Page 850 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - OCTOBER 2024

UAE Food, Agri-Science Universities, Ecosystem Data Sharing platforms, Value Chain Finance
Programs, and Food Fraud and Shield Programs.”

He reaffirmed that these initiatives aim to increase the food sector’s contribution to the UAE's GDP
by US$10 billion 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 percent by mid-century,"

He further outlined the key pillars of the UAE’s food security, which is anchored in fostering
innovation through world-class R&D and nurturing future food disruptors who will grow into global
champions, as well as embedding sustainable practices across the food production value chain to
ensure the protection of our environment for future generations.

Al Marri highlighted the growth potential of the GCC food and beverage sector, which is expected to
hit US$128 billion 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 high-level ministerial discussion on the Food Cluster strategy saw vital ministries, including the
Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, Ministry of Economy, and Ministry of Climate
Change and Environment, convening to explore policy reforms, collaboration, and investment in the
sector. The strategy emphasises the inclusion of a diverse range of stakeholders, including
government authorities, industry leaders, universities, and research institutions. One of the central
goals is to foster knowledge transfer, maximise the contributions of all players, and address
industry challenges through innovative ideas and research and development (R&D).

The meeting focused on ongoing initiatives aimed at driving collaboration and innovation in the food
sector. A key outcome was the proposed governing board for the food cluster to enable the effective
execution of the food cluster strategy. This board will monitor the implementation of strategic
initiatives, align the goals of the industry with national economic priorities, and play a critical role in
integrating scientific research and innovation into the industry, ensuring that stakeholders are
continuously engaged in developing new approaches. It emphasised the importance of creating a
self-driven initiative led by the industry, with government facilitation, to ensure its long-term
success and scalability.

Opening the meeting, Abdullah Ahmad Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy, said,
“The idea behind creating the clusters is to enable dialogues between all the stakeholders,
including universities, scientists, research institutions and ministries, to ensure food security in the
future. As an import-heavy country, we know that there are a number of things that we, as a key
sector, can do to enhance food security and supply chain, increase export, protect our market and
practical policies. These topics should be openly discussed between the stakeholders.”

https://www.wam.ae/en/article/b5hbei0-minister-economy-opens-future-food-forum-2024