UAE Aligns With GCC Nations To Strengthen Regional Food Security Efforts

Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak Al Shamsi, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, highlighted the UAE's alignment with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries' vision. She stressed the importance of cooperation among member states to harmonise efforts, practices, and policies on key issues, especially in enhancing regional food security.

During her speech at the 36th Ministerial Meeting of the Agricultural and Food Security Committee of the GCC, Dr. Al Dahak invited GCC countries to participate in the World Food Security Summit. This event is scheduled for 26th–27th November 2024 in Abu Dhabi as part of Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Security Week (ADAFSW). The summit aims to bring together experts and decision-makers to discuss innovative solutions for strengthening global food security.

The meeting was chaired by Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiyah, Minister of Municipality of Qatar. It saw participation from ministers responsible for agriculture and food security from various GCC countries. Dr. Al Dahak led the UAE delegation from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and local entities.

Dr. Al Dahak emphasised that under President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's directives, the UAE is making significant strides in strengthening its agricultural and food sectors. "These efforts aim to bridge gaps between sustainable agriculture, aquaculture, and food security while promoting investment in modern agricultural technologies," she stated.

She further added that the UAE focuses on research and development (R&D) to ensure sustainable production. This includes fostering collaboration to diversify import sources and creating a flexible food system. The UAE continues to advance this sector while expanding cooperation with various countries to promote sustainable agriculture.

Challenges and Opportunities

The UAE shares common agricultural challenges with other GCC states, such as water scarcity and limited arable land. Dr. Al Dahak noted that these challenges present opportunities for close cooperation and exchange of sustainable practices to achieve positive outcomes. "Our shared consensus paves the way for increased collaboration and expertise-sharing," she said.

The 36th Ministerial Meeting addressed key issues to harmonise efforts for enhancing food security, including the GCC Food Security Strategy. This strategy aims to integrate procedures among member states to create a resilient Gulf entity capable of withstanding crises.

Adoption of International Standards

The UAE also agreed with the GCC’s vision on several important files concerning agriculture, aquaculture, and animal sectors. Additionally, it endorsed adopting the GCC Guide for the Collection and Transport of Animal Samples as a reference. This guide ensures alignment with international standards and safeguards GCC countries from epidemic and infectious animal diseases.

Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak acknowledged the efforts of the GCC General Secretariat in achieving Gulf-wide integration by removing obstacles and creating a shared vision for food security. She highlighted that these solutions are crucial not only in enhancing food security but also in empowering agricultural regulations within the GCC.

The meeting underscored that harmonising efforts among member states is essential for regional food security enhancement. The focus remains on bridging gaps between sustainable agriculture practices while promoting investment in modern technologies.

The upcoming World Food Security Summit will provide a platform for exchanging best practices and showcasing advancements in the food security sector. It aims to bring together experts and decision-makers to discuss innovative solutions for strengthening global food security systems.

With inputs from WAM