BATOOL GHAITH (ABU DHABI)

The United Arab Emirates has emerged as a key player in strengthening food security both domestically and across the MENA region, with policies shaped by lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and reinforced through innovation, strategic reserves and regional partnerships.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO) State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2022, the UAE is one of only four countries globally where all residents can afford a healthy diet.

Dr Ahmad Mukhtar, FAO’s Representative to the UAE, said the pandemic clearly demonstrated that food security is not only about availability, but also about resilience, diversification and preparedness.

“The UAE’s ability to maintain stable food supplies during global disruptions underscored several important lessons that continue to shape its policies today,” Mukhtar told Aletihad during an interview.

Dr Mukhtar explained that diversification of import sources and logistics routes proved critical for an import-dependent country, while the crisis also highlighted the importance of strategic food reserves and efficient supply chain governance, enabling a rapid response to shocks.

He also noted that the pandemic accelerated investments in agricultural innovation, including controlled environment agriculture, digital technologies, and water-efficient production systems.

“COVID-19 reinforced the value of strong public–private coordination and evidence-based decision making, areas where the UAE has continued to strengthen its institutional framework through the National Food Security Strategy 2051,” Dr Mukhtar added.

He emphasised that FAO views the UAE as a strategic regional and global partner in advancing food security beyond its national borders, as the country has increasingly positioned itself as a platform for regional dialogue, investment, and innovation in food systems transformation in the region.

Dr Mukhtar noted that through hosting high-level forums, supporting regional initiatives and promoting multilateral cooperation, the UAE contributes to addressing shared challenges across the region, including water scarcity, climate shocks, dependence on food imports and disruptions linked to conflict.

“FAO particularly values the UAE’s role in convening stakeholders, mobilising financing, and translating regional dialogue into action-oriented partnerships, especially for countries facing protracted crises,” he said.

Collaboration between the FAO and the UAE has played an important role in these efforts.

“The partnership between FAO and the UAE Government is long-standing and multifaceted, spanning policy support, innovation, capacity building and regional cooperation. Especially during the pandemic, this partnership proved particularly valuable in supporting resilient food systems and public awareness initiatives,” he added.

One example was the Food for Life initiative, implemented with UAE ministries and national partners, Mukhtar noted. The initiative promoted healthy diets, sustainable food systems, and consumer awareness, all of which are essential components of food security and nutrition resilience.

Beyond the pandemic response, FAO continues to support the UAE in implementing the National Food Security Strategy 2051, advancing food safety systems, reducing food loss and waste, and strengthening innovation and data systems, according to Mukhtar.

He also stressed the importance of regional cooperation when responding to global shocks.

“FAO strongly emphasises that no country can address food security challenges in isolation, particularly during global disruptions. Regional cooperation allows countries to share information, coordinate trade flows, pool expertise, and develop joint responses to shocks,” he said.

The UAE has played an important role in facilitating that collaboration by hosting cooperation platforms and supporting cross-border initiatives that strengthen food system resilience, Mukhtar added.

“Its approach demonstrates how regional solidarity, combined with national preparedness, can reduce vulnerability to global crises,” he noted.

A recent example of this regional approach is the Arab Agriculture Transformation Fund, launched by the FAO and the Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development (AAAID), which is designed to address long-standing structural gaps in the region’s agrifood systems, Mukhtar explained.

Among the challenges the fund aims to address are under-investment in agriculture, limited access to financing for scalable projects, weak value chains and insufficient adoption of climate-resilient and resource-efficient technologies.

The initiative aims to mobilise public and private investment into priority agrifood projects across the Arab region, supporting productivity, resilience, nutrition outcomes and inclusive economic growth.

“The Fund is expected to help strengthen food security by channeling investment toward countries facing structural production constraints, such as water scarcity, climate stress, or limited infrastructure,” he said.

Mukhtar noted that the UAE plays a central role in advancing these efforts by hosting the launch, supporting regional investment dialogue, and positioning itself as a hub for innovative financing solutions.

“FAO views the UAE’s engagement as critical in moving from policy discussions to investment-driven implementation at scale,” he added.

From the FAO’s perspective, several factors have helped position the UAE as a platform for regional cooperation in food systems and agricultural innovation: political stability, advanced infrastructure, openness to innovation, and a strong commitment to multilateralism, Mukhtar said.

“The UAE combines forward-looking national policies with the ability to convene global and regional actors, including governments, international organisations, the private sector and research institutions,” he explained.

Hosting the Regional Centre of Excellence for Transforming AgriFood Systems further reinforces the country’s role as a catalyst for knowledge exchange and innovation across the region.

Looking ahead, FAO identifies several priorities for strengthening food security across the Arab world, including climate resilience, water efficiency, sustainable intensification of agriculture, reducing food loss and waste, improving nutrition outcomes and strengthening data and governance systems.

“The UAE can continue to play a leading role by scaling innovation, supporting regional financing mechanisms, strengthening partnerships, and championing evidence-based policy dialogue. By linking national success with regional solidarity, the UAE helps advance food security for the wider Arab region,” Mukhtar said.

Technology will also play a growing role, particularly for countries with limited arable land, he added.

“The UAE’s investments in hydroponics, vertical farming, smart greenhouses, and renewable energy-powered systems demonstrate how innovation can increase local production, reduce resource use, and improve resilience - lessons that are increasingly relevant for other countries in the region,” Mukhtar concluded.