Structure

The MOAN main organs are the General Assembly, composed of the Country Representatives, acting as deliberative and policymaking organ and the Secretariat, based at CIHEAM Bari, responsible for coordination, management and fund raising. Ad hoc Task Forces may be set up when needed.

Country Representatives

Country Representatives are formally nominated by their respective Minister in charge of Agriculture.

The Country Representative shall preferably be a ministerial official regularly and directly involved in organic regulatory and policy decision-making.

Only one Representative per Ministry of Agriculture may be nominated as Country Representative in the MOAN General Assembly.

General Assembly

The General Assembly is composed of the nominated Country Representatives, one per member country of the Network. The General Assembly has a central role as deliberative and policymaking organ of the Network.

The General Assembly meets at least once a year, and whenever necessary upon request of at least 30% of the Country Representatives or the chairman in agreement with the MOAN Secretariat. The General Assembly is chaired by the Country Representative of the member country hosting the Network’s annual meeting.

The General Assembly considers and agrees on the Network’s:

  • proposals for activities made by Country Representatives
  • position statements
  • future orientations
  • revisions of governing rules

Country Representatives

Country Representatives are formally nominated by their respective Minister in charge of Agriculture.

The Country Representative shall preferably be a ministerial official regularly and directly involved in organic regulatory and policy decision-making.

Only one Representative per Ministry of Agriculture may be nominated as Country Representative in the MOAN General Assembly.

Chairperson

In each annual meeting, the MOAN General Assembly shall appoint a Chairperson whose mandate will last until the following annual meeting.

The Chairperson is generally the Country Representative of the host country of the following annual meeting and is supported by MOAN Secretariat in the fulfilment of his/her duties.

MOAN Secretariat

MOAN Secretariat is based at CIHEAM Bari. The Secretariat is composed of CIHEAM Bari staff members.

MOAN Secretariat coordinates MOAN activities and its tasks.

Task Forces

Ad hoc Task Forces may be set up to deal with issues and topics of specific interest for the Network or when specific projects and initiatives need to be carried out.

Task forces may be requested and proposed by any Country Representative at any time. Such requests and proposals shall be evaluated and approved by MOAN Secretariat upon available funds that could be raised by the Secretariat and/or member countries. Task Force members shall be selected preferentially, but not exclusively, from MOAN roster of organic experts and institutions in the Mediterranean Region.

Network enlargement

Any membership request shall be addressed to the MOAN Secretariat and upon approval it will inform the General Assembly.

Non-member countries and/or institutions/organisations are allowed to attend annual meetings as observers. The observer status request shall be addressed to MOAN Secretariat. The final approval will be given following consultation with the Chairperson in charge.