30 September 2026, Cairo, Egypt: The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) has appointed Dr. Nizar Haddad as its Director General, effective 1 October 2026.
Haddad will lead ICARDA as dryland agricultural systems face pressures from climate change, water scarcity, land degradation, biodiversity loss, food insecurity and geopolitical instability. At the same time, developments in genetics, digital technologies, natural resource management and agricultural innovation are creating new approaches to dryland agriculture.
Haddad brings more than 25 years of experience across agricultural research, institutional leadership and sustainable development. His career has included work with international organizations, national research systems, academia and the private sector, with a focus on connecting research with policy and implementation.
Before joining ICARDA, Haddad served as Mission Head and Program Director for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Saudi Arabia. In that role, he led FAO’s country programme, covering agrifood systems transformation, climate resilience, sustainable resource management and rural development.
He previously served as Director General of Jordan’s National Agricultural Research Center (NARC), where he led institutional changes that included strengthening scientific capacity, expanding partnerships and resource mobilization, and increasing the centre’s research profile. During his tenure, NARC expanded Jordan’s National Seed Bank and established the country’s first agricultural innovation incubator.
Haddad has also held senior positions with Fresh Del Monte Produce, where his work included innovation, sustainability and circular bioeconomy initiatives across agrifood value chains.
His research and technical work spans dryland agriculture, biodiversity, genetic resources, climate resilience, pollinators, water management and sustainable agrifood systems. He has authored or co-authored more than 150 scientific publications, books and technical contributions.
As Director General, Haddad will oversee ICARDA’s work under its 2030 Research and Innovation Strategy, with a focus on research, partnerships and the application of agricultural science in dryland regions.
ICARDA, a CGIAR research centre headquartered in the Central and West Asia and North Africa (CWANA) region, has worked for five decades with national research systems, governments, development organizations, universities, farmers and other partners on agricultural research for dryland environments.
Haddad succeeds Aly Abousabaa, who concludes a ten-year tenure as ICARDA Director General on 30 September 2026.
Commenting on his appointment, Haddad said he looked forward to working with ICARDA’s scientists, staff and partners and contributing to efforts to strengthen food security and resilience across dryland regions.
Dr. Tareq Al-Zabet, Chair of the ICARDA Board, said the Board expected Haddad to build on the centre’s existing foundations and work with its partners on dryland resilience and livelihoods.
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