Khalifa Award Joins Forces With Mexico For International Date Palm Festival

The General Secretariat of Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation has recently entered into a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the United Mexican States. This collaboration is set to bring about the Third Mexico International Date Palm Festival, slated for the 19th to 22nd of October 2024. The agreement was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in a remote ceremony, connecting officials from both countries.

The event saw the participation of notable figures including Luis Alfonso De Alba Gongora, the Ambassador of Mexico to the UAE; Sultan Al-Taie, representing the UAE Embassy in Mexico; Santiago José Arguello Campos, General Coordinator of Mexico's Agriculture, and Dr. Abdelouahhab Zaid, Secretary-General of Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation. The ceremony was hosted at the Ministry of Agriculture in Mexico and the Award’s General Secretariat Head Office in Abu Dhabi.

Ambassador Gongora took the opportunity to commend the UAE for its leading role in advancing date palm cultivation and date production on multiple fronts. He emphasized how this partnership is poised to strengthen ties between Mexico and the UAE, focusing on mutual goals such as enhancing food security and promoting sustainable development.

Dr. Abdelouahhab Zaid shared insights into the significance of this MoU. He attributed the international recognition of the Award to the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court. Additionally, he acknowledged Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Chairman of the Award's Board of Trustees, for his ongoing support. According to Dr. Zaid, these efforts have cemented the Award’s status as a premier global platform for fostering partnerships within the date palm sector.

This collaboration marks a significant milestone in international agricultural relations, showcasing a shared commitment to agricultural innovation and sustainability. The Third Mexico International Date Palm Festival is anticipated to be a pivotal event, further enhancing cooperation between Mexico and the UAE in agricultural development and innovation.

With inputs from WAM