April 28- May 1, 2026
The Arab Association for Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East and North Africa (AARINENA) actively participated in the 8th International Date Palm Conference (IDPC 2026), held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from 28 April to 1 May 2026. The conference brought together scientists, researchers, policymakers, and experts from across the world to discuss the latest advances and innovations in date palm research, cultivation, biotechnology, sustainability, and climate resilience.
AARINENA’s participation reflects its continued commitment to supporting scientific collaboration and regional knowledge exchange in the field of date palm research and sustainable agricultural development. The conference served as an important international platform for presenting cutting-edge research and strengthening partnerships among institutions working on date palm production and oasis ecosystem sustainability.
As part of the conference activities, Dr. Rida Shibli represented AARINENA and chaired one of the scientific sessions dedicated to Biotechnology, Genetic Engineering, and Tissue Culture Propagation. The session addressed advanced scientific topics related to date palm micropropagation, genetic stability, molecular markers, acclimatization techniques, and innovative biotechnological approaches for improving date palm production and conservation.
The conference program also covered a wide range of themes, including climate-smart date palm cultivation, sustainable use of date palm by-products, water-efficient agribusiness systems, environmental sustainability, and innovations supporting food security and rural development.
AARINENA reaffirmed the importance of regional and international cooperation in promoting scientific research, innovation, and sustainable management of date palm resources, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions facing increasing climate and environmental challenges.