Abu Dhabi Presents AgriFood And Water Solutions At Global Food Summit

A high-level delegation from Abu Dhabi, led by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), attended the Future-Food Tech Summit in Chicago. They showcased the AgriFood Growth and Water Abundance (AGWA) cluster, launched earlier this month by H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council.

The AGWA cluster, spearheaded by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and ADIO, aims to address global food shortages and water scarcity. It will serve as a hub for novel food ingredients and technologies to enhance water resource efficiency.

During the summit, senior representatives from ADIO, Hub71, the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), and the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) were present. These organisations are key players in Abu Dhabi's efforts to attract inward investment and promote food safety and security.

Leading research centres such as the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), ADIA Lab, Khalifa University, United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), and Hub71 have agreed to collaborate. Their goal is to accelerate innovation, talent development, and advanced research to tackle global food shortages and water scarcity.

AGWA has also secured agreements with major infrastructure partners like Abu Dhabi Ports Company, Abu Dhabi Airports Company, Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC), and Masdar City. These entities will work with ADIO to create an enabling environment for AGWA cluster companies.

The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI), Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), and Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) announced a steering committee formation. This committee will work on creating a regulatory environment to boost Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading global food and water hub.

Innovative Partnerships

AGWA has welcomed its first innovators into its ecosystem. Believer Meats will develop commercial production of cultivated meat capabilities in Abu Dhabi. Swiss-based NUOS will establish an innovation centre and manufacturing facilities for alternative protein production in the city.

Fatima Al Dhaheri, Head of the AGWA Cluster, stated: "Our US tour has been instrumental in forging strategic alliances in food and water innovation. We identified promising opportunities for collaboration with global leaders, and showcased AGWA's vision to a global audience. Together with our partners, we can drive innovation, develop advanced solutions, and tackle global challenges, significantly enhancing the scale, diversity, and accessibility of food ecosystems worldwide."

Future Prospects

The delegation also visited San Francisco and Los Angeles as part of their US tour. The AGWA cluster is expected to contribute AED90 billion in incremental gross domestic product to Abu Dhabi’s economy. It aims to create over 60,000 new jobs while attracting AED128 billion in investment.

At the Future-Food Tech Summit, ADIO hosted a breakout session titled "Building a Global, Sustainable Hub for Novel Food to Ensure Food and Water Security". This session highlighted Abu Dhabi’s strategic initiatives in pioneering global food and water solutions through the establishment of the AGWA cluster.

Additionally, ADIO, ADAFSA, and the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (ADQCC) announced their collaboration. They aim to streamline regulatory approvals and support mechanisms for more efficient solutions in agriculture, food, and water sectors.

With inputs from WAM