Food Security is National Priority with Aim to Reduce Food Imports to 50% by 2050
The sixth edition of Future Food Forum 2024 was recently opened by HE Abdullah Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, underlining the UAE’s pivotal role in the regional food sector and the Food Cluster Strategy in enhancing food security and sustainability through public-private collaboration.
The two-day event was organised by UAE Food & Beverage Business Group F&B Business Group (F&B Group) under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Economy, focusing on the theme ‘Future Consumer, Future Government, and Future Food’ in strategic partnership with the Dubai Chamber and features FoodTech Valley as an organising partner.
In his inaugural address, HE Al Marri emphasised the significance of the UAE’s Food Cluster Strategy, which was launched at last year’s Forum. “With more than 15 working sessions and 300 participants, over 20 actionable initiatives are currently in design, which include Made in the UAE Food, Agri-Science Universities, Ecosystem Data Sharing platforms, Value Chain Finance Programs, and Food Fraud and Shield Programs,” he stated.
Initiatives
He reaffirmed that these initiatives aim to increase the food sector’s contribution to the UAE’s GDP by US$ 10bn and create 20,000 jobs by 2030, and said, “The UAE’s commitment to food security is evident from the fact that UAE has placed food security as a national priority, since the 2007 global food crisis. We are proud of our progress in domestic food production, with the aim of reducing food imports from 90% to 50% by mid-century,” he continued.
HE Al Marri highlighted the growth potential of the GCC food and beverage sector, which is expected to hit US$ 128bn by 2029, and urged the industry to harness this momentum to drive the UAE’s cluster strategy further.
“In line with the UAE Food & Agricultural Transformation Strategy, we are well on track to increase food sector contribution to the GDP by US$10 billion and create more than 20,000 jobs. This growth should not remain a statistic—it represents livelihoods, opportunities, and a sustainable future for our country. Together, we can innovate for a sustainable tomorrow and ensure that the UAE remains a global leader in food security,” he concluded.
A Virtual Ecosystem for Data and Partnerships
One of the key announcements, as F&B Group Chairman Saleh Abdullah Lootah opened the event, was the launch of the UAE Foodverse by the F&B Group. This innovative virtual platform aims to transform the nation’s food ecosystem by offering real-time data, fostering collaborations, and creating partnerships within the industry.
The Foodverse will bridge the gap between industry stakeholders, enabling seamless information sharing and more strategic decision-making in the food sector.
“UAE Foodverse is a revolutionary metaverse platform designed to connect the global F&B industry virtually. As part of the UAE’s Food Cluster Strategy, the Foodverse will foster collaboration, innovation, and trade within a virtual environment,” remarked Saleh Lootah.
The Future Food Forum 2024 featured a dynamic agenda addressing critical topics in the food and beverage industry, tackling the GCC’s response to the global food crisis, with insights from industry leaders.
