Mariam Almheiri: The UAE is a Leading Supporter of international efforts to end hunger

Dubai, United Arab Emirates:– Her Excellency Mariam Almheiri, Minister of State for Food Security, witnessed the UAE’s announcement to cooperate with the UN’s Committee on World Food Security by offering financial support to achieve the committee’s objectives for 2020-2023, in coordination with the UN’s FAO Sub-Regional Office in Abu Dhabi.

The announcement came during an event held on the sidelines of H.E. Almheiri’s participation in the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)’s 46th session of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS), which is currently taking place at the FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, running until October 18, 2019.

Following the announcement, which was made in the presence of H.E. Mario Arvelo, Chairman of the CFS, H.E. Almheiri expressed the UAE’s commitment to cooperating with the CFS as part of its long-standing strategic partnership that sees it playing an important role in efforts to achieve food security for all nations.

For his part, Arvelo commended the UAE for assisting the CFS in developing programmes and projects to achieve world food security, underlining the UAE’s status as a pioneer in driving international efforts towards improving quality of life across the globe.

On the second day of the CFS’s 46th session, H.E. Almheiri gave an address in which she highlighted the challenges caused by climate change, desertification, water scarcity and other environmental problems that are standing in the way of achieving food security in the Arab world. She reaffirmed that the UAE is making concerted efforts to achieve the highest food security rates internationally, and is striving to overcome hurdles by utilising modern technology, innovative solutions and sustainable methods of agriculture.

“Sustainable agriculture has become a necessity to advance international efforts to combat climate changes. Conventional agricultural methods generate high levels of harmful emissions and this requires us to enhance research and development to generate agricultural solutions that save water and energy, especially as the world’s population is expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050. According to the latest projections, greenhouse emissions will double by 2030, unless the international community finds radical solutions to address this problem,” H.E. Almheiri stated.

“In addition to enabling all citizens and residents to have access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food for an active and healthy life at affordable prices at all times, including emergencies and crises, the UAE’s National Food Security Strategy aims to drive innovation and find practical solutions to improve food systems through the use of modern technology. One of our main objectives is launching technology-driven agricultural projects to overcome adverse conditions and reduce harmful emissions. Our latest efforts include the Global FoodTech Challenge; a global competition that aims to identify and implement sustainable and technology-driven solutions across the value chain that enhance the UAE’s food security and self-sufficiency at the national, community and household levels.,” Her Excellency added.

Her Excellency stressed the importance of unifying research and development efforts and supporting the integration of the sustainability concept across all food sectors, as well as working closely with local and international partners to combat climate change.

During her participation in the 46th CFS session, H.E. Almheiri met with H.E. David Beasley, Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), to discuss future collaborations and to reiterate that the UAE’s Office of Food Security is committed to providing all necessary support to ensure the success of the WFP’s initiatives in the UAE and the world. Much of the discussions centred on the office’s partnership with the WFP to launch its global-scale ‘#Stop the Waste’ campaign, which aims to raise global awareness of food preservation and reduce the quantities of food being thrown away.

Beasley highlighted the UAE’s role as a leading partner in supporting the WFP’s activities in the Middle East and other parts of the world, underlining his desire to strengthen their fruitful partnership, which, he said, serves as a testament to the UAE leadership’s keenness to step up international efforts to eradicate hunger.

H.E. Almheiri also met H.E. Gilbert Houngbo, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), to explore avenues of collaboration on future projects. At the meeting, H.E. Almheiri saluted IFAD’s tremendous efforts to combat hunger, provide food assistance and support communities to bolster their food production capacity. For his turn, the president praised the UAE’s pivotal role in supporting IFAD’s investments and efforts across its agricultural and developmental projects in many countries. He also expressed his wish to expand IFAD’s collaboration with the UAE towards realising IFAD’s goals to develop rural life around the world.

Also on the sidelines of the 46th CFS, H.E. Almheiri held talks with a group of prominent international officials and partners to look into plans to enhance cooperation and launch joint projects that contribute to achieving global food security, in line with the UN’s efforts to promote international cooperation.

-Ends-

© Press Release 2019

Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.

The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.