Sharjah 24 – WAM: The Emirates Food Security Council examined global food security challenges and their local repercussions during its first meeting of 2022, chaired by Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment.
The gathering drew the participation of the Council’s members from the ranks of concerned federal and local government authorities, in addition to representatives of the National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority, the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, and the US Regional Agricultural Office, as well as a host of international food market experts.
Almheiri highlighted the Council’s vital role within the UAE’s food security system as the central authority supervising the implementation of the National Food Security Strategy 2051 and the execution of plans and directions aimed at enhancing food production and food value chain management, establishing pioneering food projects, supporting the national economy, increasing the country’s competitiveness, and encouraging the public to contribute to boosting food security.
"The UAE works to meet its goal of ranking at the top of the Global Food Security Index by 2051 through utilising data to inform strategies that advance the transition to a sustainable future, and ensuring the provision of safe and healthy food at affordable prices. We look forward to more achievements in the food security space in 2022," she said.
"We must understand urgent global challenges if we want to confront them and overcome food insecurity. This requires everyone to view food from a holistic perspective as a pivotal factor in achieving a qualitative shift towards a better future, which the country is driving by investing in agritech and collaborating with international organisations, agricultural entities, and other stakeholders," she added, emphasising that food security is a priority for the UAE. Almheiri reiterated the importance of boosting the sector’s resilience in the face of global challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and conflicts that adversely affect the continuity of food supply chains.
The meeting explored several important mechanisms to enhance the UAE’s food security, the impact of international conflicts and rising commodity prices on the country’s food system, and the outcomes of the Food Insecurity Experience Scale. The attendees reviewed ways of cooperation to support local food producers and enforce food-related legislation.
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