Several internal sub-groups established by the task force managed these activities with each sub-group preparing terms of reference for assignments in their field, as well as descriptions of the expected outputs which were later integrated into GRPI-Egypt activities. Five focus discussion groups (Marsa Matrouh, North Sinai, St. Katherine's Protectorate, Upper Egypt and DRC Headquarters in Cairo), as well as numerous face-to-face interviews were held country-wide as part of the DA in Egypt. The results of this consultation process were presented and discussed during a final multi-stakeholder workshop organised by the task force in Ain Shams University (Cairo, June 6-7, 2005).

A list of priority policy issues that the DA identified as requiring attention in order to improve the policy framework for genetic resources in Egypt were discussed by the task force and later narrowed down to three areas of work. These are then what formed the basis of a Phase II proposal.

GRPI-Egypt Phase II

Following a successful DA in GRPI-Egypt, a Phase II proposal was drafted, submitted to and approved by the GRPI Steering Committee in July 2005. Phase II for GRPI-Egypt was formally launched by the Egyptian task force during a national multi-stakeholder workshop attended by GRPI staff in early 2006.

Throughout 2006, the task force has been actively engaged in the execution of three components in complementary themes developed during the policy survey. These activities include: (i) Assessment of impact on GRFA in EIA (including focusing on community uses for land, land use maps and planning), (ii) Strengthened farmers’ rights concerning genetic resources and associated knowledge, and (iii) Sustained coordination for genetic resources policy making and technical analyses of policy options.

EEAA (Egyptian Environmental Agency Affairs), NRC (National Research Center) and DRC (Desert Research Center) are the current component coordinators. They are overseeing the implementation of the above activities in the order listed above and are therefore involved in managing the three components of Phase II activities for GRPI-Egypt, employing the multi-disciplinary, multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder (3M) approach.

On an complementary note, the Egyptian task force has been effective in the establishment and maintenance of a project web site within the context of the Policy Information Brokerage Service(PIBS). A variety of project documents and other related information is available on the web site: www.egypt.pibs.info.