Arab region gets official beekeeping organisation
abu dhabi — The Arab Beekeeping Organisation (ABO), the first independent entity dedicated to look after the affairs of beekeepers and honey-production workers in the Arab world, will be launched in Abu Dhabi on February 5, on the sidelines of the Global Forum for Innovation in Agriculture (GFIA) event.
The GFIA will run on February 5 and 6 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (Adnec), under the patronage of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA).
The GFIA will also mark the launch of first international award for beekeepers in the Arab World— named the Arab Beekeeping Organisation Award — for the best natural honey.
It will be presented annually on the sidelines of the International Conference of the ABO.
The ABO will operate under the umbrella of the Arab Organisation
(ABO) will allow beekeepers to exchange expertise and skills and promote the industry... and guide in production and marketing.” Thamer Rashed Al Qasemi, chairman, GFIA organising committee
for the Agricultural Development (AOAD), which will organise its first international conference during GFIA.
Professor Ahmad Al Khazam Al Ghamdi, chairman of the ABO founding committee and vicechairman of the International Federation of Beekeepers’ Associations’ Middle East and Arab World Chapter, said: “The ABO’s establishment has achieved the aspirations of those working in honey production in the Arab world, to have an effective body to look after their affairs and step up the efforts to develop this vital economic sector.”
Thamer Rashed Al Qasemi, chairman of the GFIA’s organising Committee, said: “The ADFCA welcomes the move to set up the ABO. It will allow beekeepers to exchange their expertise and skills and promote the industry, in collaboration with government entities and other relevant bodies, bring international expertise and guide beekeepers in production and marketing.”
Al Qasemi added: “Abu Dhabi has made significant achievements and conducted groundbreaking research and studies in beekeeping sector, an important segment of the agricultural sector where the Emirate seeks to achieve sustainable development. The ADFCA has recently succeeded in the development of a UAE-specific bee breed, capable of adapting to its unique climatic conditions.”
Al Ghamdi also thanked the ADFCA, the strategic partner of GFIA, for its support for the ABO’s founding committee to host the first international conference of beekeepers, which will be collocated with the GFIA. The ADFCA support included the scientist hosting programme, which will bring together 25 global beekeeper experts during the conference to share their knowledge.
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