A memorandum of understanding was signed between the Graduate Studies and Agricultural Research Institute in Arid Regions (ALARI) Ain Shams University and the International Dryland Development Committee (IDDC) on the sidelines of the activities of the Regional Action Initiative on Climate Change “RACC” hosted by Ain Shams University headed by Prof. Dr. Mahmoud Al-Metini, President of the University and the supervision of Prof. Dr. Mohamed Ayman Saleh, Vice President of Postgraduate Studies and Research, in cooperation with the International Committee for the Development of Drylands (IDDC), the International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA), and the Institute of Graduate Studies for Arid Zones at Ain Shams University during the period from 3-5 September 2022 at El Mahalawy Stadium Faculty of Medicine.

The memorandum of understanding was signed by Prof. Dr. Osama Al-Behairi, Dean of the Graduate Studies and Agricultural Research Institute in the Arid Regions (ALARI) and Prof. Dr. Adel El-Beltagy, President of the International Committee for the Development of Dry Lands (IDDC), in the presence of Prof. Dr. Ayman Farid Abu Hadid, Emeritus Professor, Institute of Agricultural Studies and Research of Dry Lands, Ain Shams University, and the former Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation.

This is within the framework of the joint cooperation between IDDC and ALARI to achieve the common goal of enhancing, exchanging and optimally disseminating scientific knowledge for the sustainable development of dry areas and with the aim of formalizing their cooperative relationship through this Memorandum of Understanding and according to the following:

First: Development of Joint Proposals, whereby IDDC and ALARI will cooperate in developing joint proposals for research for development and cooperation in seeking external funding for joint research projects as well as advocacy and knowledge exchange.

Second: The two parties, through their personnel, enhance cooperation in the field of agricultural research by exchanging visits, consultations and joint studies in areas of common interest and within budget limits. ALARI will participate in sponsoring and supporting conferences organized by IDDC.

Third: The Memorandum of Understanding stipulates that the two parties meet to coordinate at least once a year (when possible) to discuss areas of cooperation and develop action plans that describe more specifically the activities to be implemented within the framework of a cooperative program, and establish specific procedures for implementing those agreed activities. Accordingly, and wherever possible, these meetings are scheduled to coincide with other meetings in the region related to this cooperation, where the recommendations emanating from these meetings are submitted to the senior management of both parties for review and approval.

It is noteworthy that the Institute of Graduate Studies and Agricultural Research in Arid Regions (ALARI) at Ain Shams University in Egypt aims to prepare researchers in the field of modern agriculture to advance agricultural development in arid regions and contribute to desert cultivation and development of its resources, in addition to supporting cooperation with regional and international educational and research institutions to keep pace with development in educational systems and methods of scientific research, and strengthening cooperation with research centers concerned with the problems of agriculture in arid regions in Egypt and the world, through joint organization of meetings and conferences, and increasing the exchange of students, researchers and faculty members.

The International Committee for the Development of Drylands (IDDC), headquartered in Cairo, Egypt, which was established in 1987 by individuals and institutions concerned with sustainable development in dry areas through the promotion of research cooperation and communication, and is a global platform for scholars and relevant experts to exchange information through holding International scientific conferences, group discussions and symposia, and the proceedings of these scholarly deliberations are widely disseminated to enhance the awareness of individuals and institutions.