FAO Director General praises UAE s efforts in promoting food security

ABU DHABI 15th March 2016 (WAM) -- Director-General of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation Jose Graziano da Silva today praised the UAE's efforts towards supporting food security despite the fact that its agricultural sector is facing challenges like climate and water scarcity.

He was speaking in an interview with WAM at the conclusion of an official visit to the 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 honoured the FAO and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) among other institutions.

The FAO Director-General praised the UAE for providing strong support for innovation and future-oriented trends.

He noted that historically the date palm tree is the source of food and income for people living in the desert. He praised the UAE for promoting knowledge about the tree and the importance of date palm industry which constitutes a cornerstone of the country's future food security.

He also noted that in the emirate of Abu Dhabi home to a historic flourishing date palm agriculture the crucial relationship between sustainable agriculture and the human ability to weather challenges in the desert cannot be mistaken.

In his speech at the International Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation Award ceremony the FAO director-general commended 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.

"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 the 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.

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 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 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 civilisations.

He underscored the 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 Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi the newly-appointed Minister of Climate Change and Environment of the UAE 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 programmes.