Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Tolerance and President of the Board of Trustees of the KhalifaInternational Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, the Award's General Secretariat held aspecial remote meeting using visual communication techniques, within the framework of the endeavors to provide the appropriate tools and platforms that contribute to empowering the team work and target groups, and to deal efficiently and effectively with the changes of the current conditions and serve the efforts of the UAE in facing the challenges of the spread of coronavirus COVID-19. His Highness Sheikh Nahayan praised the Award's ability to face challenges and turn them into positive opportunities, and its commitment to the guidance of rational leadership in facing this epidemic, and work hard in preparation for the post corona period. 

The meeting was chaired by Dr. Abdelouahhab Zaid, Award’s Secretary General ,and the participation of Dr. Helal Humaid Saeed Al Kaabi, member of the Award’s Board of Trustees and the Award’s personnel in where the work’s system was discussed and its ability to adapt to the current conditions in preparation for the post-COVID19 phase. Participants also reviewed the Award’s remaining agenda during the year 2020 and the digital transformation of most of its activities and applications to continue its various programs inside and outside the country, and review the achievements and developments of the first quarter of the Secretariat's plans for the award ‘s current year and the progress made at various levels. The procedures for launching the thirteenth session of the award were discussed, as well as communication mechanisms and enabling the target groups to participate within the categories through the online platform (https://www.kiaai.ae/). In addition to the mechanisms for implementing international date festivals in a number of Arab countries.

Thanks to the support of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and the directives of

His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation discuss the adaptation system with the current situation and preparing for the post COVID-19 .

Thanks to the support of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and the directives of His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayanto meet the aspirations and vision of rational leadership in various circumstances, whatever the challenges, by strengthening the leadership role, Dr. Abdelouahhab Zaid said, the United Arab Emirates is globally leading date palm sector and agricultural innovation, and encourage workers in this sector, including researchers, farmers, producers, exporters, institutions, associations and competent bodies. In addition to supporting scientific research for the development of the date palm sector and agricultural innovation, and the development of international cooperation between the competent authorities working in the date palm cultivation sector and the production of dates and agricultural innovation to meet the challenges of this sector and its readiness after the Corona period.

Dr. Helal Al Kaabi, member of the Board of Trustees, also praised the readiness of the Award for the post Coved 19 stage, thanks to the strong infrastructure that enabled it to overcome the repercussions of the crisis and business continuity in compliance with all the directives and procedures issued by the competent authorities in the country.