Dubai launched the seventh Future Food Forum today, bringing together global industry leaders under the patronage of the Ministry of Economy and Tourism to strengthen food security, accelerate innovation, and position the UAE as a global hub for trade and investment.
Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri inaugurated the two-day event, highlighting the Forum’s role in supporting the country’s economic diversification strategy. He pointed to the National Policy for Economic Clusters, formalised earlier this year, which aims to add more than AED 30 billion to the economy by boosting interconnected industries, including food.
Bin Touq emphasised the UAE’s commitment to building a resilient food sector grounded in innovation and sustainability. He cited the UAE Food Cluster and the Food Innovation Hub, launched at COP28, as key initiatives driving transformation through technologies such as vertical farming, hydroponics, and precision agriculture.
The UAE Food Cluster, established under the National Food Security Strategy 2051, has already engaged over 700 partners and set targets to grow the sector’s GDP contribution from AED 30 billion to AED 40 billion by 2028, expand food trade to AED 40 billion, and create 20,000 new jobs.
This year’s Forum also marked the launch of the Knowledge Hub to connect academia and industry, and the Global Buyers Programme to expand international access for UAE producers. A key announcement was the signing of an MoU between GS1 Emirates Limited and UAE Food Cluster CLG FZCO to create a universal product catalogue, improving traceability, fraud prevention, and regulatory compliance across the food and beverage sector.
With strategic discussions, CEO sessions, and partnerships, the Forum is reinforcing the UAE’s leadership in shaping global food systems while driving innovation at home.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
