Shamma Bint Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Visits ICBA To Strengthen Sustainable Agriculture And Food Security Initiatives
Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, President and CEO of the UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA), recently visited the International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA). The visit aimed to explore ICBA's research and strategies addressing agricultural and environmental sustainability challenges. Dr. Tarifa Al Zaabi, Director General of ICBA, welcomed Sheikha Shamma and expressed gratitude for her interest in their work.
During the visit, Dr. Al Zaabi outlined ICBA’s strategic vision and its contributions to global food security through innovative biosaline agriculture research. She highlighted the centre's impactful partnerships that aim to address issues in arid and saline environments. The discussions also covered ICBA’s preparations for COP29 and COP16, building on its success at COP28 to further advance global climate dialogues.
Sheikha Shamma emphasised the importance of capacity development and knowledge transfer, especially for women and local communities. She stated: "To confront the challenges posed by climate change, we must ensure that communities—especially women and local leaders—are equipped with the knowledge and resources needed to adapt and thrive." Her remarks underscored the role of scientific research in creating scalable solutions for climate adaptation.
The visit included a guided tour of key ICBA facilities such as Date Palm Fields, Forage Fields, the Gene Bank, and the Emirates Soil Museum. These facilities showcase ongoing research projects aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity in challenging environments. The tour highlighted ICBA’s commitment to sustainable practices that strengthen community resilience.
Dr. Tarifa Al Zaabi remarked: "The visit underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing the pressing challenges of climate resilience and sustainable agriculture, both within the UAE and globally." She stressed ICBA's dedication to advancing innovative research aligned with international frameworks like the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
ICBA is focused on empowering women and engaging youth in sustainable agriculture to foster resilient communities. Initiatives discussed included carbon credit systems, biochar production, composting using local resources, and other innovative solutions. These efforts aim to develop future leaders in environmental sustainability.
Strategic Partnerships for Global Impact
The discussions during Sheikha Shamma’s visit highlighted ICBA’s strategic initiatives designed to create scalable models replicable in regions facing similar challenges. By aligning with UAE’s vision for sustainability, ICBA aims to make a lasting impact on farming communities' resilience worldwide.
Moving forward, ICBA plans to continue collaborating with stakeholders to contribute towards a more sustainable future for the UAE and beyond. Their commitment remains strong towards developing research-driven initiatives that promote environmental sustainability on a global scale.
With inputs from WAM
Sign in with Google