Abu Dhabi is set to host the World Food Security Summit for the first time at the Adnec Centre Abu Dhabi from November 26-27, aimed at encouraging dialogue and practical steps towards building a sustainable global food system and eradicating hunger.

This summit, a part of the activities of Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Security Week (ADAFSW), summit, is being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the UAE, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (Adafsa).

Organised by Adnec Group, in strategic partnership with Adafsa, and UAE F&B Manufacturing Group (FBMG) as a knowledge partner, the summit seeks to attract a range of experts and decision-makers to discuss innovative solutions for strengthening the global food security system.

This will support international efforts to eliminate hunger and enhance the UAE's position as a platform for managing dialogues, discussions, and initiatives in global food security, a statement said.

The World Food Security Summit will address national, regional, and international issues, providing a platform to exchange best practices and innovations in the food security sector.

Saeed Al Bahri Salem Al Ameri, Director-General of Adafsa, said: "Food security is a major global challenge requiring the combined efforts and cooperation of all stakeholders worldwide to find innovative solutions to end hunger, a key UN Sustainable Development Goal.

Al Ameri said: "Our aim is to engage all stakeholders worldwide, particularly those from developing countries, as well as women and youth representatives, to share experiences, knowledge, and ideas through this summit.

“We will also showcase the UAE and Abu Dhabi's exceptional achievements in enhancing food security."

Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Group CEO of Adnec Group, said: "Organising the summit aligns with Adnec Group's strategy to support all national endeavours aimed at advancing the current and future state of the food security sector.

“We aim to create a global platform that attracts experts and specialists from across the globe to contribute to transferring and localising advanced technologies within the country. This will further solidify Abu Dhabi's position as a hub for creativity and innovation in these vital sectors.

"The summit's strategic importance is amplified by its timing alongside Adife and the Addpe, both of which are organised by Adnec Group. Together, they form a comprehensive system that showcases the latest innovations and technologies in the sector. They also facilitate the establishment of strategic partnerships between major global and local companies.”

Saleh Lootah, Chairman of FBMG, said the summit will include several themes and discussion sessions that will attract a select group of government officials, decision-makers, experts, and specialists from around the world to discuss the most prominent challenges facing this vital sector and find innovative solutions that contribute to reducing hunger.

The first edition of the World Food Security Summit will be incorporated into Adafsw activities. This coincides with the third edition of Adife 2024 and the tenth edition of Addpe 2024.

These events are organised by Capital Events, the event organising arm of Adnec Group. Record participation from major global companies specialising in these vital sectors is anticipated, alongside the launch of several new accompanying events.

According to estimates from relevant international organisations, over 783 million people worldwide, or nearly 10% of the global population, suffer from chronic hunger. This situation is worsening due to the escalating food insecurity crisis. More than 258 million people in 58 countries face acute food shortages, and experts warn of serious risks threatening an additional 130 million people with falling into the trap of acute hunger in the near future.

The Global Food Security Index (GFSI) shows that the crisis is likely to intensify, with food affordability declining by 4% between 2019 and 2022. This decline is attributed to several factors, most notably the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted supply chains and led to rising food prices. Additionally, increased production input costs, such as seeds and fertilisers, and geopolitical challenges like conflicts and wars in some regions, contribute to the problem.

The World Food Security Summit in Abu Dhabi is anticipated to attract a wide range of stakeholders from across the food system. This global summit, the largest of its kind, aims to strengthen cooperation between governments, the private sector, institutions, and multilateral organisations.

Ahead of the summit, Adafsa will organise a series of events and initiatives within the UAE. These initiatives aim to encourage participation from government and private sectors, civil society organisations, and various community groups, further enhancing the UAE’s strong track record in food security.

A prominent example of this is the National Food Security Strategy 2051. This strategy aims to make the UAE the global leader in GFSI by 2051.

Similarly, the recently launched AgriFood Growth and Water Abundance (AGWA) in Abu Dhabi acts as a comprehensive economic complex.

Strategic food security initiatives also include "Ne'ma", a national initiative to reduce food waste and loss is aimed at promoting responsible and sustainable consumption, reinforcing values and traditions related to social responsibility and effective management of national resources.

In addition, Adafsa has developed an integrated strategy to achieve global leadership in food security, including restructuring the agricultural sector to enhance sustainability, reduce environmental impacts and pressure on natural resources, ensure fair income for farmers, enhance their competitiveness in the market.

To achieve these targets, the authority has launched several supportive initiatives for both the plant and animal agricultural sectors, encouraging the use of modern agricultural technologies such as hydroponics and vertical farming to increase productivity, promoting investment in the agricultural sector. – TradeArabia News Service