UPDATE
ON AOAD ACTIVITIES OF INTEREST TO THE SPS COMMITTEE
COMMUNICATION FROM AOAD
The
following communication, received on 22 May 2025, is being circulated at the
request of the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD).
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1 Capacity building in SPS Issues in the Arab Region
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Conducting
specialized training programs to build capacities in SPS fields, benefiting
hundreds of professionals across the Arab region;
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Developing
guidelines for producers and exporters on SPS and food safety requirements in
global markets;
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Supporting the
establishment and enhancement of traceability systems and risk assessment
frameworks to ensure food safety from production to consumption;
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Promoting the
concept of regionalization in managing animal disease outbreaks, enabling the
designation of disease-free zones within affected countries to sustain trade
and food security;
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Enhancing member
states' capabilities in surveillance, diagnostics, and rapid response to
phytosanitary threats affecting agricultural production and trade;
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Supporting the
adoption of rigorous scientific methodologies for establishing maximum residue limits
(MRLs) for pesticides and veterinary drug residues, ensuring food safety and
consumer protection;
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Promoting
scientific research and regional collaboration to align with international
standards on pesticide and veterinary drug use in agricultural production.
2 Technical Support in SPS to Arab Countries
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Supporting member
states in improving regulatory and laboratory systems to strengthen inspection
and quarantine procedures;
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Implementing
regional projects to combat transboundary agricultural pests, such as desert
locusts and animal epidemic diseases;
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Launching
initiatives to improve the quality and safety of agricultural and food products
in compliance with international standards;
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Adopting
different concepts of regional conditions based on risk assessment and
epidemiological situations, ensuring rapid outbreak response and minimizing
economic and agricultural impacts;
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Strengthening
regional cooperation among member states to facilitate information exchange and
enhance diagnostic and emergency response capabilities for transboundary animal
diseases;
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Developing
effective strategies for assessing and managing phytosanitary risks to mitigate
the spread of agricultural pests and plant diseases;
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Supporting the
development of regional quarantine regulations and standards in line with the
International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) to ensure global compliance;
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Encouraging the
adoption of advanced analytical techniques to detect chemical residues and
ensure compliance with public health and food safety regulations;
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Developing modern
regulatory frameworks to accommodate innovative agricultural and veterinary
technologies, such as digital farming and biotechnology;
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Supporting evidence-based
policies to ensure the safe and responsible use of emerging technologies in
agricultural and livestock production;
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Fostering
collaboration between governments, the private sector, and research
institutions to create flexible regulations that facilitate the adoption of new
technologies and drive sustainable development.
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