Khartoum, Nov. 12 (SUNA) - The Council of the Union of Arab Universities announced its initial and institutional approval to establish a center for scientific research in the areas of food security and climate change in Sudan. During their meeting with Lieutenant-General (Naval) Ibrahim Jaber at the Republican Palace the Secretary-General of the Union, Dr. Amro Ezzat Salama, noted: "We fully welcome, in principle, the establishment of a scientific research center to work in the areas that will be agreed upon between Sudan and the Federation of Arab Universities, especially in the areas of food security and climate change. “ Lieutenant-General Ibrahim Jaber who met in his office at the Republican Palace on Thursday the delegation of the members of the Executive Office of the Association of Arab Universities, has asserted the Sudan readiness to host the proposed center under the umbrella of the Union of Arab Universities, to contribute to addressing the problems facing Arab countries, especially in the areas of providing food security and climate change, noting that the recent Arab summit in Algeria, in which all Arab leaders participated, dealt extensively with the issue of food shortage and its impact on the future of the Arab world and all of humanity, adding that this is an opportunity to transform ideas into tangible reality, calling on the visiting delegation to consider the Sudan's potential in similar experiences of various regional partnerships. The Secretary-General of the Association of Arab Universities, Dr. Amr Salama, has commended the Sudanese leadership its openness and strategic visions that go beyond Sudan to find solutions to the Arab region and the African neighborhood. The delegation of the Union of Arab Universities also visited the headquarters of the IGAD Regional Center for guidance and example, and awarded Lieutenant-General Jaber (the Golden Star) to the Federation of Arab Universities, considering him a sponsor of scientific research and higher education. The Assistant Director-General of the Association of Arab Universities, Dr. Abdel Rahim Al-Hinti, on his part pointed to the Sudan enormous agricultural potential, and that the establishment of a center for scientific research focused on developing this field to translate the slogan of “Sudan the food basket of the Arab world”, into a reality when specialized scientists meet and present the necessary research and studies to the Arab leaders and concerned institutions to develop scientific and practical programs guided by scientific research. Durig their visit to the IGAD Regional Center sponsored by Lieutenant-General Jaber, Al-Hinti pointed to the IGAD’s Center as a model for regional partnerships, expressing pleasure over leaders concern on scientific research as a basis for development and construction. For his part, Professor Imad Al-Din Al-Amin Al-Taher Ardi Bardeeb welcomed the members of the Executive Office of the Union of Arab Universities, promising work of the Sudanese Universities Union for future cooperation and joint work with Arab universities on food security problems, climate change, and other benefits to the Sudanese people, the Arab world and humanity as a whole. It is worth noting the delegation of the Executive Office of the Association of Arab Universities included scholars from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Tunisia, Algeria, Palestine, Jordan and Somalia. ta