Ne’ma Partners With JICE To Strengthen International Efforts In Food Waste Reduction

The National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, known as ne’ma, has partnered with the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE) by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This agreement aligns with the 2024 World Food Day theme, "Right to foods for a better life and a better future." The MoU aims to enhance collaboration between the UAE and Japan in reducing food loss and waste.

During a visit to Japan, a high-profile UAE delegation, including officials from the Ministry of Economy, the Presidential Court, Emirates Foundation, and Tadweer Group, attended the signing ceremony. The delegation explored strategies for reducing food waste that could be applied in the UAE. This initiative supports ne’ma’s goal of cutting food loss by 50% by 2030, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 and the UAE’s National Food Security Strategy 2051.

In 2023, ne’ma and JICE launched "The ne’ma 7 Days Diary," an awareness programme involving Abu Dhabi's Year-7 students. Students recorded their food waste over a week to understand its causes. This initiative fostered responsibility among youths regarding food waste. Khuloud Hasan Al Nuwais from Emirates Foundation highlighted ne’ma's dedication to finding educational approaches and innovative solutions for sustainable practices in food management.

JICE President Yoshida Kozo expressed enthusiasm about formalising this partnership through the MoU. He stated, "We are thrilled to formalise our partnership with ne’ma through this Memorandum of Understanding, which marks a significant step in our commitment to sustainable food practices." The collaboration aims to share Japan’s expertise in food waste management with the UAE to help achieve its ambitious reduction goals.

The UAE delegation assessed Japan’s policy frameworks and community-driven efforts during their visit. These insights aim to enhance ne’ma's sustainability initiatives in line with the UAE's circular economy plan. Tadweer Group engaged with Japanese entities to advance its goal of diverting 80% of waste from landfills as part of its broader strategy focusing on resource recovery and sustainable development.

Tadweer Group CEO Ali Al Dhaheri commented on the visit: "We are honoured to have joined ne’ma on this pivotal visit to Japan... Together, we are driving impactful change for a more sustainable future." The trip provided valuable insights into sustainable practices that can help reduce food waste and support partners like ne’ma in achieving their targets.

Exploring Japanese Food Waste Strategies

The UAE delegation also met with several Japanese entities such as Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency to learn about consumer education strategies on food waste issues. They planned visits to Toyosu Market, one of the largest fish markets globally, to observe its food waste reduction initiatives. Other sites included Second Harvest Japan Food Bank and Machida City Bio-Energy Center.

This mission underscores the importance of international cooperation in addressing global challenges like food waste. By learning from Japan’s successful strategies, the UAE aims to implement effective measures that contribute towards a more sustainable future while strengthening ties between both nations.

With inputs from WAM