Jumaa Rashed Al-Remeithi, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates visits CATIE

• A tour of the campus showed the research work in the areas of coffee, cocoa and livestock.

11 July 2022. Representatives of the United Arab Emirates embassy in Costa Rica visited CATIE, led by its ambassador Jumaa Rashed Al Remeithi, and learned a little of the work being done by the centre in different areas of research and development of green business.

Muhammad Ibrahim, Director General of CATIE, welcomed the participants and gave a presentation explaining the history of the institution, which will soon celebrate its 50th anniversary, with a tour of the thematic units of work and the latest milestones in research, in addition to the impact that is being generated in the region by promoting Inclusive Green Development.

Carlos Araya, director of green business development, resource mobilisation and strategic alliances, highlighted the extension focus on issues of production and marketing of high quality coffee, cocoa, sustainable livestock management and the alliances that are being developed with the private sector.

As part of the visit, there was a tour of the campus to see the coffee and cocoa collections and the research being carried out for the genetic improvement of these species. In addition, they visited the coffee propagation greenhouses, with high quality improved hybrids, resistant to diseases such as rust and resilient to climate change.

Finally, the livestock farm was visited, to learn about the work being done with cattle, both dairy and fattening. Sustainable management practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions were appreciated, as well as the use of resources such as water harvesting and waste management through biodigesters.

Ambassador Al-Remeithi was very pleased with the visit and indicated that he will seek to strengthen the relationship between the centre and the embassy by generating joint projects.

The visit was attended by Marcela Campos, executive secretary of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, and Luis Diego Jiménez, leader of the Seed Bank and coordinator of commercial activities at CATIE.