The UAE Minister of State for Food Security, HE Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Al Almheiri, opened the World Food Security Forum, MENA on November 16 with a speech affirming the UAE's vision to be the world leader in the Global Food Security Index by 2051, and among the top 10 countries by 2021.
Almheiri shared key areas of focus to achieve the UAE's aims:
- to develop a comprehensive national system based on enabling sustainable food production through the use of modern technologies
- to enhance local production
- to develop international partnerships to diversify food sources
- to activate legislation and policies that contribute to improving nutrition
- to activate legislation and policies to reduce waste.
From the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the UAE and the wider region proactively introduced smart initiatives and policies to strengthen and further develop a sustainable and safe food supply, Minister Almheiri said. She further outlined that industry can best support the UAE's progress towards improved food securitythrough investment, innovation and technology.
The World Food Security Forum, MENA convened government and industry leaders from across the region, virtually connecting the regional food community to discuss how to ensure a resilient future to sustainable agriculture.