@FAO - FAO DG at the inaugural session of the Khalifa International Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation Award

15 March 2016, Abu Dhabi - FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva today wrapped up an official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where he participated in the eighth session of the Khalifa International Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation Award and held a series of talks with counterparts from the region.
This year’s Khalifa Award launching ceremony honored institutions, first and foremost FAO and IFAD.
Speaking at the award ceremony, the FAO Director-General praised the UAE for their strong support of innovation and future oriented trends.

“FAO is proud to partner with the Khalifa International Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation Award, a major initiative that highlights the importance of the date palm beyond the oases of the UAE”, Graziano da Silva said.

“While we at FAO are looking for new products to feed the hungry and help farmers to overcome poverty and face the challenges imposed by climate change, we see the date palm tree as a global model of resilience, and as a product with a glorious past and a promising future”, he added.

Commending the UAE for attaching great importance to the agricultural sector, he pointed out that FAO is at the forefront of assisting the country in its pioneering role in managing energy, water and food resources for sustainable growth and in adapting and mitigating climate change. Unlocking the potential of protected agriculture to cut water use in the region is one important area for innovation.

Stronger bilateral relations with the region

During his two-day visit the FAO Director – General met with national authorities to discuss a range of topics that define the close partnership between FAO and the UAE as well as ways to boost bilateral ties.
Moreover, Graziano da Silva met with Sheikh Faleh Al Thani, Qatar’s Assistant Undersecretary for Agricultural Affairs, fisheries and livestock. He congratulated him on the progress made by the state of Qatar in the fight against hunger. The two officials also discussed FAO-Qatar cooperation and their readiness to continue the collaboration on related projects such as the agro-cluster initiative, fisheries, capacity building and training as well as the need to identify adequate contractual mechanisms for future programs.
During his meeting with H.H Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, the newly appointed UAE Minister of State for Tolerance, Graziano da Silva noted the central role of food as a bridge among civilizations and underscored FAO’s commitment to collaborate with the Ministry of tolerance within the context of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC).
During his meeting with H.E. Thani El Zeyoudi, the newly appointed Minister of Climate Change and Environment, the FAO Director General went on to congratulate him for becoming the first minister of climate change and environment in the region, leadership reflection of the UAE’s forward-looking vision. He referred to the assistance provided by FAO to its members in reaching the SDGs.
Graziano da Silva reiterated FAO’s readiness to support any activities which could help the minister succeed in combatting climate change, including pilot projects or full scale programs.