With the attendance of 75 experts and specialists in the Date Palm cultivation sector, and representing 15 countries.

Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation General Secretariat, organized a scientific virtual lecture on the “The “Sustainable Oasis” initiative, a role model for adapting to climate change”, presented by H.E. Eng. Mohamed Bachri, Director of Strategy and Cooperation at the National Agency for the Development of Oasis and Argan Regions, in the Kingdom of Morocco, on Monday 07^th of June, 2021, with the attendance of 75 experts and specialists in the Date Palm cultivation sector, and representing 15 Arab countries. Dr. Abdelouahhab Zaid, Award’s Secretary General, noted that this virtual lecture comes under the directives of H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, Chairman of the Award’s Board of Trustees, and within the Award’s framework and commitment to spread the scientific knowledge and awareness specialized in date palm cultivation production.

From his side, H.E. Eng. Mohamed Bachri, highlighted the importance of establishing an international alliance dedicated to handle the Sustainable Oasis” initiative, among concerned countries, who their date palm oases are facing problems, and which is extended starting from the Arabian Gulf up to the Atlantic Ocean. Where this to take place under the Patronage of the United Nations, to develop the necessary tools and resources which will enable protecting and ensuring the sustainability of these areas, by establishing an institution to achieve the goals of the “Sustainable Oasis” initiative; and mobilizing the necessary financial resources to implement it.

H.E. Eng. Bachri, then pointed out that the "Sustainable Oasis" initiative was developed aiming for recognition, preservation and development of oases, as they are role models for adapting to climate change. The initiative also aims to expose the exceptionality and fragility of oases, preserve the oasis heritage, especially its biodiversity and human systems, and also value the qualifications an oases holds to achieve sustainable development. The “Sustainable Oasis” Initiative was launched by the Kingdom of Morocco, during the Conference of Parties “COP22”, and hosted in Marrakesh, 2016, to allow taking appropriate, joint and effective measures to save oases, ensure their survival, and work on their sustainability and continuity in order to play it environmental, and social role.

H.E. Eng. Bachri, then presented the “Agricultural strategy” of the Kingdom of Morocco, the “Green Morocco Plan” and the “Production Chains” approach, where the average date production over the past 5 years is 133,000 tons per year, and a total production of 149,000 tons in 2020.  Where the date palm cultivation area is 60,000 hectares, and a total of 6.6 million date palm trees, which represents 7% of the world’s heritage. Eng. Bachri, then highlighted the fact that the national administrative methodology to meet the challenges of sustainable oases is based on 3 main criteria: Human rehabilitation, Economic resources valorization, and Environment preservation. Where the agency is currently working on a comprehensive development program for oasis areas and is tracking its achievement, within the framework of sustainable development at the economic, social, cultural, environmental, and human levels, in accordance with the established directions and strategies.

H.E. Eng. Mohamed Bachri, then concluded the lecture by highlighting the great role played by the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation in supporting and developing the date palm cultivation sector and the date production worldwide, through the organizing of Jordan International Date Palm Festival, Sudan International Date Palm Festival, and Egypt International Date Palm Festival and the accompanying activities and events. Which actively contributed to the increase of the reputation of the Arab dates and the volume of exports, in addition to the series of international conferences organized by the Award’s General Secretariat for over twenty four years.