1. FAO Near East North Africa Region Capacity Development Activities Dr. Nagat M. El Tayeb

2. International Workshop on Xylella fastidiosa & the Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS) Meeting organized by FAO IPPC secretariat and CIHEAM the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies) with support of the Near East Plant Protection Organization (NEPPO) and the European Plant Protection Organization (EPPO). Meeting organized by FAO IPPC secretariat and Venue: Bari, Italy Venue: Date : 19-22 April 2016, Over 140 participants attended the Workshop, who is from 36 countries as well as eight international and regional organization Algeria, Libya, Palestine, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, and Tunisia. Objectives: a) raise awareness on X. fastidiosa, its current and potential impact and management b) share information and experience in legislation, communication, advocacy, education and technical actions for eradicating, containing and managing the pest; c) discuss the strategies, tactics, and action for increasing the capacities in surveillance, diagnostic and management of the pest; and d) to promote a close cooperation at national, regional and global levels for fighting with this devastating phytosanitary pest.

3. WTO Workshop on the application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures for the Arab Region Date: 25-29 January 2016 VENUE: Kuwait, Kuwait Organizers: WTO, SPS Countries: Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Sudan, Tunisia and UAE Objectives- Participants (IPPC group) were introduced in detail to IPPC work and they eddiscuss a number of practical issues i.e. the use of the IPPC glossary (ISPM 5), import, surveillance, the standards development process, They were encouraged to participate in the standard setting process, and the ePhyto project funded by the STDF. Participants were also urged to raise awareness on the importance of plant health, as well as to actively participate in activities related to the proposed International Year of Plant Health.

4. Training on Cold Treatment inspection for Moroccan Citrus Inspectors Venue: Agadir, Morocco Date: August 31–September 5, 2015 Organizers: APHIS Participants:15 Moroccan experts Objectives: to expand opportunities for trade between the two countries, strengthen capacity to safeguard agriculture, and facilitate trade through a better understanding of plant health (phytosanitary) issues

5. Visits and fellowships April, 2016, Egypt’s head of plant quarantine and director of the Potato Brown Rot Project visited Mississippi State University as part of the Cochran Fellowship Program (3 weeks). While on campus, he attended lectures related to his areas of responsibility and toured research facilities. They also visited MSU, USDA and other facilities in Jackson and in the Delta. The Head of Plant Protection Department of Khenifra and Midelt with the National Office of Food Sanitary Safety (ONSSA) in Morocco, is a visiting scholar at Washington State University under the Borlaug Fellowship Program. She is spending three months at WSU under the mentorship of Professor Hanu R. Pappu, Plant Pathology Department. During this time, she will participate in a number of laboratory training on fire blight disease diagnostics using serological and molecular techniques which she will be able to implement after her return to Morocco.