The Minister of Agriculture and the President of Al-Azhar University/Gaza discuss ways to rehabilitate the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, and support scientific research and the recovery of the agricultural sector.

⭕ Coordination for the Ministry of Agriculture's participation in the First International Scientific Conference on Rebuilding Food and Agricultural Systems in Gaza Strip.

⭕ The Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine presents its scientific vision for contributing to the recovery and reconstruction of the agricultural sector in Gaza.

⭕ Agreement reached on preparing a joint action plan to enhance scientific research and agricultural extension, and to attract funding for development projects.

Ramallah/Gaza: July 12, 2026

Minister of Agriculture, Professor Rizq Slaimiya, held a meeting via Zoom with the President of Al-Azhar University in Gaza, Professor Omar Milad, the Vice President for Administrative Affairs, Dr. Muhammad Shubeir, and the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Ahmed Abu Shaaban. Also present were the Minister's Advisor for Southern Governorates Affairs, Dr. Ahmed Al-Fares, the Head of the Higher Committee for Agricultural Emergencies in Gaza, Engineer Yasser Awidat, the Deputy Director General for Administrative and Financial Affairs, Mr. Majed Shaheen, and the Coordinator of NGOs and International Organizations, Mr. Khaled Jabr. The meeting aimed to discuss prospects for joint cooperation and building a strategic partnership between the Ministry of Agriculture and Al-Azhar University, contributing to supporting scientific research and the recovery of the agricultural sector in Gaza Strip. The two sides discussed the Ministry of Agriculture's participation in the First International Scientific Conference on Rebuilding Food and Agricultural Systems, organized by Al-Azhar University and scheduled for December 2026. The conference is envisioned as a national scientific platform for exchanging expertise, building partnerships, and launching initiatives that contribute to the recovery of the agricultural sector and the rebuilding of food systems in Gaza Strip. They also agreed to continue coordinating on the initiatives and programs that will emerge from the conference.

Minister Slaimiya listened to the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine's vision regarding its role in the recovery and reconstruction phase, and the needs required to rehabilitate the faculty and enhance its academic, research, and extension capabilities. This would enable it to produce scientific knowledge, develop applied research and innovation, prepare agricultural professionals, and contribute to finding scientific solutions to the challenges facing the agricultural sector. It would also facilitate the transfer of knowledge and modern technologies to farmers through extension and training programs.

Both sides emphasized the importance of building a strategic partnership based on scientific research and innovation, agricultural training and extension, and implementing joint projects to rehabilitate laboratories, teaching farms, veterinary clinics, and research platforms. They also stressed the need to attract funding from institutions and donors to support agricultural education and serve the agricultural sector in the Gaza Strip. At the conclusion of the meeting, both parties agreed to prepare a joint action plan and define cooperation priorities, in order to contribute to achieving common goals and enhancing the role of the Ministry and the University in supporting the recovery and reconstruction of the agricultural sector.