Biography:

Prof. Dr. Adel El-Beltagy is currently Chair of the International Dryland Development Commission (IDDC), Professor, Arid Land Agricultural Graduate Studies & Research Institute (ALARI), Ain Shams University, Egypt. Board member of the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), Chair of the Food and Agriculture Research Council at the Egyptian Academy of Science, Member of of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) of the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS). Member of the Advisory Board of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
He has severd as Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, President of the Governing Board of the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM), Member of the Board of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
Prof. El-Beltagy has also served as Board Member of the Supreme Council of Science & Technology (2008-2011), Chairman of the Agricultural Research & Development Council (ARDC), Egypt (2007-2011), Vice Chair/Member of the board of the Global Crop Diversity Trust (GCDT) (2007-2011), Member of the CGIAR change steering team (2007-2008), Council member of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) (2006- 2011), Chair of the Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR) (2006-2010), Member of the FAO High-Level Committee addressing the implementation of the UN millennium development goals (MDGs) (2006-2011), Member of the European Action on Global Life Sciences (EAGLES), Member of the CDC ICWG - Climate Change (2004-2006), Board Member of the UN Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Board (2004-2005), Chairman of the CDC Integrated Natural Resource Management Committee (INRM) (2003-2005), Chairman of the Center Directors Committee (CDC) for the International agricultural research centers of the CGIAR (2002-2003), Chair of the Global Consortium to Re-build Agriculture in Afghanistan(2002-2006), Chairman of CDC Task-Force for Central West Asia and North Africa (CWANA) (1999-2006), Chairman of the CGIAR consortium for Sustainable Agricultural Development in Central Asia and the Caucasus (CAC) (1996-2006), Director General of the International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA)(1995-2006), Member of the CGIAR Genetic Resources Policy Committee (1994-1999), Chairman of the Scientific/Technical Council of the International Sahara and Sahel Observatory (SSO) (1993-2002), Director/Board Chairman of Agricultural Research Center of Egypt (1991-1995), Chairman of Executive Board, Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) (1989-1994) and the First Under-Secretary of the State for Land Reclamation of Egypt (1986-1991).

Awards:
2015, The Golden Medal of the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM) in recognition of enhancing the Agriculture Development in the Mediterranean

2014, Commander of the Order of Agricultural Merit, in recognition to his efforts in the International Agriculture Development, particularly in the Mediterranean countries

2011, Certificate of recognition from the board of the Global Crop Diversity Trust

2010, Certificate of recognition from The Association of Agriculture Research Institutions in Near East & North Africa AARINENA

2009, The Sultan Qaboos 'First Class' Order for Culture, Sciences and Arts for his contribution to the development of agriculture in the dry areas

2009, "2008 State Recognition Prize in Sciences", Egypt

2006, Degree of Honorary Doctorate of Science from the University of Khartoum, Sudan

2006, Golden Medal Award for achievements in agriculture, Republic of Armenia

2006, The Academic Status Award for contribution to the development of international cooperation in Agriculture from the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan

2005, Al-Istiklal Medal by His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein of Jordan

2004, Academic Status of Honorable Professor of the Scientific Council of Azerbaijan Agricultural Academy

2003, Sahel & Sahara Observatory (OSS) Honorary Medal

2002, Academician (Foreign Member) of the Tajik Academy of Agricultural Sciences in the field of crop science

2001, Honorable Academician of the Kyrgyz Agrarian Academy

1999, Foreign Member of the Georgian Academy Agricultural Sciences, Tbilisi

1999, Foreign Member of Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Moscow

1993, FAO silver medal in recognition for outstanding efforts and support to biological diversity, sustainable development of natural resources and agricultural development

1993, Fellow of the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, U.K.

1992, Received Certificate of Recognition for contributions to agricultural development in Egypt and the Shield of the University during the celebration Anniversary of Alexandria University

1992, Received Certificate of Recognition of the Highest Honor and the University Shield during the celebrations of the golden Anniversary of Ain Shams University

1991, FAO silver medal of "Trees for life " for supporting Agroforestation in Egypt specially in Arid Lands Republic of Armenia

1990, FAO silver medal of World Food Day, 1990 in recognition for efforts related to the issues of ecological degradation

1989, FAO silver medal commemorating the theme of the 1989 Food and Environment in recognition of the support to agricultural policy planning through contributions made to the national programme for New Land Reclamation, vertical agricultural expansion and appreciation for efforts to support all agriculture development projects in the country

1982, Golden Pen of the International Society for Horticultural Science.

Societies:

Founding member of the British Plant Growth Regulator Group. Member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), International Plant Growth Substances Association, International Society of Horticultural Science, American Society for Horticultural Science, Society for Experimental Biology (SEB), UK, Egyptian Society for Horticultural Science, World Water Council (WWC), Arab Water Council (AWC) and International Water Resources Association (IWRA).
He has authored/co-authored more than 180 scientific publications.

Abstract:

Impact of Climate Change on Sustainable Development in the Arab World "The Case of Egypt"

Earth is facing global challenges of ever-increasing population; presently 7.2 billion and by 2050, it is predicted to exceed 15 billion, far beyond the carrying capacity of the planet natural resources. The second threat is the climate change which will impact the livelihood of human-beings on this planet, such as anticipated 50% reduction of agriculture production, mass environmental out-migration of population in high risk areas of dry areas and the law land in the world, changes in the fauna and flora, including the aquatic life in the oceans, and sea level rise which will have its affect on, not only the coastal cities, but the deltas of the rivers (the River Nile Delta is among the most threatened deltas in the world).
An overview of the outcome of the different international conferences dealing with impact of climate change and the scenarios of adaptation and mitigation will be discussed. The concept of green sustainable economy and the link to the smart agriculture will be presented.
A focus on Egypt as an example of a country which is projected to suffer from both an ever increasing population rate, coupled with the impact of climate change. Presently the Egyptian population has reached 89 millions. This is double the number of its population in 1980. It is anticipated to reach 140 million by 2050. Egypt is the most populous country in the region of West Asia and North Africa (WANA), the Mediterranean, and the second in Africa.
Considering the interrelationship between the demographic pressure and the quality of the livelihood, The Nile Delta region is among the world most densely populated areas with average of 1,540 persons/square kilometer. With the subsequent increase in population, the individual share of agricultural land, energy, education, health, housing, transport will decrease. In general it will threaten the national and social security. Presently 40% of the population lives under $2/day, and 20% on $1/day. The highest value of poverty is related to rural Upper-Egypt. Within the context of sustainable Agriculture Development Strategy 2030, examples will be presented for adaptation tools to minimize the impact of climate change in Egypt