His Excellency the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Engineer Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadhli, will inaugurate the 6th edition of the International Dates Conference and Exhibition under the theme “World of Dates,” organized by the National Center for Palm and Dates. The event will be held at the King Saud University campus in Riyadh from November 25 to December 4, 2025, with participation from a distinguished group of local and international experts, specialists, and exhibitors.

This year, the conference is held in scientific partnership with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) under the title “Innovation for Sustainability in the Palm and Dates Value Chain,” highlighting the sector’s pivotal role in achieving sustainability and enhancing food security. The conference will feature panel discussions and scientific sessions focusing on innovation in the sector, showcasing leading research, and presenting initiatives nominated for the National Center for Palm and Dates Award, while supporting the application of circular economy principles in date cultivation and processing operations.

The conference will also address challenges related to palm pests and diseases and highlight smart farming techniques and post-harvest automation aimed at increasing production efficiency and improving quality.

The “World of Dates” exhibition will welcome visitors free of charge from 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM. The exhibition includes various zones and experiences, such as pavilions representing different regions of the Kingdom that highlight each region’s identity and dates; an independent exhibitors’ area enabling companies, entrepreneurs, and farmers to showcase their value-added date products; a live cooking and tasting area supervised by local and international chefs; a restaurants and cafés area offering local and international dishes featuring Saudi dates; a handicrafts area highlighting heritage related to palms and dates; and the Palm Heritage Museum, which traces the development of palm cultivation and date production. The exhibition serves as a local and global platform that enhances the Kingdom’s position as a leading center for date production and export worldwide.

It is noteworthy that in 2024, the Kingdom ranked first globally in date exports, with a total export value of SAR 1.695 billion and a production volume exceeding 1.9 million tons. Saudi dates have achieved significant global presence, reaching 133 countries worldwide.