Amna Al-Dahhak witnesses a celebration "ICBA" With a journey of 25 years of leadership

2024/12/17 7:49:50 PM

3 minutes read

Dubai, December 17 / WAM / Her Excellency Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al-Dahhak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, witnessed the celebration of the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) today, the 25th anniversary of its founding, at its headquarters in Dubai.

The celebration was attended by an elite group of figures, including ministers and global leaders in the field of sustainability, along with key partners who contributed to supporting the Centre’s achievements and consolidating its positive impact over a quarter of a century.

Her Excellency praised the pivotal role of the UAE in the success of the centre. She said in her speech during the ceremony that research, innovation and cooperation are crucial to developing and implementing flexible and sustainable agricultural practices to bring about positive sustainable change, noting that the International Center for Local Agriculture (ICBA) plays an effective role in this field. By developing climate-smart agricultural solutions.

She added that the UAE believes that cooperation is crucial to the transformation of food and water systems for a more sustainable future for all, and the ICBA Center is a clear example of an organization that adopts partnership and cooperation as an approach to work and success. By drawing on the expertise and specializations of a wide range of experts across an international network, the Center It adopts a comprehensive approach to find different solutions to our agricultural challenges.

Engineer Mohammed Jamal Al Saati, Special Advisor to the President of the Islamic Development Bank, said: “On this occasion, we celebrate ICBA’s outstanding contributions to enhancing global food security and environmental sustainability, stressing that the joint investment between the government of the UAE and the Islamic Development Bank Center has enabled a qualitative transformation in the lives of millions.” People The bank looks forward to the center achieving its goals within its new strategy, reaching financial sustainability, and building more partnerships.

Her Excellency Dr. Sheikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of the Environment Agency in Abu Dhabi, expressed her sincere congratulations to this pioneering institution for its distinguished contributions in the field of sustainable agriculture and enhancing environmental resilience. Over the course of a quarter of a century, the center has become a global beacon of innovation, as it has faced vital challenges such as water scarcity and deterioration. soil, and provides important solutions for dry and saline environments, reflecting a deep commitment to building a sustainable and food-secure future for communities around the world.

She added that the Environment Agency in Abu Dhabi renews its commitment to supporting the center’s mission and promoting common goals in the areas of sustainability and environmental preservation, and together we will continue to lead in finding innovative solutions to future challenges.

For her part, Her Excellency Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairperson of the Center’s Board of Directors, emphasized the Center’s role over the years, noting that since its founding in 1999, ICBA has faced fundamental challenges such as salinity, water scarcity, and climate change, especially in dry and salty environments, and this progress has not been This would not have been possible without the vision of the wise leadership of the UAE and the support of our founding partners, the UAE government, the Islamic Development Bank, the OPEC Fund for International Development, and the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development.

Her Excellency added, “Over the course of 25 years, ICBA has established itself as a leading global center of excellence, providing innovative solutions that enhance food security, improve the sustainability of water resources, and build agriculture’s ability to adapt to challenges. Its work demonstrates the power of science and cooperation in addressing some of the most pressing issues in the world.” the world”.

Dr. Tarifa Ajif Al Zaabi, Director General of the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), said: “Over a quarter of a century, we have succeeded in transforming major challenges such as salinity, water scarcity and climate change into promising opportunities, which has contributed to enabling some of the most vulnerable communities in the world to achieve prosperity.”

She added, “Our new strategy for the period 2024-2034 builds on ICBA’s rich legacy of providing innovative solutions for salinity management and climate change adaptation, and our new corporate identity reflects an ambitious and bold vision specifically designed to meet the changing needs of our partners and the communities we serve.”

The event witnessed the unveiling of the centre’s new corporate identity, which reflects its future vision and commitment to sustainable innovation.

Her Excellency Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al-Dahhak and Dr. Tarifa Ajif Al-Zaabi participated in honoring individuals and institutions who made outstanding contributions that had a significant impact on the center’s progress.

Dr. Amna Al-Dahhak was also honored in recognition of her role in supporting sustainable agriculture and enhancing resilience in difficult environments, reflecting her leadership and continuous efforts in this field. A special honor was given to His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Muhammad Ali Al Madani, First President of the Islamic Development Bank, in appreciation of the long-term partnership and great support provided by the Bank in achieving ICBA’s successes.