Young Voices Lead National Dialogue On Food Waste At Ne’ma Youth Circle In Abu Dhabi

In Abu Dhabi, ne’ma, the National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, hosted a Youth Circle to commemorate the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste on 29th September. This event aimed to amplify young voices in discussions about food sustainability. Held at the Region Concept Space in Miza, it was organised with The Climate Tribe, Emirates Foundation, and Abu Dhabi Youth Council.

The Youth Circle focused on how traditional Emirati practices can inspire modern solutions to food waste issues. Discussions were held primarily in Arabic to maintain cultural identity. Participants explored preserving dates, sharing meals, and reusing ingredients as methods to promote resourcefulness. These practices were linked to scalable solutions for today's challenges.

Khuloud Hasan Al Nuwais from Emirates Foundation opened the session with a keynote address. She emphasised the UAE's commitment to reducing food loss by 2030. Al Nuwais stated, "Food waste reduction is not just a matter of behavior change; it is a test of our values and future resilience." She highlighted the importance of combining ancestral wisdom with data-driven actions.

The event gathered representatives from various sectors to discuss cultural wisdom and modern practices. Youth participants collaborated on practical ideas like awareness campaigns and policy recommendations. The contributions of partners like The Climate Tribe and Abu Dhabi Youth Council were acknowledged for amplifying youth voices and connecting heritage with innovation.

Hind Al Ghseen from The Climate Tribe remarked on their goal to inspire community change through collective action. She said, "Bringing together the voices of our youth to address food waste is exactly the kind of collective action that ensures we’re able to build sustainability into every aspect of daily life here in the UAE."

Sherina AlSowaidi from Abu Dhabi Youth Council spoke about carrying forward ancestral legacies. "Our ancestors placed sustainability at the core of their lives; they valued every resource," she noted. The event launched "Roots of Sustainability," a program highlighting Emirati values through experiential learning.

Youth-Driven Solutions

A significant outcome was announcing "Roots of Sustainability," a youth program featuring workshops by The Climate Tribe with partners like Emirates Foundation. These workshops aim to design practical solutions rooted in Emirati heritage while aligning with global best practices.

The Youth Circle included a "Solution Design" segment where participants developed ideas such as social media challenges and community initiatives like Zero Waste Majlis. Policy suggestions included incentives for food donations and measuring food waste in restaurants.

Building a Comprehensive Dataset

This initiative aligns with ne’ma’s broader goals to reduce food loss nationwide. Earlier this year, over 25 partners launched the UAE Food Loss and Waste Baseline Study. This study involves more than 3,000 households across seven emirates participating in data collection phases.

The study tracks discarded food sources and consolidates business-reported data, creating the UAE's first comprehensive dataset on food waste. Findings will guide national indices, awareness campaigns, and evidence-based interventions.

The Youth Circle highlighted shared responsibilities across generations for sustainable food futures in the UAE. Ne’ma continues empowering communities by providing data, culture, and partnerships needed for its vision where no food is wasted.

With inputs from WAM