Dr. Fatima Mohammed Ahmed Mohammed Rahma
Dr. Fatima Rahma is a highly experienced professional in the field of agricultural engineering and international relations. Born on April 4, 1967, in Sudan, she is single and currently resides in Sudan. She holds Sudanese nationality and is fluent in Arabic (mother tongue) and English (very good).

Education:
Dr. Rahma earned her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Agricultural Engineering in 2018 from Khartoum State, Omdurman. Her thesis focused on the role of Sudanese specialized banks in developing agricultural engineering technology in the Rahad Scheme.

Current Position:
Dr. Rahma serves as the Director General (DG) of the International Relations General Directorate at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forests in Sudan. In this role, she supervises and monitors four key administrations: Bilateral Cooperation, International and Regional Organizations, Foreign Funded Projects, and Agricultural Trade Affairs.

Professional Experience and Skills:
With extensive experience in international relations and agricultural development, Dr. Rahma has developed a wide range of skills, including:

• Negotiation, drafting, and reviewing agreements, contracts, protocols, and MOUs.
• Supervising bilateral and multilateral relations in the agricultural sector.
• Promoting and implementing agricultural investments and partnerships.
• Organizing conferences, workshops, seminars, and training programs (both virtually and physically).
• Conducting planning, research, and technical reporting.
• Knowledge management and sharing.
• Building relationships and partnerships with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and effective communication in multinational environments.
• Professional capacity building, coaching, and gender and socio-economic analysis.
• Expertise in value chain analysis, rural business development, and agricultural marketing.

Eng. Louis Lahoud Lahoud
Eng. Louis Lahoud Lahoud is the General Director of the Ministry of Agriculture in Lebanon. Born on September 8, 1977, in Zahle, Lebanon, he holds Lebanese nationality and is a Christian (Roum Catholique). He is single and resides in Zahle, St. Antonios Street, Louis Lahoud Building, 1st floor.

Education:
Eng. Lahoud holds a Master’s degree in Diplomacy, Negotiation Strategy, and International Relations from Sagesse University and Paris XI University (2008). He also earned a Diploma in Agricultural Engineering from St. Joseph University (2000) and completed his Lebanese Baccalaureate in Life Sciences at College Saints Coeurs – El Rasye, Zahle (1995). His academic achievements include two theses: one on agricultural policy for Lebanon (rated 16/20) and another on strategies for improving the agricultural sector (also rated 16/20).

Professional Experience:
Eng. Lahoud has extensive experience in agricultural policy and development. He currently serves as the General Director of the Ministry of Agriculture, a role he has held since 2003, with a brief interruption. He has also worked as an adviser to the Minister of Industry on agricultural processing (2003) and as a lecturer at Antonine University and the Lebanese University, teaching courses on epidemiology, agricultural strategy, and risk management.

Conferences and Courses:
Eng. Lahoud has participated in numerous international conferences and meetings, including sessions with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD), and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). He has represented Lebanon in discussions on agricultural development, trade, and environmental sustainability in countries such as Italy, France, Qatar, and Brazil.

Skills and Achievements:
Eng. Lahoud is fluent in Arabic, French, and English and has strong computer skills in Word, Excel, and Access. He completed his military service as an officer (2001-2002) and holds a practicing permit as an Agricultural Engineer since 2000. His performance as General Director of Agriculture was evaluated as excellent, with a score of 85/100. A judicial decision by the State Council in 2007 invalidated a decree that had placed him at the disposal of the Prime Minister, reaffirming his position.

Personal Information: Raeda Mohammed Ayoub is a Syrian Arab national holding a PhD in Community Rural Development. She is married and can be reached via email at dr.raeda.ayoub@gmail.com or by phone at 0933534456. Her residence is in Damascus on Al-Rawda Street, near the School Books Warehouse.

Work Experience: Raeda has extensive experience in the field of rural development. Since 2021, she has been serving as the Director of Rural Development. Prior to that, she was the Director of the Rural Women Development Directorate from 2006 to 2021. Her career in this field began in 1995, with positions including Head of the Rural Home Economics Department and Head of the Rural Women Development Unit.

Consultations: Throughout her career, Raeda has provided consultations for significant organizations, including the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and UNICEF. Her work has focused on the impact of small projects on economic development, as well as addressing gender issues in rural contexts.

Research and Studies: Raeda has authored numerous studies and guides addressing various aspects of rural development and women’s issues. Notable works include the “Syrian Rural Product Marketing Guide” and research on domestic violence against women in rural areas, both published in 2021.

Field Projects: She has managed various field projects aimed at empowering women and addressing rural poverty. These projects include the economic empowerment of rural women, which is ongoing since 2019, and the National Program for Family Agriculture launched in 2017.

Conferences Participation: Raeda has actively participated in numerous national and international conferences related to agriculture and rural development, contributing to discussions on women’s roles and poverty alleviation strategies. Key conferences include the Forum for Agricultural Sector Development in Syria (2021) and the Women in Business Forum (2010).

Awards: In recognition of her work, Raeda received the Research Grant in Social Sciences from the Arab Women Organization for her research on the social feasibility of micro-projects targeting rural women from 2000 to 2005.

Professor Dr. Alaa Azouz is a distinguished expert in food security, agricultural extension, and sustainable development. He currently serves as the Head of the Agricultural Extension Sector at the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation in Egypt. With a wealth of experience in leadership and management, Dr. Azouz has held several key positions, including Vice President of the Agricultural Research Center and Director and Deputy Director of the Food Technology Research Institute. He has also acted as a national coordinator for major agricultural projects in collaboration with international organizations, focusing on enhancing productivity, improving food security, and reducing post-harvest losses.

Dr. Azouz plays a pivotal role as the General Coordinator of the Presidential Initiative for Developing Egyptian Rural Villages, “Decent Life,” under the Ministry of Agriculture. In this capacity, he leads efforts to modernize agricultural infrastructure, improve irrigation systems, and adopt advanced technologies to enhance water and resource efficiency. His work aims to promote agricultural sustainability and improve the quality of life for rural communities.

Regionally, Dr. Azouz has chaired the Near East Forestry and Range Commission of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), contributing to the formulation of policies for protecting forests, rangelands, and biodiversity. He is also a leading advocate for addressing environmental challenges and climate change by promoting sustainable agricultural practices and reducing negative environmental impacts. Dr. Azouz consistently emphasizes the importance of conserving natural resources and implementing agricultural policies that balance current needs with the preservation of resources for future generations.