TRENDS Launches Comprehensive Study On Government Communication For UAE's National Food Security Strategy 2051

TRENDS Research & Advisory has released a comprehensive study titled "The Role of Government Communication in Promoting Food Security: The Case of the UAE's National Food Security Strategy 2051." This analysis examines how government communication strategies engage the UAE community on food and resource issues. It also evaluates these strategies' effectiveness in driving behavioural change and achieving economic and social goals.

The study was unveiled at the end of TRENDS' participation in the 14th International Government Communication Forum (IGCF) in Sharjah. During a panel discussion, Mouza Hassan Al-Marzooqi, Director of Economic Studies at TRENDS, highlighted the study's main themes, significance, and scientific recommendations. Al-Marzooqi stated that the UAE has bolstered its efforts to promote government communication for food security and waste elimination.

Al-Marzooqi explained that this includes crafting government messages, improving targeting methods to influence individual behaviours for optimal food recycling, supporting local food production practices, and developing communication tools to ensure resilient food safety within companies through capacity building and enhanced digital systems. She noted that the UAE aims to enhance proactivity in government communication by using digital media and content creation.

The study highlights how the UAE integrates traditional and digital channels while leveraging augmented reality and artificial intelligence technologies for effective public outreach. The UAE seeks to develop food-related messages that prevent waste by empowering robust food safety media systems. This approach involves integrating communication across national institutions and using multimedia by combining digital and traditional media.

The research also underscores lessons learned from the UAE's experience in promoting food security. These include tailoring messages to different audience segments and conducting periodic assessments of behavioural and economic impact. The study recommends supporting communication campaigns to strengthen the national food security strategy through increased use of artificial intelligence technologies.

Recommendations for Future Strategies

Al-Marzooqi added that incorporating food security and smart agriculture concepts into school curricula is crucial. Creating interactive content targeted at children and young people is essential due to their influential role in shaping future food behaviours. The study emphasises designing awareness campaigns showcasing success stories of local farmers and technological projects.

Moreover, expanding partnerships with civil society institutions and the private sector can enhance the horizontal reach of communication messages. The study stresses integrating government communication into national food security policies to ensure consistency between communication messages and actual practices.

The findings highlight how strategic government communication can significantly contribute to achieving national goals like food security. By employing advanced technologies and fostering collaboration across sectors, the UAE aims to create a sustainable future with secure access to resources for all its residents.

With inputs from WAM