Today's Edition
DOHA (WAM)
Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak Al Shamsi, emphasised the alignment of the UAE's vision with that of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, stressing the importance of cooperation among the member states.
She highlighted the need for harmonising efforts, practices, and policies on key issues, particularly in enhancing regional food security, and acknowledged the GCC General Secretariat's efforts to achieve Gulf-wide integration, removing obstacles and creating a shared vision for food security.
Al Dahak made this statement during her participation as head of the UAE delegation from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and local entities at the 36th Ministerial Meeting of the Agricultural and Food Security Committee of the GCC, hosted by the State of Qatar under its current presidency.
The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Municipality of Qatar, Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiyah, and attended by ministers responsible for agriculture and food security from the GCC countries.
During the meeting, Al Dahak affirmed that the UAE, under the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is making significant efforts to strengthen the agricultural and food sectors.
"These efforts aim to bridge gaps between sustainable agriculture, aquaculture, and food security, while promoting investment in modern agricultural technologies. The UAE’s focus on research and development (R&D) seeks to guarantee sustainable production, foster collaboration to diversify import sources, and create a flexible food system," she said.
Al Dahak said, "The UAE continues to advance this sector while expanding cooperation with various countries to promote sustainable agriculture and standardise legislation within the GCC. These solutions are crucial not only in enhancing food security, but also in empowering agricultural and aquaculture regulations."
"The UAE and GCC states share common agricultural challenges, particularly water scarcity and limited arable land. These challenges present opportunities for close cooperation and the exchange of sustainable practices to achieve positive outcomes. Our shared consensus paves the way for increased collaboration and expertise-sharing, while also aligning policies to unify our efforts in advancing the agriculture and food sectors." she added.
During her speech, Al Dahak invited GCC countries to participate in the first edition of the World Food Security Summit, scheduled to be held in Abu Dhabi on 26th–27th November, 2024, as part of Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Security Week (ADAFSW).
The summit will bring together experts and decision-makers to discuss innovative solutions to strengthen the global food security system, providing a platform for exchanging best practices and showcasing advancements in the food security sector.
The 36th Ministerial Meeting of the Agricultural and Food Security Committee of the GCC addressed key issues to harmonise efforts for enhancing food security, including the GCC Food Security Strategy.
This strategy positively contributes to integrating procedures among member states to create a Gulf entity capable of withstanding crises.
The UAE also agreed with the GCC’s vision on several important files concerning the agriculture, aquaculture, and animal sectors.
Furthermore, the UAE endorsed the adoption of the GCC Guide for the Collection and Transport of Animal Samples as a reference, ensuring its alignment with international standards and safeguarding the GCC countries from epidemic and infectious animal diseases.
