An international conference was held in Amman, Jordan in September 1997 to examine mounting problems of poverty and environmental degradation in the low rainfall areas (LRAs) of the eight Mashreq and Maghreb countries of West Asia and North Africa (Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria from the Mashreq region, and Algeria, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia from the Maghreb), and to seek solutions which reconcile economic growth with equity and environmental conservation -- the "3 E's" of sustainable development.

The conference, held under the distinguished patronage of His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Hassan of Jordan, was co-sponsored by the German Foundation for International Development (DSE), the Jordanian National Center for Agricultural Research and Technology Transfer (NCARTT), the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). It was attended by policymakers, scientists, and farmers from countries of the region, international development agencies, and international researchers.

The conference was also presented with the findings of a three-year collaborative research project dealing with these issues and including scientists from the eight Mashreq and Maghreb (M&M) countries and two international agricultural research centers. This project was co-financed by the Arab Fund for Social and Economic Development (AFSED) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

To order a workshop summary paper, please fill out an online order form, email ifpri-ept@cgiar.org or send requests to Environment and Production Technology Division, IFPRI, 2033 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006, U.S.A.