UAE Pledges Stronger Ties With BRICS On Food Security And Environmental Goals

Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), highlighted the UAE's dedication to working with BRICS nations on food security and expanding food trade. She also emphasised cooperation in environmental conservation and promoting sustainable systems.

This announcement was made during the 14th Meeting of the BRICS Ministers of Agriculture and the 10th BRICS Environment Ministers Meeting held in Moscow on June 28th. Dr. Al Dahak was joined by Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi, Undersecretary of MOCCAE, and other ministry officials. The delegation took part in technical sessions and met with counterparts from BRICS member states.

During her participation in the agriculture meeting, Dr. Al Dahak expressed the UAE's goal to create an effective multilateral framework. She stressed the importance of constructive dialogue to boost food security, enhance trade, and establish sustainable food systems among member states. Dr. Al Dahak said, "The UAE has a clear strategy to enhance national food security and achieve food self-sufficiency as part of our efforts to implement the goals of the National Food Security Strategy 2051."

She added that mitigating climate change impacts and enhancing resilience are global challenges. Therefore, the UAE is committed to developing sustainable food systems both domestically and internationally. The UAE is actively working to improve intra-trade to ensure supply chain sustainability while adhering to international standards.

During the session on "Establishment of BRICS Grain Exchange as an Element of Mutual Trade Development," Dr. Al Dahak reiterated the importance of trade in enhancing food security, nutrition, and sustainable agriculture globally. She stated that the UAE prioritises food trade as a key component of its food security strategy.

"The UAE welcomes the establishment of the BRICS Grain Exchange," she said, "anticipating that this initiative will facilitate further discussions aimed at advancing our shared objectives in grain trade." She looks forward to increased cooperation in agriculture and sustainable food security, which are crucial for any country's growth.

Environmental Conservation Efforts

At the 10th BRICS Environment Ministers Meeting, Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi highlighted climate change as one of humanity's most significant challenges affecting all aspects of life. He mentioned that COP28 hosted by the UAE marked a turning point through the historic UAE Consensus, renewing hope in reducing global warming.

Al Nuaimi said, "We believe that a fair and equitable energy transition, coupled with international cooperation, is essential for achieving a sustainable future for current and future generations." He emphasised the UAE's national efforts to achieve Net Zero by 2050 and its initiatives to enhance global climate action.

Collaborative Efforts Among BRICS Nations

A team led by Dr. Mohamed Salman Al Hammadi from MOCCAE participated in the 2nd Meeting of The BRICS Agriculture Cooperation Working Group. They discussed priorities in agriculture among BRICS countries and prepared a final statement on enhancing agricultural cooperation and food security.

The delegates also developed an action plan for 2024-2028 focusing on agricultural cooperation among BRICS countries. This collaborative effort aims to strengthen ties between member nations and address common challenges effectively.

Al Nuaimi concluded by stating that collaboration among environment ministries within BRICS enhances global climate efforts by leveraging collective resources, technologies, solutions, expertise, and scientific research. Establishing additional cooperation platforms proposed during this meeting will help achieve shared objectives.

"The collaboration among environment ministries within the reconfigured BRICS group constitutes a significant enhancement to global climate efforts," he said.

With inputs from WAM