Eighth International Date Palm Conference 2026

Under the generous patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, affiliated with the Erth Zayed Philanthropies Foundation at the UAE Presidential Court, and in collaboration with United Arab Emirates University, will organize the Eighth International Date Palm Conference from 28 April to 1 May 2026 at the Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The conference is held in collaboration with ICARDA and leading national and international partners to advance scientific research, agricultural innovation, and sustainability across the global date palm sector.

On 29 April, ICARDA will host a side event for the Consortium for Red Palm Weevil Control Program (C4RPWC). The session will highlight the consortium’s unique role as a collaborative global platform that:

• Avoids duplication by leveraging existing research and ongoing initiatives.
• Identifies knowledge gaps and prioritizes underexplored areas.
• Translates research outputs into practical solutions for palm growers and supports the development of actionable containment and management strategies.
• Strengthens citizen engagement to support Red Palm Weevil management efforts.

The Consortium for Red Palm Weevil Control (C4RPWC), led by ICARDA in partnership with the UAE Presidential Court and the Gates Foundation, represents the first global, multi-institutional initiative dedicated to combating Red Palm Weevil through a coordinated, research-driven approach. By bringing together expertise from CGIAR centers, advanced research institutes, universities, private sector innovators, and farmers, the consortium accelerates the development and deployment of effective, scalable, and innovative solutions.

Through dialogue and partnership, the conference aims to strengthen sustainable date palm systems and support resilient agrifood systems in dryland regions and beyond.