A Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund professional delegation returned to Israel from the Republic of Chad in early July after spending time in the African country with the goal of learning the situation in Chad in order to collaborate in bolstering agriculture and land fertility, water and surface runoff management, and to continue combating desertification during a time of climate changes.
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The delegation was headed by KKL-JNF's Chief Forester, Gilad Ostrovsky, and included KKL-JNF experts in environmental fields, in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that was signed a few months ago between the relevant entities; with the purpose of sharing relevant KKL-JNF expertise with the Republic of Chad. "The professionals spent 10 days in the republic, some in Chad's open fields while getting to know the region's physical characteristics, and others involved meeting senior politicians and local professionals. The delegation is an essential part of strengthening Israel's relations with the Republic of Chad, which is a Muslim country that acts as a central player in the African Union," KKL-JNF said in a statement. "The delegates met the Republic Secretary General and discussed the joint desire to cooperate and promote projects that can realistically be executed. In addition, at a meeting with the President's Advisor on Agriculture and Water, the KKL-JNF professionals were briefed on the many challenges being faced in the fields of regional agricultural development and the water economy. Later on, they joined the Minister of Communication who had previously visited Israel, and he as well, expressed his appreciation of the productive cooperation with Israel through KKL-JNF. The delegation was faithfully accompanied by Nassour Delio, who is responsible for the republic's international cooperation and works directly under the President of Chad, together with the National Agency of Investment and Regional Collaboration."
According to the statement, "upon the delegation's return to Israel, the delegates began to develop a practical work plan along with defining short-term and long-term goals for the Republic of Chad. The developing work plan will reflect a combination of the conclusions and findings identified by the delegates, the regional needs as expressed by the senior politicians, and the voices that were heard in the field among the people of Chad. As previously stated, the delegation is a result of the MOU that was recently signed between KKL-JNF and the Republic of Chad, and it aspires to lead to a significant, real change that will benefit Chad and its citizens while dealing with the effects of climate changes.
Avraham Duvdevani, Chairman of KKL-JNF stated: "One of KKL-JNF's most important goals is to take part in the global effort to combat climate change, in order to ensure a better future. Therefore, we are happy to share our knowledge and technologies while cooperating with countries around the world in the fields that we are active in. I congratulate the delegation that visited the Republic of Chad and will be collaborating with Chad to find options for local solutions of water resources management and afforestation methods. It is important for us to contribute to the national effort of strengthening the relations between Israel and Chad and the African Union's countries."
Gilad Ostrovsky, KKL-JNF's Chief Forester remarked: "In continuation of the MOU that was signed by KKL-JNF and the Republic of Chad, a delegation that specializes in the fields of managing water resources, agriculture and afforestation traveled to the republic. We visited the country and toured the field in order to learn about the country's situation closely, in order to consolidate a work plan in accordance with our findings."
