December 2023

The official launch ceremony was attended by senior government officials and dignitaries and featured a statement by H.E. Eng. Mohammed Mousa Alameeri, Assistant Undersecretary for the Food Diversity Sector, Ministry of Climate Change and Environment of the UAE.

The book reviews traditional agricultural practices maintained by Emirati farmers, connecting them with scientific theories, research, and modern technologies aimed at increasing agricultural productivity and development. It documents some of the best local agricultural practices and provides their scientific underpinnings within the context of environmental sustainability and climate change.

The book was announced at the UAE Pavilion at the International Horticultural Expo 2023 Doha, Qatar, during the UAE’s 52nd National Day celebrations in the presence of H.E. Abdulrahman bin Hamad bin Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, Minister of Culture of Qatar; H.E. Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture and Youth of the UAE; and H.E. Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the UAE.

Participants, including CEOs of private companies and senior government officials from different countries, learned about ongoing millet trials at ICBA’s research station and post-harvest processing machines, and tasted a variety of millet-based dishes.

Attended by over 40 delegates, the event also included statements by H.E. Eng. Mohammed Mousa Alameeri, Assistant Undersecretary for the Food Diversity Sector, Ministry of Climate Change and Environment of the UAE; H.E. Dr. Abdulhakim Elwaer, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa; and H.E. Eng. Mohammad Jamal Alsaati, Special Advisor to the President of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).

Established in collaboration with SELCO Foundation, the Millet Demo Farm is designed to showcase the whole value chain for millets - from seed production to consumption – and raise awareness about its benefits for climate change adaptation in agriculture.

Recognizing the pivotal role of women in agriculture in developing countries, WACAA aims to enable and increase their contributions to climate action in the sector. In particular, the initiative is designed to provide women in agriculture with more opportunities, skills, and resources by mobilizing efforts and partners to address gender issues at various levels.

H.E. Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28 and Chair of ICBA’s Board of Directors, said: “The purpose of WACAA is clear, it is compelling. It is to unite women leaders, scientists, policymakers, researchers, farmers, and organizations who are dedicated to addressing gender inequalities and mitigating the impacts of climate change in agriculture.”

Dr. Tarifa Alzaabi, Director General of ICBA, said: “WACAA is aligned with ICBA’s goal of putting women engagement at the center of sustainable agricultural development, food security, and climate action. It builds on our mission to develop women’s capacities to make agrifood systems more resilient and sustainable in the face of climate change. We invite all organizations and partners working towards gender equality to join us in our collective effort.”