Dubai: – Food security concerns, Agri-tech trends, and managing a world in transition were just three of the issues Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri, Minister of State for Future Food Security, discussed on her visit to the United States, which took place from April 29 to May 3, 2018 to attend and address participants at the Milken Institutes’ Global Conference 2018

The visit formed part of H.E. Almheiri’s efforts to examine the challenges and opportunities around food production in an era characterised by rapid changes. Among the issues addressed during the programme was the food security challenges at a global and local levels. “Providing adequate food for the world’s citizens is a pressing global problem that requires an international approach and my visit to the United States provides the perfect opportunity to share points of view and experiences in that regard,” H.E. Almheiri said.

“We are living in an era of increased pressures on food production stemming from a host of interlocking challenges – from accelerating climate change to dwindling fresh water access and escalating energy demands,” H.E. added, citing studies indicating that nearly a billion people around the world are under threat from encroaching deserts.

“That said, despite the challenges surrounding food security, it is not all gloom and doom for the sector. New technologies are emerging that promise to increase efficiency and output. Increased international cooperation fosters more fluid transition of agricultural products across borders, which, in turn, allows one country or region to aid another in addressing shortages,” H.E. concluded. “Investments in aquaculture, renewable energy, and agri-tech have allowed the UAE to make great strides towards sustainable food security. It is our hope that the technologies we pioneer in the UAE can be transferred to other nations facing the same food security challenges as us, especially those in desert and arid countries.”

The first three days of the Minister’s visit saw her participation in the global conference of the Milken Institute, a non-profit think tank that works to increase global prosperity by advancing collaborative solutions that widen access to capital, create jobs, and improve health

“I was honoured to join a discussion during the Milken Institute Global Conference, where my fellow panellists and I looked at the challenges preventing us from ramping up food production,” H.E. explained, referring to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) projection that farmland can only be increased by another two percent. “We examined how advances in agricultural technology and new production systems like vertical farming can help increase yields to ensure a sustainable, affordable and nutritious food supply.”

With its programme formulated to cover a wide range of global food security issues, the Milken Institute Global Conference’s panel discussions included sessions titled ‘Global Food Industry Leaders Building a Healthier Future,’ ‘Eating Right: Achieving Maximum Wellness Through Nutrition,’ ‘Meat and More: The Power of Protein,’ ‘Innovating the Future of Food: Disruptors Leading a Health Revolution’ and ‘Call to Action: The Scientific Case for a Better Food System.’ The forum also provided attendees with networking opportunities where they were able to share expertise from their respective food security spheres.

H.E. Almheiri’s Office for Future Food Security is currently engaged in developing the National Food Security Strategy to establish a whole-of-country framework and key pillars to ensure food security in the UAE in both the short and long term. The plan is being developed in collaboration with all state actors, prominent decision makers, academics and experts from the government and private sectors who are collaborating to set sustainable, long-term policies for future food security in the UAE.

-End-

© Press Release 2018