Brief Biography and Achievements

1. An Emirati national, 68 years of age, holds a degree in Agronomy (1981) from the Hassan II Agronomic and Veterinary Institute – Morocco (prepared at the USDA USA), and a PhD in Horticulture (1990) from Colorado State University – USA, with a GPA 4.00.

2. Awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Sonora State University, United Mexican States, 2023.

3. Dr. Abdelouahhab Alboukhari Zaid undertook two post-doctoral studies sponsored by the Fulbright Foundation (1993) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) (1994).

4. Dr. Abdelouahhab Alboukhari Zaid worked for 15 years for the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco, holding positions of increasing responsibility in research and teaching in the field of date palm propagation and production. From Tissue Culture Specialist to Head of the Plant Physiology Laboratory at the National Institute of Agronomic Research (INRA), and subsequently Director of the National Centre of Biotechnology. In September 1990, he joined the teaching staff of the Department of Botany, Faculty of Sciences - Semlalia - Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, and was elected General Secretary of the National Association of Biotechnology. During this period, he served as a consultant for the AOAD, the World Bank, the FAO, and other UN agencies.

5. Joined the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in June 1995 as the Chief Technical Adviser for the Date Production Support Programme in Namibia (UTF-NAM), contributing to food security, nutrition improvement, poverty alleviation, creation of employment, and the fight against desertification.

6. Contributed significantly to the FAO Organization’s credibility in various countries by preparing several development projects in Burkina Faso, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, Yemen, Namibia, and South Africa. He also provided technical leadership to regional and international agricultural activities.

7. Currently serves as:
a. Agricultural Advisor at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs in the United Arab Emirates since June 2014.
b. Secretary General of Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, affiliated with Erth Zayed Philanthropies Foundation, UAE Presidential Court, since its inception in May 2007.
c. Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) since December 2015 for a five-year period.

8. Recipient of numerous awards, honors, and recognitions, including:
- B.R. Sen Award from the FAO (1999).
- Award of Excellence from the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD) (2000).
- Honorary Medal from the FAO (2019).
- Certificate of Appreciation to the Award General Secretariat from the FAO (2019).
- Letter of Appreciation from the UAE Presidential Court for the publication “Khalifa Award Report – Bridging Boundaries” (2021).
- Honorary Doctorate from Sonora State University, Mexico (2023).
- Gold Medal from Benazir Bhutto University, Pakistan (2024).
- Certificate of Appreciation from the UAE Presidential Court for achieving Distinguished Employee requirements.
- Letter of Recommendation from the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi for environmental sector development.
- Six letters of recognition from His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco (2004, 2011, 2015, 2021, 2022, and 2024).
- Plaque of honor for presenting a Hassania Lecture on "Date Palm in the Holy Qur'an and Sunnah" before His Majesty King Mohammed VI (May 30, 2019).
- Won the iF Design Award 2023 for the co-edited book “Khalifa Award Report – Bridging Boundaries”.

9. Founder of the Khalifa International Date Palm Award and appointed Secretary General by Presidential Decree on May 2, 2007.

10. Founded the Distinguished Farmer and Innovative Farmer’s Award in March 2017.

11. Organized the International Date Palm Conferences (2nd to 8th sessions, 2002–2026) under the patronage of the UAE President.

12. Organized the Egypt International Date Palm Festivals (2015–2025).

13. Organized the Sudan International Date Palm Festivals (2017–2022).

14. Organized the Jordan International Date Palm Festivals (2018–2025).

15. Organized the Mauritania International Date Palm Festivals (2022–2025).

16. Organized the International Mexico Date Palm Festivals (2022–2025).

17. Organized the International Pakistan Date Palm Festivals (2024–2025).

18. Organized the International Ethiopia Date Palm Festival (2025).

19. Founder and Director General (2005–2012) of the Sheikh Khalifa Center for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (UAEU & Ministry of Presidential Affairs).

20. Founder and General Coordinator of the International Date Palm Network (since 2004).

21. Co-founder and Secretary General of the UAE Date Palm Friends Society, headed by H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahyan (since 2003).

22. Organized the UAE International Date Palm Exhibitions in Al Ain (2004, 2006, 2008, 2010).

23. Initiated the tissue culture multiplication of "Al Ain Male" from the President's orchard via "Organogenesis" with unique success (2010).

24. Coordinated with numerous national scientists in Arab countries to lead the date palm and innovation sector.

25. Qualified national cadres in KSA, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, UAE, Yemen, Morocco, Algeria, Libya, etc., to assume responsibility in the sector.

26. Established strong links with global stakeholders and provided scientific/technical advice to organizations like FAO, UNIDO, ICBA, UNOPS, IFAD, UNDP, ICARDA, and DPGN.

27. Encouraged UAE private sector investment in palm cultivation in Namibia, South Africa, and Australia.

28. Authored numerous books, including FAO's "Date Palm Cultivation" (No. 156) and the "Glossary of Biotechnology for Food and Agriculture" (published in six languages). Recently published “The Mejhoul – The Jewel of Dates”.

29. Joined the UAE on June 15, 2000, as FAO Chief Technical Advisor to lead the development of the palm sector using tissue culture at UAE University (2000–2013).