Abu Dhabi is set to play a growing role in harnessing global efforts to provide enough safe, nutritious food to an expanding population, one of the biggest challenges facing the world today.

 

The Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture (GFIA), an established annual event in the UAE capital, has been given an extra dimension that will reinforce endeavours in the emirates to inspire moves towards the elimination of hunger and poverty, said a statement.

 

When GFIA is held for a third year next February, it will run alongside VIV MEA, a new regional version of the highly successful livestock production events held in Europe and Asia which are helping to bring about a rethinking on global food security.

 

The move guarantees the presence of an additional 3,000 food producers with specific interests in poultry production at an event attracting global thought leaders and entrepreneurs to showcase the latest innovations to achieve food security.

 

Ali Yousef Al Saad, acting director of Communication and Community Service at Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, said: “The co-hosting of these important international events in Abu Dhabi underlines the commitment of the UAE to drive a global dialogue on food security and climate resilience.

 

“We live in a water-constrained region and must use these forums to enhance our contribution to the development and implementation of smart solutions for increased food production.”

 

“GFIA is quite unique in that it attracts stakeholders right across the agricultural value chain. This means Abu Dhabi becomes the stage for the whole mix of people needed to change systems at large – scientists, inventors, farmers, investors, food producers, NGOs, supply chain and government. This makes it such an important event,” said Al Saad.

 

The exhibition and conference at GFIA will feature more than 300 next-generation agricultural solutions that could shape the future of sustainable farming around the world.

 

Taking place in tandem with VIV MEA at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec) from February 16 to 18, GFIA is seen as an increasingly important event by experts who emphasise that, while food and agricultural sectors are central to eradicating hunger and poverty, current farming practices and climate change are putting pressure on our natural resources.

 

Mark Beaumont, project director of the combined GFIA exhibition and conference, said: “No organisation alone has the ability to solve these challenges, but cooperation across business, politics, academia and civil society is critical to changing systems at scale.

 

“The key is to bring together public decision-makers, private sector champions and civil society leaders who develop and catalyze innovations for sustainable agriculture. Through cross-sector collaboration, we can bring about a food-secure future, and the prominent role the UAE has taken on this issue makes Abu Dhabi a perfect stage.

 

“We’re very excited to be joining forces with VIV MEA and the timing is perfect. Growing urbanisation, rapid growth in the tourism sector and increasingly globalised diets are seeing a significant increase in the demand for livestock products in this region. The UAE and other Middle East countries want to produce food and not just import it, so investments in the food production sector are increasing all the time.”

 

Together, GFIA and VIV MEA are expected to host more than 500 exhibitors of innovative technology, making Abu Dhabi home to the largest agricultural event in the region.

 

Meanwhile, an online exhibitor marketplace will allow exhibitors to showcase products to visitors exactly what products they can buy. - TradeArabia News Service