Page 71 - AMEFT Journal 2021-4

EVENTS
UAE summit: Role of global food security in green growth
Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the seventh World Green Econ- omy Summit (WGES) tackled some of the key sustainable development pillars, one of which is global food security and its role in green growth. Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and the World Green Econ- omy Organization (WGEO) organized international event which was held on 6th and 7th of October 2021 at Expo 2020 Dubai.
During the Summit, attendees dis- cussed solutions, resources and re- search required to address the press- ing global food security challenges and threats. They examined and proposed proactive measures to enhance stake- holder resilience and preparedness for any future changes. These areas of discussion have become more rel- evant than ever today due to the on- going COVID-19 pandemic, which has highlighted the importance of food se- curity in achieving people’s prosperity, ensuring continued operation of the vital sectors, and meeting develop- ment requirements across fields.
Food security will remain as one of the top priorities of governments af- ter the pandemic. WGES looked into ways to advance the food and agri- cultural technology sectors to fulfil the requirements of the circular or green economy and promote the sustainable use of natural resources, particularly water, during production processes. Several pioneering and leading food security initiatives have been launched worldwide to combat different challenges. One of these is the Dubai Food Tech Valley, a major programme launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
HE Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment
HE Mariam Bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri, Min- ister of State for Food and Water Security
HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the DSCE in Dubai- and Chairman of WGES
Mrs. Habiba Al Marashi, Co-founder and Chairperson of the Emirates Environmental Group
to leverage genetic engineering in agriculture, along with hydroponics and vertical farming, to ensure food security for residents.
“Amid the pandemic, the food secu- rity system implemented in response to the directives of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Mak- toum, Vice President and Prime Min- ister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Com- mander of the UAE Armed Forces, has proved that it is efficient and ef- fective. The wise leadership’s proac- tive vision has played a pivotal role in preserving the welfare of UAE citizens and residents and ensuring their ac- cess to high-quality food at all times,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy in Dubai, and Chair- man of WGES.
“Food security is a key strategic pil- lar to drive sustainable development and accomplish the ambitious green economy objectives that the UAE has set. Our leadership has long prioritized the food sector, building an advanced infrastructure and embracing the lat- est technologies to boost local pro- duction and ensure its sustainability in light of the significant challenges facing the UAE in this regard. Using advanced technologies and innovative solutions to ensure food security is indispensable for the green economy to thrive, which, in turn, is necessary for the entire food value chain in the UAE to flourish,” said Her Excellency Mariam Almheiri, Minister of State for Food and Water Security.
“MOCCAE and its partners are com- mitted to enhancing food security and sustainability – a strategic priority of the UAE – through an integrated host of enablers, such as adopting state-of- the-art technologies, scaling up R&D, and streamlining cross-border food supply chains and related logistics ser- vices,” said HE Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Climate Change
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