Mansour Bin Zayed Engages With Ne'ma Initiative Team To Combat Food Waste In The UAE
His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, recently engaged with the team behind the "ne'ma" initiative. This project aims to curb food loss and waste while promoting sustainable consumption in the UAE. During a meeting at Qasr Al Watan, Sheikh Mansour was briefed on the initiative's goals and focus areas.
The "ne'ma" initiative is a significant part of national efforts to halve food loss and waste by 2030. This aligns with the UAE National Food Security Strategy 2051 and supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12.3. The initiative was launched in 2022 by the Emirates Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and the Presidential Court.
During discussions, Sheikh Mansour learned about key aspects such as data analysis, measuring food loss, community awareness, behavioural change, and policy development. These elements are crucial for achieving the initiative's objectives. The team emphasised how these strategies would help reduce waste significantly.
In 2024, "ne'ma" successfully diverted 612,000 kgs of food from landfills. It also rescued and redistributed 367,450 kgs of surplus food to benefit over 450,000 people. These efforts highlight the initiative's impact on reducing waste and supporting communities in need.
Sheikh Mansour also visited "Al Fina'a by ne'ma" at Qasr Al Watan. Here, he interacted with entrepreneurs and technology providers showcasing innovative solutions in food preservation technologies. These innovations are vital for supporting a sustainable circular economy.
The importance of scaling these innovations was stressed by Sheikh Mansour. He highlighted their role in driving sustainable transformation in food consumption. This transformation contributes to achieving sustainable development goals while supporting UAE's food security objectives.
National Study on Food Loss
The "ne'ma" initiative is conducting the first national study on food loss and waste. This study will provide essential data to inform future policies aimed at reducing waste further. The findings will be crucial for shaping effective strategies to tackle this issue nationwide.
This comprehensive approach underscores the UAE's commitment to sustainability and responsible consumption practices. By addressing food waste through innovative solutions and informed policies, the country aims to create a more sustainable future for its citizens.
With inputs from WAM
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