GFAiR and AARINENA convened an online consultation on the Near East & North Africa (NENA) Global NARS Consortium (GNC).
The Global NARS Consortium (GNC) is an international alliance that brings together National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) to strengthen global collaboration, amplify the voice of national research institutions, and accelerate agricultural innovation for more resilient and sustainable food systems.
34 participants joined the conversation. Participation included national agricultural research centers, academies of agricultural sciences, universities, regional organizations, specialized research institutions and the GFAiR Secretariat. The composition combined senior institutional representatives and technical experts. Women represented 44.1% of recorded participants. Countries represented included UAE, Syria, Türkiye, Jordan, Morocco, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Uganda.
The consultation was organized through AARINENA as part of the regional operationalization of the Global NARS Consortium (GNC), while also engaging invited participants from other Regional Fora to support wider exchange and reflection.
The meeting presented two connected elements:
The meeting presented two connected elements:
- the NENA GNC Chapter and its draft Charter as a practical regional mechanism operating within and through AARINENA; and
- the Agricultural Research Quality, Comparability and Impact Initiative (AR-QCI) - a flagship initiative that can connect countries, institutions and researchers around research quality, comparability of evidence and stronger pathways from research to practical impact.
The consultation showed how a Regional Forum can move from GNC governance discussion to practical regional operationalization. AARINENA provided the institutional platform, convening capacity and regional leadership, while the NENA Chapter and Charter offered a structured way to organize country engagement, regional synthesis and feedback to GNC processes.
The AR-QCI discussion added a practical thematic entry point. Participants recognized that issues of agricultural research quality, comparability of results, use of existing standards and demonstration of practical impact are shared across regions. This makes AR-QCI relevant beyond its initial development through AARINENA and the NENA GNC Chapter. The interest expressed by CACAARI participants and other invited regional representatives suggests that AR-QCI could, subject to further review and voluntary participation, develop into a broader interregional area of collaboration under the GNC.
- Dr. Didem Kökden, senior International Relations Coordinator and expert at the General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies (TAGEM) Turkey: Agricultural ResearchQuality, Comparability and Impact (AR-QCI) Initiative
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