Dr Mohammed Salman Al Hamadi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Food Diversity Sector at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, has affirmed that the UAE possesses a comprehensive, long-term strategic vision to strengthen food security, built on clear foundations aimed at cementing the country's position among the most advanced nations in this field, in pursuit of the targets set by the National Food Security Strategy 2051, which seeks to place the UAE at the forefront of global food security indicators.
Speaking during a television interview on Dubai TV, he explained that this vision rests on three interconnected main pillars that form the essential foundations for building a more sustainable, resilient food system capable of meeting future challenges.
He noted that the first pillar involves strengthening the partnership with the private sector as a principal partner in achieving national food security targets, stressing that food security is no longer the responsibility of any single entity but a shared responsibility requiring the integration of efforts between the public and private sectors. He added that the government's role centres on providing a legislative and regulatory environment that supports investment, stimulates quality projects, supports the growth of food industries, and enhances the efficiency and sustainability of supply chains under all circumstances.
He added that the second pillar focuses on adopting modern technology and deploying innovation in the agricultural and food sector — a field in which the country has made significant advances, establishing it as a global model for the application of smart agricultural solutions. He explained that modern technologies contribute to raising productivity and enhancing resource-use efficiency, particularly in the face of climate challenges and water scarcity.
He affirmed that the UAE today has globally pioneering projects in advanced agriculture, including the world's largest vertical farm for agricultural production, alongside ongoing investment in modern agricultural technologies that contribute to enhancing productivity and sustainability.
He explained that the third pillar is supporting the Emirati farmer, who is the cornerstone of the national food security system, noting that the state regards the farmer as a principal partner in achieving food sustainability.
He said efforts are focused on building an integrated support system for farmers, beginning with the provision of inputs, modern technologies, and agricultural guidance, continuing through support for production operations, and extending to marketing and ensuring that national products reach markets competitively, strengthening their presence and consumer confidence in them.
Al Hamadi affirmed that the results the UAE has achieved in global food security indicators reflect the success of this vision and the effectiveness of the policies and strategies implemented in recent years, noting that the country's regional leadership in the Global Food Security Index embodies the scale of efforts expended in this field.
He added that this achievement reflects the proactive vision of the wise leadership, which has placed food security among its national priorities and worked to develop an integrated system based on the diversification of import sources and supply chains and a multiplicity of trade partners, ensuring the availability of food products throughout the year at high quality, and enhancing the country's ability to cope with global changes and achieve food sustainability for future generations.