A year after joining the Board of CropLife Africa Middle East I was selected President at the Annual General Assembly in Johannesburg in June 2008. I am truly excited to be working as part of our industry for this association as well as in a region that offers a great deal of opportunities for our member companies. At the same time this presents important challenges and hard work to be managed by our association.

This 5th Annual Report of CropLife Africa Middle East has been totally re-worked compared to earlier reports in order to better align its content to the changed global priorities as defined by the Crop Protection Strategy Council. The Annual Report 2007 covers the fiscal year from January 1st to December 31st 2007. It has been prepared based on the detailed input from Regional and Area Coordinators.

General Assembly convened in June, 2006 in Nairobi, Kenya. Executive Committee elected. Regulatory harmonisation meetings held in three hubs. Stewardship activities: Train-the-Trainer courses; obsolete stocks; agricultural biotechnology; alliances and partnerships; new country memberships; communications, through newsletters, press releases, websites. EUREP-GAP initiatives. FAO Code of Conduct implementation. International conventions. Finance. Looking ahead.

Establishment of CropLife Africa Middle East as an independent regional association, evolving from the Africa Middle East Working Group (AMEWG). Capacity building and regulatory support at country and sub regional level. Regulatory harmonisation and hub meetings in three hubs. Training on Safe Use. Stewardship. Outlook for 2004 and beyond.