ABU DHABI (WAM)
The inaugural Global Food Security Summit (GFSS) is set to be hosted by Abu Dhabi on 26th November under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA).
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the Islamic Organisation for Food Security (IOFS) have announced their support for the summit.
The summit is organised by ADNEC Group in partnership with ADAFSA and with the support of the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and the UAE Food and Beverage Manufacturers Group. It is designed to address the growing food security challenges with a particular emphasis on the African continent.
Taking place at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, the summit will gather decision-makers and experts from around the world to discuss innovation in the global food sector and outline strategic pathways to integrate best practices in food production in countries most vulnerable to food crises exacerbated by climate change.
Saeed Al Bahri Salem Al Ameri, Director-General of ADAFSA, commented, "We are delighted to have the support of FAO and IOFS, our key partners in addressing food security challenges at the global level, especially in the African continent that is the focus of the Summit."
He added that this partnership represents an excellent opportunity to enhance international cooperation in agriculture and food security, as exchanging knowledge and experiences between global stakeholders is the only way to overcome the increasing challenges faced by the agricultural sector.
He emphasised that ADAFSA aims to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development that benefits local communities and improves their quality of life. The summit aims to establish strategic partnerships to drive innovation and promote best practices in global agriculture.
Humaid Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNEC Group, highlighted the summit's role in fostering collaboration among leaders, experts, and innovators to address food security challenges, especially in vulnerable regions. He emphasised the importance of partnerships with organisations like FAO and IOFS in shaping the future of food security and driving sustainable practices.
Kayan Akram Jaff, Head of Mission of the FAO Subregional Office for GCC states and Yemen, stated, "As of 2023, around 28.9 percent of the world's population - 2.33 billion people-are experiencing moderate or severe food insecurity, underscoring a troubling rise in global hunger levels."
Ambassador Berik Aryn, Director-General of IOFS, highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach to sustainable food security, including socio-economic development and targeted programmes. He emphasised the summit's importance in Abu Dhabi as a platform for OIC Member States to collaborate on sustainable food production plans that benefit Africa and the world.
Saleh Lootah, Chairman of the UAE Food and Beverage Manufacturers Group, said, "We are delighted to have FAO and IOFS working closely with us to address the urgent issue of food insecurity that affects the lives of millions of people around the world. Their support is additional testament to Abu Dhabi and the UAE's position as a global hub for innovative ideas that will help achieve UN Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger."
The summit will leverage the intersections of climate-smart agriculture, modern technology, aid, food production technologies and supply chain management, among others, to explore ways to solve food insecurity. The FAO and the IOFS will also share their invaluable knowledge to develop a solid framework for enhancing food security.
It aims to help build a sustainable global food system through dialogue and concrete action guided by the legacy of the UAE's Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.