UN recognises UAE oases as agricultural heritage sites



The date palm oases of Al Ain and Liwa have been recognised as agricultural heritage sites by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation.

The oases were given the designation due to their importance to culture, biodiversity and as a source of genetic resources, state news agency Wam said.

The oases are key centres for the nation’s date grove production in the UAE, and join a growing number of ecosystems formally recognised by the UN organisation.

Speaking at the annual Khalifa International Date Palm Award Ceremony, Jose Graziano da Silva, FAO director-general, said, “Advancing towards the future while preserving your roots is not always an easy task, but the UAE have been able to do that with their sustainable date palm production.”

Currently, the FAO and the UAE are collaborating on two new projects, one relating to pest management and another to map water use and production.

In recent years, the UAE has implemented a conservation programme to revitalise these oases through measures such as protection from urban encroachment, restoration of ancient irrigation systems and the re-introduction of traditional agricultural management.

newsdesk@thenational.ae

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Expo details

Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia

The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.

It is expected to attract 25 million visits

Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.

More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020

The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area

It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South

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If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.