UAE's Ne'ma Initiative Targets Halving Food Waste By 2030 In Ramadan Effort

The National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, ne'ma, has recently unveiled its Food Rescue Programme as a pivotal component of the Count Your ne’ma campaign, which is observed throughout the holy month of Ramadan. This initiative aligns with Zayed Humanitarian Day, celebrated on the 19th of Ramadan annually, to honor the humanitarian legacy of the UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The campaign is designed to instill a sense of responsibility within the community regarding food conservation and to promote behavioural shifts aimed at minimizing food loss and waste, reflecting the core Emirati traditions and values.

The Food Rescue Programme seeks to mitigate food waste during Ramadan by salvaging and reallocating surplus food. This effort is not only about preserving food but also about contributing to the reduction of emissions, supporting the UAE’s ambitious objective to halve food waste by 2030. The initiative has seen enthusiastic participation from 300 volunteers, including notable figures such as Mariam Almheiri, Head of the Office of International Affairs at the Presidential Court and Chairwoman of the ne'ma National Steering Committee. Through their dedication, over 156,227kg of surplus fresh local produce was distributed to more than 5,000 families across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Sharjah. Volunteers dedicated more than 4,500 hours to package and deliver ne’ma family boxes.

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Mariam Almheiri emphasized the UAE's commitment to addressing food loss and waste as a critical issue. She highlighted that the ne’ma initiative is a testament to the UAE’s dedication to achieving a 50% reduction in food waste by 2030, in alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 12.3. The Count Your ne’ma campaign plays a crucial role in raising awareness about food-related issues and fostering positive behaviours that resonate with Emirati values like mindfulness and measured consumption.

Almheiri also expressed her gratitude towards the Takatof volunteers for their significant contribution to saving surplus food. She extended her thanks to all private sector partners involved in the initiative, notably Silal, for their substantial support. Additionally, she acknowledged other key partners including Takatof, Khalifa Foundation, HeroGo, Food and Beverage Manufacturing Group, Al Foah, IFFCO, Emirates Macaroni, Hunter Foods, Al Barakah Dates, Nutridor, Hot pack, Intercat Hospitality, Bel, Reloop for their crucial roles in the programme’s success.

Khuloud Al Nuwais, Chief Sustainability Officer at Emirates Foundation and Secretary-General of the ne’ma Steering Committee, remarked on the importance of the Food Rescue Programme within the Count Your ne’ma campaign. She noted that implementing this programme involved collaboration with a wide array of private sector partners covering the entire food supply chain—from farms through distribution and packaging to transportation companies and start-ups. This extensive partnership underscores the collective effort required from both government and private sectors to meet the UAE’s goal of reducing food loss and waste by half by 2030.

In line with its commitment during the Year of Sustainability, ne’ma is dedicated to promoting sustainable practices aimed at achieving zero food waste in landfills. The initiative focuses on reducing food waste through rational consumption practices and redistributing surplus food to those in need. Furthermore, ne’ma has been instrumental in facilitating donations by promoting a culture of giving that aligns with the spirit of Ramadan.

With inputs from WAM