Muscat:The International Dates Council convened its sixth session of the Council of Members, hosted by the Sultanate of Oman and represented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, with participation from member state representatives.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the meeting focused on electing the Executive Board for the next term, approving a financial contribution mechanism for member states, and extending the mandates of specialized committees. Additionally, the council welcomed Morocco and Libya as new members, broadening the geographical representation.
During the session, the council reviewed the annual report of the Executive Secretariat, which highlighted significant achievements, programs, and activities from the past period. Discussions also covered the progress of joint initiatives and projects, as well as strategic directions and priorities for the palm and dates sector's development on both regional and international levels.
Saudi Arabia retained the presidency of the Executive Board, with Oman representing the Gulf states and Yemen region, Jordan representing the Near East region, and Libya representing North Africa. The council expressed gratitude to the outgoing board members—Saudi Arabia, Oman, Tunisia, and Palestine—for their contributions during the previous term.
The approval of a mechanism for calculating financial contributions to the council's budget was a key outcome of the meeting. This mechanism aims to regulate financial resources and support the sustainability of the council’s programs and projects. The extension of the specialized committees' mandates was also approved to ensure continuity in their tasks and the development of technical programs.
In his address, Abdulrahman Alfadley, Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture and Chairman of the Council of Members, praised Oman for hosting the session and emphasized the importance of transitioning from planning to implementing strategic initiatives. Alfadley highlighted the sector's potential in food security, sustainable agriculture, and economic development, noting the sector's growth and increased export demand driven by health-conscious consumption patterns.
The minister pointed out that member states produce about 6 million tons annually, accounting for 60% of global production. This positions the International Dates Council to play a pivotal role in enhancing the competitiveness of dates and date products in international markets.