DUBAI, UAE – UAE Ministry of Climate Change and the Environment (MOCCAE) on Tuesday organized the second National Dialogue for Food Security.
This comes in line with the ministry’s keenness to implement its strategies to enhance national food security in the UAE, understand the key challenges facing the country’s poultry industry, and propose solutions to create opportunities for development and sustainability in this industry.
The National Dialogue for Food Security was attended by Sheikh Hamed bin Khadem bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the UAE Poultry Producers Federation, and Mohammed Al Ameeri, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Food Diversity Sector in MOCCAE.
The dialogue, which lasts for two days, was also attended by poultry industry experts and representatives of various federal and local government entities, government specialists from local veterinary authorities in the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority and the municipalities of the country.
Representatives of the UAE Poultry Breeders Association, private sector companies, and top poultry breeders in the country were also in attendance.
The National Dialogue for Food Security, which was launched by the MOCCAE last March, aims to discuss various challenges and topics that contribute to enhancing food security for the UAE.
The MOCCAE seeks to enhance its role in leading national efforts in preparation for the UAE’s hosting of COP28 later this year, thereby highlighting the country’s efforts in enhancing its food security in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner.
During his speech at the launch of the second National Dialogue for Food Security, Mohammed Al Ameeri affirmed that poultry is one of the key vital sources of protein and nutrients for humans, and the poultry industry plays a significant role in feeding humans worldwide.
He said that the UAE pays special attention to developing the poultry industry to enhance its food security, according to the National Food Security Strategy.
He added, “The ministry has been keen to develop and implement strategies that ensure the enhancement of food security and implement strategic directions in this regard, which include poultry and its products as one of the main pillars of the country’s food basket.”
Al Ameeri said, “The current global challenges that significantly affect food supplies in general, and poultry in particular – in addition to the global pandemic and diseases like avian influenza – have hurt supply chains.”
He said, “We in the ministry have been keen for the ‘National Dialogue for Food Security’ to be an inclusive umbrella that brings together all relevant parties to exchange experiences and visions that come out with innovative solutions to enhance our food security.”
He added, “We discuss poultry to examine the challenges and opportunities for this industry. Together, we can create greater opportunities and ensure the sustainability of the poultry industry and food supplies.”
During the second National Dialogue for Food Security, the MOCCAE team reviewed the national strategy for food security and its main strategic directions, which include ensuring the sustainability of food supplies and their main varieties, including animal products, poultry, meat, and eggs.
The MOCCAE team also reviewed UAE’s vision in the next stage to lead the global food security index by 2051.
The UAE Poultry Breeders Association also reviewed its strategic vision to increase production and quality according to international standards.
The dialogue discussed the challenges facing the poultry industry in the country. Important legislation related to the poultry industry was also reviewed.
The attendees discussed the global pandemic, which affects the trade of poultry and related products, and the most critical measures that should be followed to avoid its negative impacts on the country.
They also discussed ways to reduce water consumption in the industry.
The dialogue discussed ways to diversify the import of poultry and ensure that it complies with the standards and specifications in the UAE.
The dialogue also shed light on the importance of jointly working with relevant government bodies and the private sector to increase the production of poultry products, eggs, reduce production costs etc.
They also discussed increasing investment in supply chain and protecting local products.