AAAID and FASRC Sign MoU to Advance Agricultural Innovation and Food Security in the Arab World

By: Neimat AlNaiem

The Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development (AAAID) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federation of Arab Scientific Research Councils (FASRC), one of the specialized organizations operating under the umbrella of the League of Arab States( AL)

The agreement, signed on 26 October 2025 at AAAID’s head office in Dubai , in strategic step aimed at strengthening scientific research and agricultural development across the Arab region , in seeks to deepen cooperation in applied scientific research, agricultural innovation, and modern technology development to support sustainable agricultural sectors in Arab countries.

The MoU was signed by His Excellency Dr. Obaid Saif Hamad Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Board, Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development (AAAID), and His Excellency Prof. Abdelmajid BenAmara, Secretary-General, Federation of Arab Scientific Research Councils (FASRC), in the presence of senior officials, experts, and researchers from both organizations.

This partnership establishes a comprehensive institutional framework for greater integration between scientific research and agricultural investment. It includes joint applied research projects, training programs, and scientific workshops aimed at building national capacities in modern agriculture. It also envisions the launch of awards for scientific excellence and agricultural innovation, encouraging Arab researchers and innovators to develop creative solutions to food security challenges.

Additionally, the MoU provides for the joint publication of a scientific journal dedicated to applied agricultural research, sustainable farming, artificial intelligence in agriculture, water resource management, and agricultural value chain development. Both organizations will also exchange data, expertise, and scientific knowledge to enhance agricultural productivity and the sustainability of natural resources.

On this occasion, H.E. Dr. Obaid Al-Zaabi emphasized the importance of the collaboration, stating: “This partnership reflects AAAID’s commitment to strengthening the role of applied scientific research in supporting agricultural investments and developing innovative, science-based solutions to improve agricultural efficiency and food supply chains across the Arab region. We firmly believe that building bridges between research institutions and the investment sector is key to achieving sustainable Arab food security”.

He added that the MoU represents “an important step towards unifying Arab efforts in transferring and localizing modern agricultural technologies and empowering research talent to advance the agricultural sector in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and AAAID’s vision for regional food security.”

For his part, H.E. Prof. Abdelmajid BenAmara, Secretary General of FASRC, remarked that the MoU highlights the Federation’s dedication to fostering strategic Arab partnerships that harness the outcomes of scientific research to serve development priorities.

He noted that the collaboration extends the Federation’s ongoing efforts to promote Arab research integration in the fields of food security, water, energy, and agricultural innovation, and supports broader initiatives for sustainable development across the Arab world.

The agreement reflects a shared vision between both institutions to leverage scientific knowledge and innovation in advancing agricultural development—through promoting applied research, developing smart agricultural technologies, and empowering national expertise in managing agricultural resources efficiently and sustainably.

The MoU also underscores AAAID’s regional leadership role in driving Arab initiatives that enhance food security through responsible investment, institutional partnerships, and the adoption of sustainable agricultural technologies aligned with global environmental and technological transformations.

Through this strategic alliance, AAAID and FASRC reaffirm their joint commitment to establishing an integrated Arab model for agricultural innovation, positioning scientific research as a cornerstone for achieving sustainable economic and social development across the Arab world.

AAAID and FASRC seek to build a bridge between the outcomes of scientific research and the needs of agricultural investment, transforming knowledge into practical, actionable solutions.

 The agreement represents a comprehensive Arab model for agricultural innovation, integrating scientific knowledge, sustainable financing, and institutional partnership to achieve inclusive development.

 Al-Zaabi: “AAAID is committed to transferring and localizing modern agricultural technologies to strengthen the capabilities of Arab countries in achieving food self-sufficiency”.

 Al-Zaabi: “Scientific and technological innovation is the core driver in building a more efficient and sustainable agricultural sector capable of addressing food security challenges”.

 BenAmara: “This agreement with AAAID serves as an institutional platform to activate partnerships between scientific research and agricultural investment across the Arab world”.