Under the patronage of His Majesty King MAohammed VI
Opening of the International Dates Forum in Erfoud, with significant Emirati participation
In the presence of the Minister of Agriculture of the Kingdom of Morocco, and the Award’s Secretary General.
“Khalifa Award” the official partner for the third consecutive year, to the International Dates Forum in Erfoud, 2024The UAE Pavilion includes 18 booths, from 06 date producing countries,Under the supervision of Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation.
Erfoud(News Desk)::Under the generous patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, “May God protect him”, the 13th International Date Palm Forum started on Tuesday, 30th of October, 2024, in the city of Erfoud, southern Morocco, under the slogan “Moroccan Oases: For Resilient Systems facing Climate Change,” which is organized by the International Date Palm Forum Association and the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests in official partnership with Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation. H.E. Ahmed AlBawari, Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests, inaugurated the International Date Palm Forum in the presence of Saeed Zniber, Wali of the Drâa-Tafilalet region, Dr. Abdelouahhab Zaid, Secretary General of Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture, in addition to a number of central, regional and provincial officials of the ministry, representatives of a number of concerned ministerial sectors, local and security authorities, and civil society activists.
Dr. Abdelouahhab Zaid, Secretary General of Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, pointed out that the country’s participation in this framework comes to emphasize the depth of bilateral relations between the two countries and their people under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, King of the Kingdom of Morocco, “May God protect him,” and H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, “May God protect him,” and the importance of cooperation between date farmers, producers, manufacturers and exporters, at the national, regional and international levels.
He added that the UAE pavilion included a variety of the best types of Emirati dates that reflect the quality of the country’s agricultural production, in addition to displaying the latest innovations in the field of sustainable agriculture, and techniques for improving date palm productivity and preserving the environment. The pavilion also includes interactive workshops on modern agricultural technology used in the UAE, which enhances the exchange of knowledge and expertise with participants from different countries.
The number of exhibitors participating under the umbrella of the UAE pavilion reached 32 entities representing the public, private sectors, and civil society working in date palm cultivation and production, including 06 pavilions from the United Arab Emirates, 04 pavilions from the Arab Republic of Egypt, 03 pavilions from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, 02 pavilions from the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, 02 pavilions from the United Mexican States, and 03 pavilions from the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The UAE delegation participating consists of the following entities: Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, Agthia Company represented by Al Foah Dates Factory, Date Palm Friends Society.
The Award’s Secretary General pointed out that the UAE’s participation in this forum represents a qualitative and quantitative milestone as an official partner in the forum represented by Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation. This is an opportunity to highlight the efforts of the United Arab Emirates in what the country has achieved in terms of a pioneering position in developing and advancing the date palm cultivation and production sector, manufacturing and exporting dates at the regional and international levels. This is thanks to the directives and support of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, and the close follow-up of H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, Chairman of the Award’s Board of Trustees. The forum represents an opportunity to exchange experiences between producers, manufacturers and exporters of dates, which have become a strategic economic commodity in the equation of food security and achieving sustainable development.