Liwa Date Festival advances food security in UAE: Nahyan
Organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, the festival serves as a prominent platform celebrating the cultural and economic significance of palm cultivation, while promoting the quality of local produce.
Sheikh Nahyan affirmed that the Liwa Date Festival encourages farmers to invest more in their farms, diversify crops by growing palm and fruit trees, and contributes to advancing food security and sustainable agriculture in the UAE.
This focus on palm cultivation stems from the legacy established by the founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who placed agriculture-particularly palm cultivation-at the heart of the country's development. He prioritised supporting farmers and empowering them with the tools of production as a strategic pillar for environmental preservation and achieving food self-sufficiency.
These events embody the spirit of comprehensive development witnessed by the UAE under the wise leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who places great importance on the agricultural and environmental heritage and supports national initiatives that cement the symbolic and economic value of palm trees.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, the festival underscores his commitment to supporting farmers, enhancing agricultural sustainability, and fostering local economic development.
During his tour, Sheikh Nahyan reviewed the festival's daily activities and competitions held for farmers and visitors, including wide participation from government and private entities, date vendors, palm sapling nurseries, agricultural supply stores, and booths for productive families in the traditional market.
The festival also includes a women's elegance and heritage corner, a crafts zone, a children's area, as well as lectures and specialised workshops targeting farmers and the public.
He also visited the pavilions of participating and supporting entities, including: the Court of the Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, Department of Energy, Serah Group, Tadweer Group, Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, Al Ghadeer UAE Crafts, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Al Foah (part of Agthia Group), Al Dhafra Municipality, Al Ain Municipality, Al Dhafra Hospitals (SEHA), Abu Dhabi Media Network, Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council, 'Faseelah' app, Abu Dhabi Housing Authority, Abu Dhabi Police, Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority, Judicial Department, and other public and private sector entities.
Sheikh Nahyan was accompanied by Major General Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, along with a number of officials and dignitaries.
At the conclusion of his tour, Sheikh Nahyan expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to the organising and supporting entities, particularly the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, for their outstanding efforts in showcasing this important cultural and economic event.
Recently, the Abu Dhabi Housing Authority participated in the 21st edition of the Liwa Date Festival, currently underway in Liwa City, Al Dhafra, until July 27.
The participation reflects the authority's commitment to strengthening community engagement and ensuring that citizens have direct access to information on available housing services.
The festival offers a platform for the authority to showcase its latest digital solutions and smart services designed to enhance the customer journey and improve the overall quality of services provided.
Through its pavilion, the authority is engaging directly with citizens to respond to enquiries, gather feedback, and offer guidance on various housing programmes, initiatives and procedures.
Visitors to the pavilion can explore the 'Iskan Abu Dhabi' application, a comprehensive digital platform that enables users to access and track housing services without the need to visit service centres.
WAM
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
7 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE, Jordan planes drop 25 tonnes of aid over Gaza as hundreds die from starvation
Two Jordanian and one Emirati plane dropped 25 tonnes of humanitarian aid over the Gaza Strip on Sunday, the Jordanian army said in a statement. "The Jordanian Armed Forces on Sunday carried out three air drops on the Gaza Strip carrying humanitarian and food aid, one of which was with the United Arab Emirates," the statement said, adding that they were carrying 25 tonnes of aid. On Saturday, July 26, UAE's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan confirmed the Emirates would immediately resume airdrop operations to Gaza as part of its ongoing humanitarian mission. In a statement posted, the minister said the humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached a critical and unprecedented level, underscoring the urgent need for sustained international aid efforts. Israeli army had said a day earlier that Israel would allow foreign countries to parachute aid into Gaza starting on Friday. Meanwhile, the Israeli military announced a pause in military activity in designated areas in Gaza where it is 'not operating' today. It said that the pause will be daily in three areas of Gaza starting on Sunday, starting at 10am and lasting until 8pm.
The National
13 hours ago
- The National
UAE to resume airdrops to Gaza immediately as aid routes open up
The UAE is to resume air drops to Gaza to help the most vulnerable people after restrictions on aid routes into the enclave were lifted. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, said the UAE was responding to a humanitarian situation that had reached a critical and unprecedented level. Since Israel cut off supplies to the territory in March, starvation has claimed the lives of more than 100 people, the Gaza Health Ministry said. On social media, Sheikh Abdullah said the UAE would lead relief efforts alongside Jordan and the UK, that has also been permitted to resume air drops into Gaza. 'Our commitment to alleviating suffering and providing support is resolute and unwavering,' he said. 'The humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached a critical and unprecedented level. The United Arab Emirates remains at the forefront of efforts to deliver life-saving assistance to the Palestinian people. 'We will ensure essential aid reaches those most in need, whether through land, air or sea. "Air drops are resuming once more, immediately.' Up until last year, the UAE dropped thousands of tonnes of humanitarian aid, food and relief supplies into Gaza as part of the country's Birds of Goodness operation. According to the Co-ordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, the life-saving airdrops will be delivered in partnership with the Israeli military. Gaza's 2.1 million inhabitants have been left starving with severe restrictions on humanitarian aid and commercial deliveries. UN nutrition screenings of 15,000 children in Gaza city in July assessed more than 16 per cent of the population as being acutely malnourished, above the 15 per cent threshold the UN uses for famine declarations. It is a rapidly deteriorating situation, with just 4 per cent considered acutely malnourished in February. A total blockade on humanitarian aid has been in place since March 2 after ceasefire talks collapsed. Meanwhile, the Israeli army said it carried out an airdrop of humanitarian aid 'in accordance with the directives of the political echelon'. An aid ship left the UAE from Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi to deliver 7,166 tonnes of supplies for Gaza this month under Operation Gallant Knight 3. The Khalifa will deliver 4,372 tonnes of food, 1,433 tonnes of shelter materials, 860 tonnes of medical supplies and 501 tonnes of health supplies to Al Arish Port in Egypt. Since the humanitarian crisis emerged in Gaza, the UAE has sent 77,266 tonnes of aid supplies to help those most in need.
Gulf Today
a day ago
- Gulf Today
Foreign ambassadors visit Liwa Date Festival
A delegation of foreign ambassadors accredited to the UAE visited the 21st edition of the Liwa Date Festival, currently taking place in Liwa City, Al Dhafra Region, and running until 27th July, organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority. The delegation included Dana Goldfinca, Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia to the UAE; Maria Belovas, Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia to the UAE; Natalia Mansour, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to the UAE; Luis Miguel Merlano Hoyos, Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia to the UAE, and Lutfullah Goktas, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to the UAE, accompanied by several diplomats. The ambassadors toured various pavilions of government and private departments participating in the festival, where they were introduced to a wide range of services, technologies, and lectures related to the agricultural sector. The delegation also visited the date market, the heritage souq, the handicrafts pavilion and the competition areas for dates and fruits. The ambassadors explored displays featuring traditional and agricultural products, date palm-based industries, and the latest agricultural technologies, particularly in palm cultivation. They expressed their delight in visiting the festival and gaining insight into the UAE's rich cultural heritage Recently, Martina Strong, Ambassador of the United States of America to the United Arab Emirates, praised the 21st Liwa Dates Festival. During her visit to the festival, Ambassador Strong expressed her deep admiration for the distinguished event, which offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore dates and the diverse products derived from the palm tree. She noted that the experience provided her with valuable insight into traditional crafts and local cuisine. WAM
