Global Date Trade Hub Convenes in UAE to Bolster Arid-Land Food Security

ABU DHABI — The 12th edition of the Abu Dhabi Dates Exhibition opened on Tuesday, 6 October, featuring 95 pavilions from 12 countries at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). The event, held under the patronage of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, serves as a central hub for the global date palm value chain, spanning production, processing, and agricultural technology. Global participation and trade Organised by the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation in cooperation with ADNEC Group, the exhibition hosts participants from the UAE, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, Mauritania, Palestine, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Tunisia, Mexico, Oman, and Türkiye. The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) is also represented, facilitating knowledge transfer in arid-land farming techniques. Dr Abdul Wahab Al Bukhari Zayed, Secretary-General of the Khalifa International Award, stated that the event has evolved from a simple product showcase into a professional gathering focusing on the entire export and packaging ecosystem. The 12th edition coincides with World Food Week and the Abu Dhabi International Food Exhibition, integrating date producers into the broader global food security framework. Focus on food security The timing of the exhibition responds to rapid transformations in the global food sector, specifically regarding resource efficiency and climate change.…