Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation General Secretariat signed with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in the United Mexican States, a joint cooperation protocol for organizing the Second Mexico International Date Palm Festival, during the period from 04th – 07th of November, 2023. The signing ceremony took place at the UAE Embassy in Mexico City, on Tuesday 06th of June, 2023, in the presence of H.E. Dr. Victor Manuel Villalobos, Minister of Agriculture, United Mexican States, H.E. Mr. Ahmed Al Menhali, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Mexico, H.E. Mr. Santiago Argüello Campos, Coordinator General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Mexico, and Dr. Abdelouahhab Zaid, Secretary General of Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation.

H.E. Dr. Victor Manuel Villalobos, Minister of Agriculture, United Mexican States, praised the UAE’s great efforts and the ongoing support of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Presidential Court, in the development of the date palm cultivation, production, processing and marketing sectors, nationally, regionally and internationally. H.E. also stressed on the good relationship between the UAE and Mexico, while highlighting the continuity of ensuring that the agri-food sector has a positive impact towards obtaining a better life in both the UAE and Mexico, as well as the world’s food security.

H.E. Villalobos also noted that both the United Mexican States and the United Arab Emirates have taken upon themselves the task of strengthening relations in various sectors, where Agri-food was one of the key sectors, as it has been one of the most dynamic in recent years, thanks to the efforts of H.E. Mr. Ahmed Al Menhali, UAE Ambassador to Mexico.  Where he stressed on the fact that the signing of this new memorandum to organize the Second Mexico International Date Palm Festival, 2023, is with the full support of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Presidential Court, and which is very important, as this festival in Mexico is the first festival to be held outside the MENA region, which increases our pride and satisfaction.

H.E. Mr. Santiago Argüello Campos, Coordinator General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Mexico, also welcomed the respected attendees, praising the leading position achieved by the UAE in the development of the date palm cultivation and date production sector, nationally, regionally and internationally, and which reflects the importance cooperation channels between both countries, to enhance food security and achieve sustainable development.

H.E. Mr. Ahmed Al Menhali, UAE Ambassador to Mexico, expressed his pleasure that the UAE’s Embassy in Mexico hosted the signing of the Cooperation Protocol, between the General Secretariat of Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, and the Mexican Ministry of Agriculture, to organize the Second Mexico International Date Palm Festival, 2023. This reflects the significant relationship between both countries, and the great efforts exerted to the ensure the development of various sectors, especially food security. As we seek to sign a Cooperation Protocol in this regard soon, which will be a tangible support in the developing cooperation.

H.E. Al Menhali congratulated Mexico again on hosting the First Mexico International Date Palm Festival last year, which we were honored to have Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation as the official sponsor and contributor to such event. It was of great pleasure also to witness the MOU signing between the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of the United Mexican States and Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, based on the existing friendly relationship between both two countries, and the importance of agriculture, agricultural innovation and research related to the development of the date palm sector, as well as consolidating and deepening bilateral cooperation and promoting agricultural development in both countries.

From his side, Dr. Abdelouahhab Zaid, Award’s Secretary General, added that this protocol comes to confirm the international credibility achieved by the Award, thanks to the guidance and support of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Presidential Court, and the close follow-up of H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, Chairman of the Award’s Board of Trustees, as the largest international platform for building partnerships related to the development of the date palm cultivation and production sector nationally, regionally and internationally.