SIAL supports UAE's food security strategy

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan visits the Japan Pavillion during the 9th edition of SIAL Middle East held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre on Monday. - Photo by Ryan Lim

The UAE serves as a unique model for sustainable development and SIAL Middle East offers a wealth of opportunities to help the country meet its growing food demand while preserving its resources for future generations, ministers said in Abu Dhabi.
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA), opened the ninth edition of SIAL Middle East, and Abu Dhabi Date Palm Exhibition. He also launched the ADFCA's mobile application aimed at automating the food monitoring process through shifting from inspection to verification.
"Under the directives of its wise leadership, the UAE has shaped and endorsed a unique model that strikes a fine balance between economic growth and the conservation of natural resources to achieve sustainable development. The model ensures that the nation's production activities avoid depleting its natural resources, reflecting the concept of development championed by the Founding Father of the UAE, late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, to safeguard the country's continued progress and prosperity."
SIAL Middle East offers a wealth of opportunities to help the UAE meet its growing food demand while preserving its resources for future generations.
"The UAE's National Food Security Strategy 2051 seeks to strengthen regional and global partnerships, and step up the country's efforts to address the challenges posed by climate change, water scarcity, decline in arable land in dry areas, and continued population growth. The strategy focuses on devising innovative and smart solutions to measure up to the magnitude of existing food security challenges and keep pace with the emerging ones."
Minister of Climate Change and Environment Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi said hosting events such as SIAL Middle East offers a platform for sharing best global practices and innovations in food production advances the UAE's drive towards food sustainability.
"Achieving sustainability across all sectors is a top priority on the UAE's agenda, as evidenced by the UAE Vision 2021, and the food industry is a target area of our sustainability efforts. In line with this priority, we have devised a host of plans and strategies to promote the implementation of modern agricultural practices that ensure a high yield of healthy crops without draining our natural resources."
Minister of State for Food Security Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Al Mehairi said the UAE pursues a strategy of enhancing local agricultural production and promoting foreign investments in agriculture. "To strengthen its food security system, the UAE has stepped up efforts to ensure a sustained supply of essential food items at all times and under any circumstances." - ashwani@khaleejtimes.com