A CIHEAM delegation visited Algiers from 20 to 24 May 2024, marking a key step in cooperation with Algeria
From 20 to 24 May 2024, Algiers welcomed a CIHEAM delegation on the occasion of the 22nd edition of the SIPSA FILAHA International Exhibition of Agriculture, Livestock and Agribusiness. The first conference "The Panafrican Food Debate" of the DjazAqua Forum organised in collaboration with the Économie Bleue d’Expertise France Programme, and the Afrika Food Export Forum was held in the framework of this Show.
This visit to Algeria also enabled several working meetings held with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and associated institutes during which future collaborations to be developed in the fields of training, research and technical cooperation were discussed.
Finally, the CIHEAM delegation visited the ambassadors of Spain, France and Italy, host countries of the CIHEAM institutes in Zaragoza, Montpellier and Bari. A member of the CIHEAM since 1986, Algeria actively participates in many research and cooperation programmes of the organisation. Furthermore, the numerous Algerian alumni trained in the four CIHEAM institutes represent a unique human resource for relations between Algeria and the CIHEAM.
(More details below)
SIPSA FILAHA SHOW AND PANAFRICAN CONFERENCE (Algiers, 20-23 May)
The CIHEAM delegation, composed of the Secretary General, Mr Teodoro Miano, accompanied by the Administrator, Ms Yasmine Seghirate, the Director of the CIHEAM Zaragoza, Mr Raul Compés, the Director of the CIHEAM Montpellier, Mr Thierry Dupeuble, and the former Senior Scientific Administrator of the CIHEAM Montpellier, Pr Omar Bessaoud, actively participated in the SIPSA FILAHA exhibition that hosted the first edition of the travelling Conference "The Panafrican Food Debate".
Co-organised by the Filaha Innov Think Tank and the Institut Sénégalais des Recherches Agricoles (ISRA), this high-level meeting was intended as a space for discussion and cooperation between African States on sustainable and inclusive food systems in the context of climate change, water stress and facing socio-economic challenges in agricultural and rural areas.
On this occasion, discussions were held with a number of decision-makers, including H.E. Ms Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment.
WORK MEETINGS AT THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND THE INSTITUTES (22-24 May)
The Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Hamid Bensaâd, received the CIHEAM delegation in the presence of the directors of the production, cooperation, training, research and innovation departments and the Director General of INRAA.
During these meetings, future collaborations to be developed in the fields of research and technical cooperation were discussed, in line with the country's new agricultural strategy, which aims to strengthen food self-sufficiency, modernisation and innovation dynamics, accompany investors, integrate small farms into value chains or even preserve natural resources. Avenues are being analysed to offer Algeria tailor-made training courses for managers and professionals, and to develop joint cooperation and research projects, or to set up a Master of Innovation and Entrepreneurship for young people in Algeria.
VISIT IN THE AMBASSADIES (22 May)
The CIHEAM delegation was received by the Ambassadors of France, Italy and Spain to present its ongoing activities with Algeria and to recall the importance of relations with the country.
The CIHEAM Institutes of Montpellier (France), Zaragoza (Spain), Chania (Greece) and Bari (Italy), which host many students and researchers, count several Algerians among their teaching staff and project coordinators.
Today, some 30 CIHEAM projects are underway in Algeria in the fields of sustainable resource and energy management, reduction of agricultural losses and food waste along supply chains, improving the conservation of agrobiodiversity and agroecological practices, mitigating and adapting to climate change, and animal and plant health.
