The Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD) was established in 1970, upon the desire of the Arab countries. Realizing the vital role of agriculture within the region's economy, the Arab countries recognized the need for coordination between their different policies in agriculture, natural and human resources as well as economic development, in order to achieve the ultimate goal of a fully integrated Arab economies. Khartoum hosts the organization's headquarters.
The organization's goals, stated upon its establishment, are defined on two dimensions: nationally as well as regionally. At the national level, AOAD is to assist member countries in developing and enhancing their respective agricultural sectors. At the regional level, AOAD is to facilitate coordination amongst member states in the agricultural sector, with the aim of achieving a fully integrated Arab economy union, and food self-sufficiency.
The Organization comprises all 21 Arab League members: Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Republic of Yemen. Membership is open to all Arab States and countries.
THE OBJECTIVES OF AOAD
The overall objective of the AOAD is to identify and develop linkages between Arab countries, and coordinate all agricultural and agricultural -related activities amongst them. In more specific terms, this entails the following:
1. Developing the natural and human resources available in the agricultural sector, and enhancing their output based on technical know-how.
2. Increasing agricultural productivity, both in the animal and plant sectors.
3. Facilitating exchange of agricultural products between Arab countries.
4. Increasing agricultural production in order to attain food self-sufficiency.
5. Supporting agricultural projects and processing industries.
6. Bettering the living conditions of workers in the agricultural sector.
In order to better attain these objectives, the AOAD deems it necessary to undertake a number of activities on the regional as well as national levels, such as the following:
1. Collecting and disseminating information and data relevant to the fields of food and agriculture.
2. Coordinating and supporting local and regional efforts in the agricultural sector, and in specific:
3. Scientific and technological researches, as well as socioeconomic studies in fields related to food, agriculture and rural communities.
4. Supporting organizations and service-providers in the fields of education, training, agricultural know-how, home-economics, credit and management, as well as development of rural communities.
5. Natural resources preservation and updated know-how in food processing industries.
PROGRAMS AND FIELDS OF WORK