Two UAE date palm oases first to be recognised by UN

Two date palm oases have joined joined a list of agricultural heritage sites recognised by the United Nations – the UAE’s first entries.

The Al Ain and Liwa oases join a growing number of ecosystems that are formally recognised by the UN’s Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO) for their importance as repositories of genetic resources, biodiversity and cultural heritage.

Both are known as marvels of ancient hydrology and their date groves form the centre of date production in the UAE.

“For many Arab countries, Date palms are much more than simply food – they are an integral part of your history and cultural identity,” FAO director-general José Graziano da Silva said on Sunday.

Speaking at the annual Khalifa International Date Palm Award Ceremony in the UAE, da Silva designated both oases as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) and praised the Emirates’ active conservation efforts.

“Advancing towards the future while preserving your roots is not always an easy task, but the Emirates have been able to do that with their sustainable date palm production,” he said.

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Two UAE date palm oases first to be recognised by UN