Dr. Abdelouahhab Zaid:

• This wining coincides with the UAE Sustainability Year 2023, and the COP28 conference.
• The book was published by the General Secretariat of Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation.
• 46 contributors from international entities and organizations did contribute to this report, representing 21 countries.
• The book was first launched at the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26), at the UAE pavilion.
• The book focused on the importance of the role played by the palm tree in reducing the effects of climate change.
• The book won an intense competition, among 3,578 projects participating in the Award.
• The jury committee consists of 132 expert members, representing 20 countries, in addition to the Jury Board Members, consisting of 9 chairmen.
• “Bridging Boundaries“ focuses on the mechanism of regional cooperation to transform the date palm industry into a successful model to support the national economy, according to the circular economy methodology.
• The book provides a framework for addressing major climate change issues such as carbon dioxide emissions, biodiversity, desertification, drought, and land degradation, with date palm tree at the heart of the climate revolution.

Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation won the international (iF DESIGN AWARD) in Germany, for its international scientific report entitled ‘‘ The Khalifa Award  Report- Bridging Borders-". The book won the best design category, for the year 2023, following the decision of the resepcted jury committee, consisting of 132 expert members, representing 20 countries. In addition to the Jury Board Members, consisting of 9 committee chairmen, in an intense competition, among approximately 3,578 participating projects.

This was confirmed by Dr. Abdelouahhab Zaid, Secretary General of Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, praising the support of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Presidential Court, and the continious follow-up of H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, Chairman of the Award’s Board of Trustees, and that this win coincides with the UAE’s Year of Sustainability, 2023.

It is noteworthy that the international iF Design Award (iF) is considered one of the most important design awards in the world, and is based in Hanover, Germany. It dates back to 1954, when the Award was recognized as the most famous body that judges excellent designs and honors its owners from across the world. Whether product design, packaging, communication, services, architecture and interior engineering as well as professional concept, user experience (UX) and user interface (UI).Where all Award Winning entries can be viewed at www.ifdesign.com

The Award’s Secretary General also referred to the growing importance of the date palm tree worldwide, and in the Middle East and North Africa region in particular, for the role that the date palm can play in the equation of food security, sustainable development and climate change, as the book was framed within five main axes:

1. People: Scale up the restoration of date palm ecosystems to alleviate poverty, to ensure food security and to see date palm as a holistic developmental solution
2. Planet: Implement transboundary adaptation programs focused on date palm oasis restoration, to enhance its full environmental, economic, and social potential
3. Prosperity: Focus on new jobs across all sectors with a diversity of skills from manual labor, to intermediate technology to the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This will help to ensure that all human beings can enjoy prosperous and fulfilling lives and that economic, social, and technological progress occurs in harmony with nature
4. Peace: Use climate action, the UNFCCC system, Agenda 2030, and other global frameworks to scale up oases’ restoration, prevent degradation and foster sustainable urbanization for regional security
5. Partnership: Create an enabling environment for new policies at the regional, national and local government levels for the implementation of SDG 11.A to “Support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning”.

This forms the Sustainable Development Plan, approved by the United Nations 2030. The report is an invitation to recognize the importance of the date palm tree, and its use as a starting point for bringing positive change for both people and the planet, across many sectors. The book mainly focuses on the mechanism of regional cooperation to transform the date palm industry to a successful model to support the national economy according to the circular economy methodology.

Dr. Abdelouahhab Zaid added that the date palm tree is a guarantee for sustainable living, and it is the key to a more sustainable world. By preserving and growing date palm trees, we can overcome environmental, social and economical challenges, as each date palm tree can absorb about 200 kilograms of carbon dioxide annually. This means that 100 million trees in the Middle East and North Africa region has the capacity to absorb about 28.7 megatons of carbon dioxide annually. Dr. Zaid then added that this report offers us an opportunity to rebuild our society and our economies, as it is more than just a glimmer of hope. 46 contributors from international entities and organizations did contribute to this report, representing 21 countries, including adaptation experts such as Dr. Youssef Nassef, Director of Adaptation Program UNFCCC, as it provides a framework to tackle the major climate change issues: CO2 emissions, biodiversity, desertification, drought and land degradation, with date palm at the very heart of the climate revolution.

As for the chances of a post-pandemic green recovery: The book reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic has shown that there are unresolved pre-pandemic challenges involving the national food security of individual countries during national lockdowns. Therefore, the pursuit of a self-sustaining development model serves the health of the planet as well as the human health. To achieve this, regional and international cooperation will be crucial, in line with SDG 17, which aims to strengthen international cooperation when implementing sustainable initiatives. As a result, we urge governments and industry leaders around the world to read the report, work together and take appropriate action that will fundamentally save lives, livelihoods and our planet.

Date palm trees, due to their genetic diversity, are resistant to extreme weather conditions such as heat, drought and floods, which can lead to lower harvest yields and degradation of natural resources, especially in low-income countries. When managed sustainably, date palm ecosystems are vital in reversing desertification in desert regions, as they provide habitat, shade, and protection from wind and heat for other species. As this is a major goal of the United Nations from establishing the Convention to Combat Desertification, where date palm trees can also play a major role in reducing the number of people facing food insecurity around the world.