Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is collaborating with the UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) on sustainable agriculture and climate change initiatives, with a focus on ensuring a food secure future across the globe.
In an interview with Aletihad, Dr. Kayan Akram Jaff, Senior Advisor and Head of Mission for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Subregional Office (FAO-SNG) for the Gulf Cooperation Council States and Yemen, said that FAO works with local organisations to improve food security and sustainability by focusing on innovative practices and aquaculture technology, contributing to both regional and global food security goals.
He noted that the UAE has the experience, governance, expertise, and political goodwill to aid the organisation both financially and through active engagement in international forums.
Dr. Jaff said the UAE has been a significant supporter of the FAO since the days of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who was honoured with the prestigious Goodwill Ambassador Award in 1995.
“Since then, we have maintained a close relationship with the United Arab Emirates that has enabled us to be here today. The presence of the FAO in Abu Dhabi is a testament to this relationship. Additionally, the UAE has generously supported resilience-based activities, such as efforts in Sudan, and we are currently working closely with them to support our activities in Yemen,” he said.
FAO provides national-level policy advice on food security and safety to the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), and facilitates closer ties between the UAE and FAO in international meetings and conferences, Dr. Jaff said.
Public-Private PartnershipsMoving on to major challenges in adopting sustainable practices in the GCC, Dr. Jaff stated that severe water scarcity, high temperatures, and soil degradation. FAO tackles these issues by promoting climate-resilient crops, advocating for sustainable land management, and supporting drought-resistant agricultural practices, he added.
FAO and the UAE prioritise agricultural investment for food security, sustainability, as well as climate change adaptation, converging on capacity building and knowledge transfer to farmers.
He affirmed that public-private partnerships (PPPs) play a vital role in accelerating sustainable agricultural development. “The UAE and FAO have successfully engaged in such partnerships, like the collaboration with Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) in Nigeria, which significantly improved food security for 58,000 people through agricultural inputs, training, and field schools,” Dr. Jaff said.
A UAE-funded project in Liberia, implemented by FAO, has enhanced the lives of 2,000 farmers with solar-powered irrigation and cold storage solutions, spotlighting the impact of these partnerships.
Addressing Food WasteHe noted that the UAE’s strong private sector provides valuable insights for effective communication and partnership. FAO aims to adapt its approach to align with private sector priorities, seeking the UAE’s guidance in translating its strategy globally.
Dr. Jaff mentioned that FAO is promoting water-saving technologies and sustainable agriculture in the GCC, embracing precision irrigation systems and water-efficient farming techniques, aligning with the UAE’s Water Security Strategy 2036 to reduce water demand and enhance agricultural resilience.
Discussing the FAO’s efforts in addressing food waste , Dr. Jaff said: “The FAO is dedicated to combating food waste and loss through a range of initiatives and partnerships. Our subregional office for the GCC states and Yemen will participate in the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste on September 26th, organised by Dubai Municipality. This participation underscores our commitment to addressing these critical issues.”
The event serves as a crucial platform for raising awareness, sharing best practices, and promoting effective strategies to enhance food security and sustainability, he said.
Dr. Jaff stressed that FAO collaborates with GCC governments and international partners to address food insecurity and boost local food production through technical assistance, policy reforms, as well as sustainable practices, integrating advanced technologies and innovative solutions.
In this regard he also mentioned the FAO’s participation in World Food Day, annually marked on October 16. “This annual event focuses on raising awareness about hunger, food security, and sustainable agricultural practices,” he said.
He added that the FAO draws attention to food security challenges and sustainable solutions on World Food Day to mobilise collective action.
Digital Solutions for Arid EnvironmentsFocusing on technology, Dr. Jaff explained that the FAO leverages advanced tools like precision farming, remote sensing, and artificial intelligence to enhance agricultural efficiency and food production in the GCC.
In partnership with the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), the FAO supports research on digital solutions for arid environments.
He pointed out that remote sensing technologies are being used across the UAE, GCC, and broader Near East and North Africa regions to improve pest detection accuracy and promote sustainable agricultural practices, thereby boosting productivity.
He also highlighted the significant role of technology at COP28, where FAO took a leading position among UN entities. The event in Dubai was a major success, backed by a strong team from FAO’s climate change division in Rome. Following COP27, COP28 facilitated the promotion of the UAE’s presidency and its message, transforming it into technological advancements.
“When it comes to technology, we try to bring innovative solutions that the FAO has developed, such as climate-smart agriculture,” he said.
He also underscored the relevance of vertical agriculture, which involves farming on rooftops or in backyards, as part of this innovation.
Dr. Jaff further elaborated on the importance of climate-smart agriculture in arid environments like the UAE.
Innovative strategies take into account using technology such as greenhouses and reusing water, including condensation from air conditioners, which can help mitigate water scarcity and enhance agricultural production, he said.
Speaking about Emirati youth and their role in creating a food secure future, Dr. Jaff said: “My hope is to have more Emirati nationals working in this office. I am very hopeful, through the leadership of this country, that they have a vision for bringing in young men and women, as the youth are the future. I want to work closely with the leadership, which has a programme encouraging nationals to work with international organisations.
"My idea is to bring educated young Emiratis to an organisation like the FAO, where they can launch their careers not just in Abu Dhabi, but across the FAO’s 150 global offices.”
He underlined that their new vision is to bring added value to the region by establishing centres of excellence focused on water scarcity, environmental change, and sustainable development goals. These centres of excellence will offer policy and technical advice specifically addressing the region’s challenges. He stated that the overarching goal is to deliver a message of hope, especially to countries grappling with crises like natural disasters and wars.
