Director-General praises UAE for date palm agricultural ingenuity and innovation
16 March 2021, Rome/Abu Dhabi – Date cultivation in the United Arab Emirates was testament to the country’s ingenuity and innovative approach to agriculture, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), QU Dongyu, said today.
In a video address to the virtual 13th session of the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation in Abu Dhabi, the Director-General noted that the UAE and FAO shared the same approach to innovation and development.
The Director-General also joined the Board of Trustees which is led by the UAE’s Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan.
“We share your spirit of innovation to find new and better ways of doing things, while maintaining the wisdom of our ancestors,” Qu said.
“Today, we need to apply science-based and modern approaches to date production, storage and marketing.”
The Director-General stressed that science-based approaches were needed for date production, storage and marketing and FAO was supporting all its Members in their efforts to transform agri-food systems to make them more efficient and sustainable.
“We do so through scientific advice, technical support and global initiatives,” he emphasized.
Alluding to the International Year of Plant Health, which has been extended into 2021, Qu noted that FAO was also redoubling efforts to control pests, such as the red palm weevil, which threatens the date palm and livelihoods in the region. FAO was sharing innovative technologies such as a dedicated mobile app that provides early warnings and advice on how to deal with the red palm weevil.
As the leading UN agency for the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables 2021, FAO was also working with partners to promote the benefits of dates, the Director-General said.
The virtual award ceremony was held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, of the UAE.
In his opening address to the ceremony, His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan stated that science and technology were essential for the advance of agriculture and that the UAE aimed to be a role model in the sustainable use of energy and water resources as a contribution to global development.
The award ceremony also featured a presentation of The Khalifa Award Report, which includes substantial input from FAO. The report draws attention to the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) and is a call to action for governing bodies and industry leaders to recognize the importance of date palm, particularly in the Near East and North Africa region.
Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Al Mehairi, the UAE’s Minister for Food and Water Security, and His Excellency Nasser Al Jasmi, UAE Youth Representative, also joined the Director-General on the Board of Trustees today.
FAO has been involved with the Khalifa International Award since it was established, as an expression of appreciation for the innovators and workers involved in national and international agriculture and the date palm sector, and to recognize sustainable development. The first annual Award Ceremony took place in 2009.
The Award is conferred on outstanding scientists, producers, influential figures and institutions and recognizes: distinguished innovative studies and modern technology; pioneering development and productive projects; distinguished producers in the date palm sector; pioneering and sophisticated innovations serving the agriculture sector and influential figures in date palm and agricultural innovation.
In March 2018, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed to strengthen cooperation in support of the date palm value chain, including responsible investment to enhance food security and improve livelihoods in the region.