Riyadh: The International Dates Council held a strategic workshop today in Riyadh addressing the future of the palm and dates sector, as well as partnership and investment opportunities with the private sector. The event saw broad international participation to discuss future partnership models, enhance the private sector's role in developing and sustaining this vital sector, and support its presence in global markets.

According to Saudi Press Agency, Chief Executive Officer of the International Dates Council Sarah bint Bandar bin Abdulaziz said the workshop comes at a time when the global food system is facing accelerating challenges, stressing the importance of the dates sector in supporting food security and advancing green economy trends. She noted a growing global shift in viewing dates as a superfood and a promising economic driver, underscoring the need to move from a production-focused approach toward achieving sustainable global competitiveness.

The sessions concluded with several recommendations, most notably the formation of a joint committee between the International Dates Council and private-sector partners to set partnership priorities, coordinate efforts, and oversee program implementation within a clear governance framework that balances strategic direction and practical execution. Recommendations also included supporting the establishment of an International Date Observatory in the Kingdom of Bahrain by enhancing data and research sharing, adopting unified standards and quality programs, launching global joint marketing initiatives for dates as a healthy and functional product, pursuing the adoption of an International Year of Dates in cooperation with government entities and international organizations, and strengthening programs to develop innovative date-based processing industries and exchange expertise in this field.