Launch of the “Third Abu Dhabi Declaration 2026”
To promote international cooperation to eradicate the red palm weevil
A new ministerial and international commitment to protect date palms and enhance global food security
Abu Dhabi 29th April(News Desk):: It was announced in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, that “ Abu Dhabi Declaration III 2026 on Enhancing International Cooperation to Eliminate the Red Palm Weevil” “ This took place during the proceedings of the third ministerial meeting of date-producing and processing countries, with the participation of Their Excellencies the Ministers of Agriculture, heads of international organizations, and heads of delegations from various countries concerned with the palm and date sector. .
The announcement, which was launched following the high-level ministerial meeting held on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi, is an extension of what was achieved through the first Abu Dhabi Declaration of 2019 and the second Abu Dhabi Declaration of 2024, reflecting the continued international momentum and growing collective commitment to confronting the red palm weevil, which is one of the most dangerous transboundary pests threatening the sustainability of the date palm sector globally. .
The participants in the declaration affirmed the strategic importance of the date palm as a cornerstone of food security and economic and social stability in arid and semi-arid regions, and as an integral element of the cultural and civilizational heritage of the peoples of the Middle East, North Africa, and many other parts of the world. They also emphasized the vital role that oases and date palm cultivation systems play in protecting biodiversity, promoting environmental sustainability, and supporting the livelihoods of rural communities. .
His Excellency Professor Dr. Abdul Wahab Al-Bukhari Zayed, Secretary-General of the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, affiliated with the Zayed Humanitarian Legacy Foundation, praised the leading role played by the United Arab Emirates, through the Office of International Affairs of the Presidential Court and its national institutions, in leading, coordinating and supporting international efforts within the International Coalition to Combat the Red Palm Weevil, in cooperation with the Gates Foundation and a number of national and international partners, including the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, and the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). .
The “Abu Dhabi Declaration III 2026” included ten key pillars, most notably renewing the full commitment to strengthening international cooperation for the integrated management and gradual eradication of the red palm weevil, supporting the implementation of the international strategy to combat the pest, and expanding the use of advanced scientific solutions including biological control, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, remote sensing, smart traps, and early warning systems. .
The declaration also called for increased investment in applied scientific research and agricultural innovation, the development of capacity-building and technical training programs for national personnel, and the involvement of farmers and local communities in control efforts through awareness, agricultural extension, and knowledge transfer. .
On the financing side, the declaration called on international financial institutions and donors to strengthen their support for the International Trust Fund for Red Palm Weevil Control, ensuring the sustainability of implementation programs and expanding their impact globally. .
The participants emphasized that protecting the date palm is a global collective responsibility, given its strategic importance for food security, sustainable development, and human agricultural heritage.In closing, the participants expressed their deep appreciation to the wise leadership of the United Arab Emirates for its continued support of the date palm sector and for hosting this important ministerial meeting, which reflects a renewed international commitment to protecting this blessed tree and promoting its sustainable future. -END-
