Page 852 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - OCTOBER 2024

10/14/24, 9:50 AM H.E. Abdullah Bin Touq Al Marri Opens Future Food Forum 2024, says Food Security is National Priority with Aim to Reduce Food …
H.E. Abdullah Bin Touq Al Marri Opens Future Food

Forum 2024, says Food Security is National Priority with

Aim to Reduce Food Imports to 50% by 2050

DUBAI/GULF TIME

The sixth edition of Future Food Forum 2024 was opened on Wednesday by His Excellency 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 is 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. Hosted at the Le
Meridien Airport Hotel in Dubai, the event is also supported by the Abu Dhabi Food Hub and DP World. Future Food Forum
has evolved into a platform driving policy and sector leadership in the UAE’s economy through innovation, sustainability, and
emerging technology.
In his inaugural address, H.E. Al Marri emphasised the significance of the UAE’s Food Cluster Strategy, which was launched
at last year’s Forum. He said, “We have worked closely with the F&B Group and industry leaders to advance the clustering
process. 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 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% 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.
H.E. 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

https://gulftime.ae/h-e-abdullah-bin-touq-al-marri-opens-future-food-forum-2024-says-food-security-is-national-priority-with-aim-to-reduce-food-imports-… 1/3