H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan celebrates H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as the 2025 Personality of the Year,
H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan celebrates H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as the 2025 Personality of the Year,
Under the generous patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan,
In the presence of H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, and
H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan celebrates H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as the 2025 Personality of the Year,
and honors the Award’s winners, in its 17th session, 2025,
And the launching of the “International Consortium for Red Palm Weevil Control (C4RPWC)”.
H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan:
- We extend our deepest gratitude, utmost respect, and sincere appreciation to His Highness the President of the United Arab Emirates. As we are proud in H.H. pioneering initiatives in supporting the date palm tree and advancing the agricultural sector.
- We highly value the strong support of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to the Award, and H.H. empowerment to it, to consistently serve as a model of excellence, quality, and distinguished global standing.
- H.E. Sheikh Nahayan witnesses the signing of 09 Memorandums of Understanding between the Award and several Ministries of Agriculture and international organizations.
Under the generous patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, Chairman of Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation Board of Trustees, attended the Award’s Winners Honoring ceremony, in its 17th session, on Wednesday, 16th of April, 2025.
The event was held in the presence of H.E. Dr. Abdul Hakim ElWAER, Assistant Director-General of the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa. The opening ceremony was attended by more than 10 ministers and deputy ministers of agriculture from date-producing countries, as well as directors of regional and international organizations. This is in addition to the attendance of a number of members of the diplomatic corps in the UAE, 52 ambassadors from the diplomatic corps, including 34 from the foreign corps, and 18 from the Arab corps, members of the Award’s Board of Trustees, winners and honorees of the Award, and a large number of specialists and those interested in date palm cultivation and production, and agricultural innovation.
We are proud of the Award’s achievements.
His Excellency praised the commitment of H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, “May God protect him”, to agricultural development in the UAE, and in particular, H.H. special attention to the date palm cultivation sector. Under His Highness’s wise leadership, the date palm tree has significantly secured its place as a true symbol of prosperity, that enriches the nation’s journey and stands as a testament to its achievements. On this significant occasion, H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nayahan, extended his profound gratitude, deep respect, and sincere appreciation to His Highness the President of the UAE, “May God protect him”. His Excellency also commended His Highness’s outstanding efforts to ensure that our beloved nation remains a model, a source of inspiration, generosity, and goodwill for all humanity.
His Excellency also extended his sincere thanks to H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, for H.H. generous patronage, and commitment to ensuring that this prestigious international Award serves as a genuine reflection of the nation’s strong interest, both its leaders and people, in advancing agricultural development across the country, and the world, as well as its unwavering commitment to maintaining the UAE’s position as a global leader and pioneer in agricultural innovation.
His Excellency also expressed his pride in Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, which operates under the umbrella of Erth Zayed Philanthropies, Presidential Court. This affiliation evokes in our hearts and minds the legacy of the late founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, “May God bless his soul”, whose visionary leadership laid the foundation for the UAE’s agricultural renaissance. We recall with deep respect H.H. enduring commitment to agricultural development across the country, particularly the special attention extended to the date palm tree, and H.H. guidance in enhancing its cultivation, developing new varieties, and maximizing its economic, social, and human benefits. Under H.H. wise directions, the UAE embraced the latest global research, technologies, and practices, which has resulted in positioned the UAE, at the forefront of agricultural innovation, both regionally and globally.
Personality of the Year
H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, announced H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain, as the 2025 Personality of the Year of Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation. This recognition comes in appreciation and gratitude for His Highness’s dedicated and sincere efforts to develop the date palm sector and expand its reach and impact. His Excellency also honored a number of national and international figures who have contributed significantly to the development and advancement of date palm cultivation and production sector, as follows:
His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Faisal Bin Mishaal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Al Qassim Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Her Excellency Dr. Maitha bint Salem Al Shamsi, Minister of State, United Arab Emirates, Dr. Abdulkareem Mohammed Al Amri, Former President & Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment & Development, His Excellency Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Alzaabi, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Pakistan, and His Excellency Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Ambassador of Pakistan to the United Arab Emirates.
Honoring the Winners of the International Award
H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, honored the winners of Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, in its 17th session, as follows:
The Distinguished Innovative Studies and Modern Technology Category, (Equally won by) Dr. Abdulqader Jighly– SuSTATability Statistical Solutions Company, Australia, and Dr. Khaled Michel Hazzouri, Khalifa Center for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology, UAE, and the Pioneering Development and Productive Projects Category (Equally won by), EDEN Innovations, UAE, and Dr. Nawaf Salem Alhajeri, Kuwait University, for the Pioneering and Sophisticated Innovations Serving the Agricultural Sector Category, won by SPOTTA Company, United Kingdom, as for the Distinguished Producers, Manufacturers and Marketers Category (Equally won by), Mr. Khamis Mohammed Khamis Freih Al-Qubaisi, UAE, and Eng. Benaoun, Gadri Mohammed, Republic of Tunisia, and as for the Influential Figure in the Field of Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation Category (Equally won by), Dr. Ghulam Sarwar Markhand, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and Dr. Sherif Fathy Ali Ibrahim El-Sharbasi, Arab Republic of Egypt.
The International Consortium for Red Palm Weevil Control (C4RPWC)
H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, also announced the launch of the “International Consortium for Red Palm Weevil Control (C4RPWC)’, with the support of the International Affairs Office (IAO) of at the Presidential Court, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and in close collaboration with the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, as well as the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), United Arab Emirates University, and the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority.This Consortium represents a timely response to the recommendations of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) and aims to enhance the economic, cultural, and social value of the date palm tree. It also seeks to offer environmentally friendly solutions that contribute to achieving sustainable development worldwide.
International Recognition of the UAE’s Efforts
In his remarks, H.E. Dr. Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), delivered on his behalf by H.E. Dr. Abdul Hakim Elwaer, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa (FAO-RNE), stating that the economic transformation in recent years has led to an intensification of date palm cultivation, and a rapid increase in the international trade of dates. The Arab region holds the majority of the world’s date cultivation and production areas. Since 2013, in just over a decade, date production in North Africa has increased from 3.08 million tons to 4.3 million tons, a growth of approximately 23%.
This increase is largely attributed to the expansion of cultivated area, which grew from 0.37 million hectares to 0.47 million hectares, according to FAO statistics. During the same period, the volume of date exports from the region has nearly doubled, also based on FAO data.
Award’s Achievements
The ceremony also featured a short presentation highlighting the accomplishments of the Award, over the past eighteen years in the field of date palm cultivation (2007–2025). Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation has significantly contributed to the development and advancement of date palm cultivation and production at the national, regional, and international levels. These achievements have been made possible thanks to the guidance and support of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, the continuous support of H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, Chairman of the Award’s Board of Trustees, and the close supervision of .H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Erth Zayed Philanthropies. Together, they have launched a range of developmental initiatives and projects, aimed at strengthening food security.
Signing of 09 Memoranda of Understanding
H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, Chairman of the Award’s Board of Trustees, witnessed the signing of 09 memoranda of understanding, 2025, with several agriculture ministers and directors of regional and international organizations from various countries. These agreements aim to enhance cooperation between the Award’s General Secretariat, and regional and international organizations, to contribute to the development and advancement of date palm cultivation, production, and agricultural innovation, at the national, regional, and international levels. The signed agreements include a Memorandum of Understanding with ADNEC Center, regarding the organization of the 11th Abu Dhabi Date Palm Exhibition, and with the Ministry of Agriculture of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, regarding the organization of the Seventh Jordan International Date Palm Festival, 2025, and with the Federal Ministry for National Food Security & Research, The Islamic Republic of Pakistan, regarding the organizing the 2nd Pakistan International Date Palm Festival, and with the Ministry of Agriculture of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, regarding the organization of the Fourth Mauritania International Date Palm Festival, 2025, and with the Ministry of Agriculture, of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, regarding the organization of the First Ethiopia International Date Palm Festival, 2025, and two MOU’s with the Global Crop Diversity Trust (Crop Trust), on the « UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Status for Mejhoul Date Palm Variety », and the « International Day of Date Palm », and finally, Letter of Intent was signed between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and a group of national institutions and a group of regional and international organizations, regarding the organization of the 8th International Date Palm Conference, 2026.
Launching of Seven Scientific Publications
H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, also witnessed the launching of seven scientific books published by the General Secretariat of Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation. These publications include: « Mejhoul: The Jewel of Dates » in Indonesian language, this important book has previously been published in four other languages: English, Arabic, French, and Spanish, and is now available in Indonesian, « Organic Agriculture » in English; « Food Industries Based on Dates » in Arabic; « Date Palm Cultivation in Mexico » in Spanish language; and « Date Palm Cultivation » in both Arabic and English, and the “Glossary of Biotechnology Terms in Food and Agriculture” in collaboration with the esteemed Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The book launching ceremony took place in the presence of respective authors.
About the Erth Zayed Philanthropies
The Erth Zayed Philanthropies Foundation was established in November 2024, by federal decree to enhance the UAE’s global charitable efforts, under the generous patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, the Foundation carries forward the legacy of generosity instilled by the late founding father of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. It is chaired by H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs, Chairman of the International Council for Humanitarian and Philanthropic Work. The Foundation oversees a portfolio of charitable institutions and awards across various sectors, aiming to deliver transformative impact to communities in need around the world.
