In the framework of GFAR 2006 Conference, AARINENA - Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Steering Committee meeting was held on 10 November, 2006, and attended by representatives of AARINENA sub-regions and Network Coordinators.
The participants highlighted the establishment of focal units in AARINENA member countries, and possibilities of improving National and Regional Agricultural Information Systems (NAIS-RAIS). 
 

Dr. Mohhamad Sallam Chairman of the Steering Committee mentioned that official letters have been sent to the National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) to encourage them to establish their focal units. He said that weakness of national agricultural information systems can affect RAIS and without a strong NAIS, a proper RAIS can’t build. Terms of reference for the focal units were discussed and drafted. 
Mrs. Taraneh Ebrahimi, underlined kinds of support to be given to the regional networks, and indicated that some pages on the AARINENA website were especially designed for the regional networks. The participants agreed that AARINENA should act as a portal in the future, so all networkÕs members can upload their data directly on the web from their countries. 
A tentative draft of the ICT-RAIS work plan (2007- 2009) was discussed. The participants agreed that the budget needs revising with focus on the priority issues including National Agricultural Research Information Management Systems (NARIMS) for which budget was already secured. 
Dr. Kheder Durah presented achievements of IPGRI related to development of information system in the region. He underlined that IPGRI developed an effective modeling tool to capture traditional knowledge, analyze and share among national programs; namely GRIS Portal. 

The participants adopted the implementation of the following activities in collaboration with IPGRI: 

• Support the focal units on implanting their information systems.
• Provide support for developing NARIMS in RAIS.
• Develop the Portal for AARINENA-RAIS and reengineering the AARINENA website and linking it with the GRIS portal.