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Head of MASHAV Ambassador Daniel Carmon (left) and UNIDO Director General Dr. Kandeh Yumkella sign the agreement (Photo: MFA)

MASHAV and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (May 14) to increase cooperation on food security, water management, the empowerment of women and industrial development in Africa and in least developed countries. 

This is an additional step in creating international partnerships in the area of development, and a recognition and appreciation of Israel's abilities and contribution to global development.

The signing ceremony took place in the presence of the Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Rafael Barak. Signing the agreement on behalf of the UN was the Director General of UNIDO, Dr. Kandeh Yumkella. The Head of MASHAV Ambassador Daniel Carmon signed on behalf of Israel. 

The cooperation between MASHAV and UNIDO builds on the two organizations’ mutual and complementary capabilities and will focus on capacity building in such areas as agriculture-related technologies and biotechnology; support to small and medium industrial enterprises; women's empowerment; women's entrepreneurship development; rural entrepreneurship development; and environment and sustainability.

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The 18th International Agricultural Technology Exhibition, Agritech, one of the world’s most important exhibitions in the field of agricultural technologies, will be held May 15 – 17, at the Israel Trade Fairs and Convention Center in Tel Aviv. The exhibition program will include the Conference of the International Committee for Plastics in Agriculture (CIPA),  held once every three years, with the participation of distinguished speakers.

Ambassador Daniel Carmon, Head of MASHAV will take part in CIPA’s professional panel on Implementing Advanced Agricultural Technologies in Developing Countries – Challenges, Practices and Vision; and will present “Israel's Contribution to Global Food Security and Enhancement of Sustainable Agriculture.”  Participants in MASHAV’s courses currently in Israel will be also attending the Conference.

During Agritech 2012, MASHAV will host a High-Level Dialogue on 'Agricultural Innovations for Integrated Rural Development' (May 16) with the participation visiting Ministers from around the world and other high level officials.

 International cooperation and the sharing of best practices and solutions for integrated rural development are of utmost importance for developing countries, where the challenges of food security, poverty and hunger are most acute.  The purpose of the event is to share innovative approaches and agricultural technologies developed and implemented by Israel. Israel's Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ms. Orit Noked, will open the event.

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Ambassador Daniel Carmon (left) and Dr. Rajiv Shah sign the Cooperation Agreement

The Head of MASHAV, Ambassador Daniel Carmon and Dr. Rajiv Shah, USAID Administrator, signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Washington (April 18) to enhance bilateral cooperation on food security within the framework of the "Feed the Future" Initiative focusing initially on Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.

At the signing ceremony, Dr. Shah said that the US recognizes Israel's achievements in specific areas that are of increasing value some of USAID's top priorities, especially Israel's expertise in water conservation, dryland management, and the ability to turn arid lands into highly productive farms.

USAID and MASHAV are committed to combating poverty and hunger by working together with partner institutions in developing countries to increase food security. The two agencies plan to work together on improving agricultural production and productivity; reducing pre- and post-harvest losses; irrigation and water technology; and cross-cutting issues including the implementation of applied research and development results, gender, capacity building, nutrition, and climate change.

Achieving real progress on global food security requires new approaches and new partnerships. By working together at both the strategic and operational levels, MASHAV and USAID can extend the impact and increase the efficiency of their programs and thus achieve better outcomes.

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Photo: Vardi Kahana

Supported by MASHAV, Eye from Zion  is a group of Israeli doctors who volunteer their time to restore sight to people in developing countries. One of their recent mission took place in March, when a medical delegation led by Prof. Dov Weinberger, Head of Ophthalmology at Israel’s Rabin Medical Center, flew over with representatives from the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), to Ethiopia where they performed over 160 cataract surgeries in a portable operation room donated by Chaim Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer.

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During the PHEM-EURO 3 training program at Shefayim

The 3rd International Training Program on Public Health and Emergency Management (PHEM-EURO 3) was held in February 2012 at MASHAV’s Training Centre in Kibbutz Shefayim as part of Israel’s cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO) Europe Regional Office.

Twenty four senior professionals from Albania, Azerbaijan, Czech Republik, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Republic of Moldova, Poland, Ukraine and the Republic of Kosovo, took part in this special program of “training of trainers.”  The workshop focused on human resources capacity building to enhance and support the establishment of sustainable national training programs in Member States of the WHO European Region in order to strengthen emergency preparedness and risk management knowledge and policies at the country level.

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Dr. Yanay at work in Nauru

Israeli nephrologist, Dr. Noa Yanay, arrived in Nauru in January 2012 for a 2-month medical mission in the area of nephrology. Upon her arrival, Dr Yanay stated that the leading cause of kidney disease is diabetes, and thus the importance of prevention and control of both diabetes and high blood pressure. Dr. Yanay believes these issues should be addressed, and emphasizes that lifestyle changes can prevent diabetes and lessen complications.

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From left to right: Ambassador Daniel Carmon, Head of MASHAV; Mr. Sha Zukang, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs; Israeli Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ms. Orit Noked; and Mr. Ilan Fluss, Director of MASHAV’s Policy Planning and External Relations Department Photo: Hillel Gabai, MFA

Towards the 2012 Rio+20 Conference, the Government of Israel through MASHAV and the Ministry of Agriculture, jointly with the Secretariat of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UN-DESA) co-organized in Israel (October 25-27) a High-Level Expert Group Meeting on Using Green Agriculture to Stimulate Economic Growth and Eradicate Poverty.

Some 70 delegates from 27 countries participated in the meeting, which purpose was to raise awareness of the central role that green and sustainable agriculture can play to stimulate economic growth and combat poverty through the sharing of know-how, best practices and lessons learned.

The opening statement was delivered by Mr. Sha Zukang, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, who stated that: “Israel has proven to be a leader in agricultural technology for development, practising innovation and implementing sustainable solutions for agricultural development, food security, and climate change adaptation and mitigation. They have informed and advised the Commission on Sustainable Development on matters related to integrated water management, drylands, and sustainable crop production. We have much to learn from the Israeli agricultural experience. I wish to commend the in-country experts here today for the dedication they have shown in organizing and contributing to this ambitious and interesting program. I would therefore like to take this opportunity to thank the Israeli Government for your continued leadership, commitment, and generosity. I look forward to our continued collaboration in the coming months as we prepare for Rio+20.”  

The conclusions of the Expert Group Meeting were summarized in an outcome document written collectively by the participants which will be presented as a contribution of the group to the Rio+20 preparatory process and will be incorporated in the compilation document to be submitted to the second Intersessional Meeting in December 2011.