Testimonials - The 14th Arab Congress of Plant Protection

The Arab Society for Plant Protection (ASPP) was officially established in 1981, and the first activity they focused their attention on was to establish the “Arab Congress of Plant Protection” an activity which is missing within the plant protection scientific community. The first congress was held at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan. Thanks to the Congress Organizing Committee, led by the late Dr. Walid Abou Gharbieh, who made the first congress a great success at international standards. That event was a cornerstone in the life of ASPP. In the following years, congresses continued regularly, once every three years, and passed through Damascus, El-Ain, Cairo, Fes, Beirut, Amman, El-Bayda, Damascus, Beirut, Amman, Hurghada, and 13 th ACPP was held in Hammamat, Tunisia. Participation in these congresses was always high (300-500 participants), mainly from the Arab region, but with significant representation from the rest of the world, despite the difficulties that our region has been passing through. At this moment we are looking forward to the 14 th ACPP which will be held in Algeria in November 2025. I was lucky, because I am among the very few who attended all previous congresses and looking forward, inshallah, to attend the coming congress in Algeria. I found it useful at this stage to reflect on this journey of congresses from 1983 until 2025. Although congresses are an essential component of the research process, it is not only a venue to listen to presentations made by other scientists, but equally important are the random one-to-one conservations that occur during coffee breaks, poster sessions, lunches, field trip….. that trigger sharing new ideas that make participants feel when they return home loaded with new things to do. In addition, such interactions expose them to new research ideas before they are published. Furthermore, congress permits young researchers to interact with more experienced scientists from around the world and gain more insight into new advances in scientific research, in a friendly professional environment. It permits researchers in specialty areas within plant protection to create sub-groups and initiate collaborative research activities. No doubt that what one gets from attending a congress cannot be gained from reading a scientific paper. It is a “congresses culture” that was achieved through the past 13 Arab plant protection congresses and will continue to do so during the coming 14 th ACPP in Algeria in the fall of 2025 and beyond.

I had the privilege of attending several editions of the Arab Congress for Plant Protection in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Tunisia, and I must say it was an outstanding experience. The congress brought together a diverse group of experts, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers from across the Arab world, all united by a shared commitment to advancing the field of plant protection, a commitment that I'm sure you, as part of this collective effort, can relate to. The high skills of invited speakers enriched the congresses with outstanding information from worldwide. The event was incredibly well-organized, with a rich program of presentations, panel discussions, and interactive sessions that covered the latest innovations, research findings, and strategies in plant protection. The quality of the discussions was exceptional, offering valuable insights into emerging trends, new technologies, and sustainable practices. One of the most remarkable aspects of the congress was the opportunity for networking and collaboration. I was able to connect with colleagues from various countries, exchange knowledge, and build partnerships that will undoubtedly contribute to our shared goals of enhancing food security and environmental sustainability. All employees of the Arab Society for Plant Protection are volunteers to serve the sector in the Arab region and work day and night without compensation. Since the establishment of the Society in 1981, it has published one of the best scientific journals, the Arab Journal of Plant Protection, as well as the Bulletin of Plant Protection in the Near East and North Africa, in addition to holding conferences every three years in one of the Arab countries. Overall, the Arab Congress for Plant Protection was a resounding success. It showcased the region's commitment to advancing agricultural practices and provided a vital knowledge exchange and capacity-building platform. This success is a testament to the value of your participation and the impact it can have on plant protection. I look forward to participating in future editions of this important event, which will take place in Algeria from November 3 to 7, 2025.