ICARDA at the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in Dubai

ICARDA participated in the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in Dubai, held from 8 to 9 December 2025 at the Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre. The summit brought together more than 250 senior decision makers from across the agri-food value chain to advance climate-resilient agriculture and strengthen food security in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.

Dr. Aziz Niane, Senior Scientist for Seed Systems, International Nurseries and Seed Health and Regional Coordinator APRP.,  represented ICARDA in the panel discussion titled “Accelerating Genetic Innovation for Arid Agriculture.” During the session, he highlighted key questions facing the Gulf Cooperation Council, including how the region can reduce its reliance on imported seed varieties through regional, demand-driven research and development. He also discussed what a GCC-centric seed innovation platform could look like, and where strategic investment opportunities exist to support breeding pipelines, multi-location trials, and trait development tailored to the region's needs. 

For more information about the summit, visit the official website: https://worldagritechdubai.com/