San Luis Río Colorado, Mexico — 27^th of November 2025

The 04th Mexico International Date Palm Festival 2025 commenced in the city of San Luis Río Colorado, under the generous patronage of H.E. Dr. Julio Berdegué, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of the United Mexican States, H.E. José Antonio Ramirez Gómez, Representative of Agriculture in the State of Baja California H.E. Mr. Salem Rashid Salem Al Owais, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the United Mexican States, H.E. Dr. Abdelouahhab Alboukhari Zaid, Prof., Secretary General, Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, Erth Zayed Philanthropies Foundation, UAE Presidential Court, Dr. Armando Moreno Soto, President of the Sonora State University, along with a large number of date growers, researchers, experts, and diplomats from ten date producing countries.

A UAE–Mexican Partnership, with a Sustainable Humanitarian Vision

In his opening speech, Excellency José Antonio Ramirez Gómez, expressed his deep appreciation to the United Arab Emirates for its continuous support in developing the date palm cultivation and production sector in the United Mexican States. H.E. commended the efforts of the Erth Zayed Philanthropies Foundation, and its leading role in building bridges of cooperation among countries through sustainable development, and innovative agricultural projects.

H.E. also extended his gratitude to the esteemed UAE’s Presidential Court for its generous support of this festival, praising the vision of H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Erth Zayed Philanthropies foundation, for championing humanitarian and developmental initiatives that supports innovation in service of humanity, environment, and strengthens the global food security ecosystem.

The UAE Strengthens Its International Presence in Supporting Date Palm Cultivation

From his side, H.E. Mr. Salem Rashid Salem Al Owais, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the United Mexican States, affirmed that the festival reflects the depth of the bilateral relations between the UAE and Mexico. H.E. also noted that it stands as a proof of the close cooperation between the two countries, under the wise leadership of H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE’s President, and H.E. President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, President of the United Mexican States.

His Excellency highlighted that the Award’s General Secretariat, under the supervision of Erth Zayed Philanthropies Foundation, continues to implement the vision of the wise leadership in empowering the date palm sector, and advancing it from traditional agriculture to an innovative economic ecosystem capable of generating added value and enhancing sustainability.

Erth Zayed Philanthropies Legacy Enhances Sustainable Agricultural Solutions

From his side, H.E. Dr. Abdelouahhab Alboukhari Zaid, Prof., Secretary General, Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, Erth Zayed Philanthropies Foundation, UAE Presidential Court, explained that the organization of the festival comes as a continuation of the UAE–Mexican cooperation in developing date palm cultivation. Where he stated that: “Through the vision of Erth Zayed Philanthropies Foundation, and the guidance of H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, we strive to achieve scientific and technological knowledge, to enhance the sustainability of this vital sector, build date growers’ capacities, and achieve integration between scientific research, and commercial production in a way that supports global food security.”

Festival Activities

The festival program included the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Award’s General Secretariat, and the Sonora State University, in addition to honoring the winners of the Mexican Dates Competition, which did have a wide participation from local date growers and producers. The ceremony also featured the recognition of the winners of the photography competition “The Date Palm Through the Eyes of the World – Mexican Edition.”

A specialized scientific symposium was also held, with contributions from a distinguished group of researchers and academics. Where More than 40 exhibitors, from five date producing countries participated: the United Arab Emirates, Arab Republic of Egypt, Kingdom of Morocco, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and the United Mexican States.

In conclusion of the event, an award ceremony was held to honor the festival’s competition winners, in a celebratory atmosphere that reflected the spirit of friendship and cooperation between the two countries, and the shared belief that agricultural innovation is humanity’s path towards collective food security and sustainability that transcends borders.

Honoring the Competition Winners

The awarding ceremony for the Mexican Dates Competition was held amid the joy of participants and winners. The results were as follows:

1. Best Date Palm Farm in Mexico, Corporativo RUVA (Sarahi Zafira Carrasco Lizarraga)
2. Best Producer of Mejhoul Variety:
3. Winner: Agroproductos Datileros SPR de RL (Agustín Diaz Armenta).
4. Winner: Datilera del Desierto S de RL de CV (Alejandro Malacara Valero)
5. Best Factory/Date Packing House
6. Winner: Grupo Navarro (Felipe Gamaliel Luna Hurtado)
7. Winner: Camel Xecue (Jose Carlos Bustamante Vizcarra)
8. Best Food Product or Byproducts with Mexican Dates, Alejandro Cañedo Angulo (Chocodate)
9. Best Dessert Made with Dates, Sherel Gómez Quebedo (Date cake with various seeds)
10. Best Non-alcoholic Beverage Made with Dates, Karina Ayerim Varela Clemente (date drink mixed with citrus fruits)

Honoring Influential Figures in the Mexican Date Palm Sector

The top three individuals who contributed significantly to the development of the date palm cultivation and production sector in Mexico were honored as follows:

1. Mr. Enrique Antonio Ruiz Ibarra
2. Mr. Baldomero Cañedo Rea
3. Dr. Antonio Morales Maza

Additionally, the winners of the photography competition in Mexico were honored, with the results as follows:

First Place Winner: Raul Torres Carrillo

Second Place Winner: Aynek Assilem Perez Lopez

Third Place Winner: Laura Samaniego Sandoval