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In view of the positive impact of the regional projects coordinated by CORAF/WECARD within the framework of ECOWAS agricultural policy, the institution has once again been asked to support all the countries in the sub-region, in the formulation of the^2nd generation of agricultural investment programs at both national (PNIA) and regional (PRIA) levels. As a regional cooperation organization, and the technical arm of ECOWAS, CORAF/WECARD will provide expertise throughout the process in areas relating to innovation capacity building and research coordination, technology dissemination and knowledge sharing, seed policy and marketing, as well as biotechnology and biosafety. The aim is to better respond to emerging challenges such as the nutrition dimension, the resilience of vulnerable populations, gender, climate change and the contribution of research.

This is one of the main conclusions of the workshop to launch the formulation of the second phase of the NAIPs and PRIA organized by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) from May 30 to June 2, 2016 in Abidjan- Côte d'Ivoire.

In his presentation, Dr Abdou TENKOUANO, Executive Director of CORAF/WECARD, outlined the institution's mandate, as well as its major achievements in terms of technology transfer and capacity building for its network of scientific researchers and the private sector.

"Today, scaling up CORAF/WECARD's successes and approaches through NAIPs and PRIAs is CORAF/WECARD's priority in order to achieve the CAADP objective over the next 10 years," asserted Dr Abdou TENKOUANO, before calling for the establishment of sustainable, local sources of funding for research and knowledge management.

Another major highlight of the Abidjan meeting was the preface to the first regional catalog of certified seeds developed by CORAF/WECARD, which was signed by Tchambacou AYASSOR, the new ECOWAS Commissioner for Agriculture, Environment and Water Resources.

As part of the implementation of PRIA Objective 1 on "Agricultural Intensification", CORAF/WECARD, the technical arm of ECOWAS, has implemented the West African Agricultural Productivity Program (WAAPP) and the West African Seed Program (WASP). These two initiatives have enabled the sub-region to adopt a strategy for the development of biotechnologies, as well as regulations on biosafety, seeds and the use of pesticides.

The Abidjan workshop represents a fundamental step towards achieving the Zero Hunger goal by 2025. The second generation of NAIPs by 2025 will innovate by integrating the various convergent initiatives and priority regional orientations adopted as part of the ECOWAP + 10 and Perspectives 2025 Conference held in November 2015 in Dakar (Senegal).