network. Dr Mohamed Elarbi Aouani. Director, NRC, Cairo, Egypt 2. Science Development Network Dr Wagdy Sawahel, General Coordinator, NRC, Cairo, Egypt Inter-Islamic Network on Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (INOGE) Dr Hassan Moawad, General Coordinator, NRC, Cairo, Egypt

The First All Africa Congress on Biotechnology 2008 The African Biotechnology Stakeholders Forum (ABSF) through its sister network, the Agricultural Biotechnology Network in Africa (ABNETA) are pleased to announce the First ever All Africa Congress on Biotechnology that will be held in the Kenyan Capital Nairobi, between 22nd – 26th September 2008 The theme of the Congress will be ‘Harnessing the Potential of Agricultural Biotechnology for Food Security and Socio- Economic Development in Africa.

Thanks to Kakoli Ghosh Elcio Guimaraes Eric Kueneman David Priest Ben Indangasy Felix M’mboyi Prof Norah Olembo The rest of the team Donors FAO USDA Wain Fund All Country Coordinators