
Mansour bin Zayed visits Liwa Date Festival, stresses importance of supporting farmers in enhancing food security
LIWA (WAM)His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, today visited the 21st Liwa Date Festival in Liwa City, Al Dhafra Region.The festival - organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority under the patronage of His Highness - considered one of the most prominent agricultural and heritage festivals in the UAE. The event reaffirms the Authority's commitment to celebrating one of the UAE's most enduring cultural and agricultural traditions.During his tour, His Highness reviewed several pavilions of government and private entities showcasing their services and innovations in the agricultural sector. He also listened to explanations about the festival's various competitions and activities, which highlight the social and economic value of the palm tree and its products. The event also underscores the tree's contribution to food security and the enhancement of agricultural sustainability.His Highness Sheikh Mansour emphasised that the agriculture and food production sector is witnessing significant growth in the UAE, thanks to the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and his continuous support for empowering farmers, producers, and manufacturers to ensure sustainable food production and strengthen national food security.His Highness affirmed that the festival reflects the Emirati citizen's deep connection with the land and reinforces national identity by celebrating the palm tree as a cultural symbol. Supporting local agriculture and empowering farmers contributes to a balanced economic distribution and sustainable development aligned with the national goal of achieving food self-sufficiency.His Highness also praised the festival's role in boosting economic activity in the Al Dhafra Region by attracting thousands of visitors annually and serving as a platform that brings together farmers, experts, and pioneers in the agricultural industries—cementing the agricultural sector as a vital contributor to the national economy.Accompanying His Highness on the tour were Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, and several officials from the authority.The Liwa Date Festival features numerous competitions with total prizes exceeding AED 8.7 million. It includes a range of heritage activities that aim to preserve the legacy and status of the palm tree as a symbol of the past and a blessing of the present. It also strengthens family and community bonds, ensures intergenerational continuity, and promotes values of cooperation, belonging, and cultural heritage preservation—supporting the goals of the UAE's 'Year of the Community.'
The festival also plays a vital role in supporting the local community and productive families in the region through the traditional market, which includes stalls for selling fresh dates, date products, palm-related items, factories, and nurseries. It also hosts pavilions of participating sponsors and supporters.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Sharjah 24
9 hours ago
- Sharjah 24
Mansour bin Zayed visits Liwa Date Festival
The festival - organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority under the patronage of His Highness - considered one of the most prominent agricultural and heritage festivals in the UAE. The event reaffirms the Authority's commitment to celebrating one of the UAE's most enduring cultural and agricultural traditions. During his tour, His Highness reviewed several pavilions of government and private entities showcasing their services and innovations in the agricultural sector. He also listened to explanations about the festival's various competitions and activities, which highlight the social and economic value of the palm tree and its products. The event also underscores the tree's contribution to food security and the enhancement of agricultural sustainability. His Highness Sheikh Mansour emphasised that the agriculture and food production sector is witnessing significant growth in the UAE, thanks to the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and his continuous support for empowering farmers, producers, and manufacturers to ensure sustainable food production and strengthen national food security. He affirmed that the festival reflects the Emirati citizen's deep connection with the land and reinforces national identity by celebrating the palm tree as a cultural symbol. Supporting local agriculture and empowering farmers contributes to a balanced economic distribution and sustainable development aligned with the national goal of achieving food self-sufficiency. His Highness also praised the festival's role in boosting economic activity in the Al Dhafra Region by attracting thousands of visitors annually and serving as a platform that brings together farmers, experts, and pioneers in the agricultural industries—cementing the agricultural sector as a vital contributor to the national economy. Accompanying His Highness on the tour were Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, and several officials from the authority. The Liwa Date Festival features numerous competitions with total prizes exceeding AED 8.7 million. It includes a range of heritage activities that aim to preserve the legacy and status of the palm tree as a symbol of the past and a blessing of the present. It also strengthens family and community bonds, ensures intergenerational continuity, and promotes values of cooperation, belonging, and cultural heritage preservation—supporting the goals of the UAE's 'Year of the Community.' The festival also plays a vital role in supporting the local community and productive families in the region through the traditional market, which includes stalls for selling fresh dates, date products, palm-related items, factories, and nurseries. It also hosts pavilions of participating sponsors and supporters.


Al Etihad
10 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Mansour bin Zayed visits Liwa Date Festival, stresses importance of supporting farmers in enhancing food security
14 July 2025 23:18 LIWA (WAM)His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, today visited the 21st Liwa Date Festival in Liwa City, Al Dhafra festival - organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority under the patronage of His Highness - considered one of the most prominent agricultural and heritage festivals in the UAE. The event reaffirms the Authority's commitment to celebrating one of the UAE's most enduring cultural and agricultural his tour, His Highness reviewed several pavilions of government and private entities showcasing their services and innovations in the agricultural sector. He also listened to explanations about the festival's various competitions and activities, which highlight the social and economic value of the palm tree and its products. The event also underscores the tree's contribution to food security and the enhancement of agricultural Highness Sheikh Mansour emphasised that the agriculture and food production sector is witnessing significant growth in the UAE, thanks to the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and his continuous support for empowering farmers, producers, and manufacturers to ensure sustainable food production and strengthen national food Highness affirmed that the festival reflects the Emirati citizen's deep connection with the land and reinforces national identity by celebrating the palm tree as a cultural symbol. Supporting local agriculture and empowering farmers contributes to a balanced economic distribution and sustainable development aligned with the national goal of achieving food Highness also praised the festival's role in boosting economic activity in the Al Dhafra Region by attracting thousands of visitors annually and serving as a platform that brings together farmers, experts, and pioneers in the agricultural industries—cementing the agricultural sector as a vital contributor to the national His Highness on the tour were Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, and several officials from the Liwa Date Festival features numerous competitions with total prizes exceeding AED 8.7 million. It includes a range of heritage activities that aim to preserve the legacy and status of the palm tree as a symbol of the past and a blessing of the present. It also strengthens family and community bonds, ensures intergenerational continuity, and promotes values of cooperation, belonging, and cultural heritage preservation—supporting the goals of the UAE's 'Year of the Community.' The festival also plays a vital role in supporting the local community and productive families in the region through the traditional market, which includes stalls for selling fresh dates, date products, palm-related items, factories, and nurseries. It also hosts pavilions of participating sponsors and supporters.


Al Etihad
12 hours ago
- Al Etihad
RTA observes Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport field tests in China
14 July 2025 22:09 BEIJING (WAM)A technical team from Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has observed comprehensive field tests on consortia competing in the 4th Edition of the Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport 2025, which offers a total prize pool of USD $3 million. The trials were conducted across four cities in China, using real-world road environments to evaluate their further details on the visit, Ahmed Hashem Bahrozyan, CEO of the Public Transport Agency, Head of the Organising Committee of the Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport, said: 'The technical team's visit to China focused on four key objectives:1. Conducting comprehensive field tests on the self-driving vehicles developed by the participating consortia in the 2025 Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport. These trials are intended to assess both technical and operational performance in realistic and controlled environments, ensuring alignment with the Challenge's criteria and international safety standards.2. Gaining in-depth insights into the capabilities of each participating company through direct observation of their technologies and solutions. This approach supports the overall evaluation and provides a clearer understanding of the current potential of each autonomous system.3. Visiting the headquarters, factories, and control centres of the participating companies to develop a deeper understanding of their operational environments, technical support systems, and internal processes. These visits also aim to establish long-term strategic relationships and foster mutual trust, paving the way for potential future partnerships in Dubai's smart mobility initiatives.4. Defining the next steps of the Challenge by reviewing outcomes of field tests and assessing the readiness of the participating solutions for deployment in the Emirate of Dubai.'Bahrozyan added: 'The field visits to the headquarters of the participating consortia in the Challenge were conducted across four Chinese cities: Guangzhou, Xi'an, Guiyang, and Suzhou. These visits were part of a comprehensive evaluation process led by RTA's technical team, comprising of nine members, in collaboration with the advisory jury panel with the support of both FEV Consulting and Arthur D. Little, alongside other specialized experts in autonomous transport.'A total of five autonomous vehicles from various categories were selected for testing. These included a Robotaxi, two Robobuses, a Roboboat, and an autonomous logistics vehicle. The evaluations were carried out using objective assessment methodologies and high-precision measurement tools, with direct monitoring and observation by RTA's technical team and members of the jury developed a dedicated field-testing methodology for the participating vehicles in the Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport 2025. Tests were categorized into three main types: Standstill Tests (Limited Vehicle Movement): These tests focused on evaluating system performance while the vehicle remained assessments included sensor coverage, blind spot detection, verification of safety and emergency features, and mobile application. Each vehicle underwent five tests in this Traffic Tests (On-Public-Road Driving): These tests assessed vehicle performance in real-world traffic conditions on public roads. The evaluations covered key capabilities such as speed adaptation, overtaking, handling traffic signals and roundabouts. For autonomous marine transport, the tests focused on boat detection and navigation within port environments. Each land vehicle underwent 17 tests, while each marine vehicle completed 6 tests in this Tests (Controlled Environment): These tests focused on specific scenarios to assess vehicle performance in controlled conditions. The scenarios included the continuous user journey, interaction with pedestrians and other road users, stop-and-go functionality, and remote operation capabilities. Each land vehicle underwent three tests, while each marine and logistics vehicle completed seven tests in this parallel, RTA is organizing the 4th Edition of the Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport 2025, under the theme 'Redefining Mobility: The Path to Autonomy.' The event will be held from 24 to 25 September, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Chairman of the Executive Council of congress is the first of its kind globally, serving as a premier platform that brings together leading experts in the field of autonomous transport. Participants include policymakers, technology developers, researchers, and academics specialising in autonomous mobility and related disciplines. The event aims to accelerate the transition to smart, self-driving mobility, supporting Dubai's strategic objective of transforming 25% of all trips into smart and autonomous journeys by 2030.