September 30, 2026
Dr. Nizar Haddad
ICARDA welcomes Dr. Nizar Haddad as its new Director General, effective 1 October 2026, marking the beginning of a new chapter as it continues to advance science, innovation, and partnerships for more resilient dryland agriculture and stronger livelihoods.
Dr. Nizar Haddad takes on the role at a critical time for ICARDA and the dryland regions it serves. Climate change, water scarcity, land degradation, biodiversity loss, food insecurity, and geopolitical instability are putting growing pressure on agricultural systems and rural communities. However, advances in genetics, digital technologies, natural resource management, and agricultural innovation are creating new ways to respond to these challenges and build more resilient dryland food systems.
Dr. Haddad is an international development leader with more than 25 years of experience advancing agricultural research, institutional transformation, and sustainable development in dryland environments. Throughout his career, Dr. Haddad has focused on translating scientific knowledge into practical solutions that support farmers, rural communities, and national development priorities. His work has consistently bridged research, policy, and implementation to deliver impact at scale.
Prior to joining ICARDA, Dr. Haddad served as Mission Head and Program Director for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Saudi Arabia, where he led one of FAO’s largest country programs supporting 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), leading a major institutional transformation that strengthened scientific capacity, expanded strategic partnerships, enhanced resource mobilization, and elevated the center's national and international standing.
During his tenure, he oversaw the expansion of Jordan’s National Seed Bank and established the country’s first agricultural innovation incubator. His experience also includes senior leadership roles at Fresh Del Monte Produce, where he contributed to innovation, sustainability, and circular bioeconomy initiatives across global agrifood value chains.
Dr. Haddad has authored and co-authored more than 150 scientific publications, books, and technical contributions on dryland agriculture, biodiversity, genetic resources, climate resilience, pollinators, water management, and sustainable agrifood systems.
He has worked extensively with governments, national agricultural research systems, international organizations, donors, academia, and the private sector, guided by the belief that lasting impact is achieved when scientific excellence is combined with strong institutions, strategic partnerships, and a clear focus on improving livelihoods.
For five decades, as the only CGIAR Center headquartered in the CWANA Region, ICARDA has worked with national research systems, governments, development organizations, universities, farmers, and other partners to develop and scale science-based solutions tailored to the realities of dryland agriculture. Building on this legacy, Dr. Haddad will lead ICARDA into its next chapter, driving the delivery of its 2030 Research and Innovation Strategy and positioning it to further strengthen and advance scientific excellence, expand strategic partnerships, and translate research into meaningful impact for communities across the world’s drylands.
Dr. Haddad will carry out his duties as Director General from Cairo, Egypt, in accordance with ICARDA’s current operational arrangements.
“I deeply appreciate the Board’s trust in me and the confidence they have placed in my leadership. I also want to acknowledge Mr. Aly Abousabaa’s significant efforts and contributions to ICARDA. I am honored to join the CGIAR family and look forward to working closely with scientists, staff, and partners as we build on this strong foundation and contribute to the global effort to advance food security and resilience across the world’s drylands.”
ICARDA Board Chair Dr. Tareq Al-Zabet welcomed Dr. Haddad’s appointment, noting his extensive scientific expertise, international experience, and record of institutional leadership.
“The Board is confident that Dr. Haddad will build on ICARDA’s legacy and lead it with vision, integrity, and ambition as it enters its next chapter,” said Dr. Al-Zabet. “We look forward to working with him and with ICARDA’s partners around the world to advance our shared commitment to more resilient drylands and stronger livelihoods.”
Dr. Haddad succeeds Mr. Aly Abousabaa, who concludes his ten-year tenure as Director General on 30 September 2026. ICARDA recognizes Mr. Abousabaa’s dedicated leadership and his contribution to strengthening ICARDA's scientific and institutional foundations, partnerships, resource base, and position within CGIAR and the wider global agricultural research community.
Left to right: Dr. Nizar Haddad; Mr. Aly Abousabaa at ICARDA’s Cairo office, September 2026. Photo: ICARDA.
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