Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak Al Shamsi, the UAE Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, underscored the UAE's commitment to aligning with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) goals during the 36th Ministerial Meeting of the Agricultural and Food Security Committee.
Hosted by Qatar, the meeting focused on enhancing regional food security through greater cooperation and policy harmonisation among GCC member states.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Al Dahak praised the GCC General Secretariat's role in advancing Gulf-wide integration, emphasizing the importance of unified efforts in food security. She highlighted the UAE's ongoing initiatives to strengthen agricultural and food sectors, in line with President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s directives. These efforts include bridging gaps between sustainable agriculture, aquaculture, and food security, and promoting investment in modern agricultural technologies.
"The UAE remains dedicated to fostering collaboration to diversify food sources and build a resilient food system,"
Dr. Al Dahak stated. She pointed out shared challenges among GCC states, such as water scarcity and limited arable land, as opportunities for cooperative action and sustainable practice exchange.
Dr. Al Dahak invited GCC nations to participate in the World Food Security Summit, set for Abu Dhabi on November 26–27, 2024. This summit, part of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Security Week, will focus on innovative solutions to global food security challenges and offer a platform for best practice sharing.
The meeting also saw agreement on the GCC Food Security Strategy and the adoption of the GCC Guide for the Collection and Transport of Animal Samples, ensuring alignment with international standards and enhancing disease prevention measures across member states.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
