His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, confirmed that the food security system in the UAE has proven effective in light of the spread of the Corona Virus epidemic around the world, pointing to continuing to strengthen this system through qualitative capabilities and initiatives to enable it to Dealing with various conditions.
His Highness said that despite the challenges facing the whole world - and we are part of it - the food supply chain in the UAE during these circumstances - God willing - has not and will not be affected whether it is in local production or strategic stock or through import from abroad, and His Highness added: « We assure everyone that the process of providing food in the UAE is sustainable and food security is a top priority for the country. ”
This came in an intervention by His Highness during his participation - remotely - in a lecture organized by the Mohammed bin Zayed Council today under the title "Food Security in the Emirates" and presented by the Minister of State responsible for the file of food security Maryam Bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Al Muhairi and highlighted during it the concept of food security that It represents a national priority and the effectiveness of the integrated food security system in the state and its flexibility in dealing with challenges and crises and the importance of society contributing to its promotion by adopting the correct purchasing behaviors and preserving resources and not wasting them as well as benefiting from experiences and crises in testing the effectiveness of our food systems Its readiness to face challenges in different circumstances.
Also attended the lecture by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs and a number of officials concerned with the file of food security in the country.
The Mohammed bin Zayed Council will launch its lectures this year in a new outfit within the series of Ramadan lectures that it organizes in the framework of its keenness to continue communication with members of society, which is accustomed annually during this holy month by hosting a group of lecturers and thinkers who present various topics and issues of interest to society groups, While the lecture broadcasts the Emirates Channel and the Council of Mohammed bin Zayed Council on YouTube, in line with the precautionary measures implemented by the state during these circumstances to preserve the safety of society.
Al-Muhairi said at the beginning of the lecture: “I am pleased to join you today in the Mohammed bin Zayed Council ... to discuss an important and vital topic which is food security.” .. And I defined what is meant by food security as ensuring that all citizens in the state can obtain safe, nutritious and adequate food at a reasonable price in all Times including emergency and crisis.
She emphasized that the file of food security has always been an important topic for the United Arab Emirates, explaining that the source of obtaining food in the country from two different channels is import and local production and given the difficult environmental conditions in the country in terms of water scarcity and the lack of cultivable areas we have managed over the past years From creating the appropriate infrastructure to ensure that a large portion of our food is imported.
She pointed out that most of the foodstuffs in the UAE come from importing, and during the past years, the appropriate infrastructure was established to ensure this and secure the needs of more than 200 nationalities living in the UAE. She noted the vision of the leadership of the country where they always believed that the issue of food security Very important and a national priority for the country. She added, "We in the Emirates have benefited from previous experiences and learned many lessons from them, and therefore we must always think that every crisis makes us stronger and enhances our capabilities related to food systems."
The minister pointed out that ten years ago the UAE took steps to ensure its preparedness and ability to deal with crises better. First, it established an alliance for food security consisting of 14 national companies that placed significant investments in agricultural production, food supply chains and food processing inside and outside the UAE, and secondly it built national strategic stocks For basic food commodities, something that has already been done but is always ongoing to ensure that the needs of the growing population are secured, and thirdly, in 2017, the food security file was assigned to a Minister of State.
She said that the establishment of the Office of Food Security has strengthened our relevant capabilities and stressed that the issue of food security was given the importance and attention required by all stakeholders in the country..In 2017, my team and I developed the National Food Security Strategy in cooperation with all concerned in the country, and therefore the UAE now has a plan that includes More than 38 initiatives and programs to ensure food security for the Emirates, not only today but also during crises and in the future, explaining that one of the strategic directions in this strategy is to ensure preparedness for emergencies and crises.
Al-Muhairi added that work on this file during the past years was taking place extensively and passing through this crisis is a test of the effectiveness of our systems..and this strategy represents the sound basis for the ability to overcome this crisis, and indicated that when the crisis began weeks ago we were able to deal with it quickly so as to ensure Food chains do not stop in the Emirates and we are keen to take the necessary measures to ensure that there is no gap in the supply chains.
She said that over the years we developed the strategy and plan and also established a body represented in the «Emirates Council for Food Security, which includes all federal bodies and local authorities that have a role in the field of food security and this council is the guiding authority for the implementation of the strategy and its programs, and when the crisis started I called as president of the council to hold An extraordinary hypothetical meeting with all parties where we discussed all current events and the existence of this council and communication with all parties concerned quickly and effectively was necessary at this time, and we developed many follow-up mechanisms so we started looking at global supply chains and you Of the food budget for the world which shows what types of food available for export and use in the global market and we began to consider the report of the agricultural market information system, which tells us about the development of agricultural crops.
Al-Muhairi added that looking at global supply chains was the first thing, but we also had to understand what is happening on our borders at the entry points from which food enters, so we put in place an early warning mechanism to ensure knowledge of food commodities entering the country and whether the supply continues and in the expected quantities or not? We were also keen on understanding the size and capacity of local production, as not all local producers work at full capacity .. But we wanted to understand their potential potential so that we know in the event of a break in the goods that we need to increase locally..and we also made contact with the food security alliance companies to make sure they are ready to bring Food from outside the Emirates.
She stressed that due to the interruptions resulting from the stoppage of passenger planes, the government provided support to the food sector and was keen to provide private aircraft, as the national airlines were ready to implement special flights to ensure the exchange of food and drug supplies between countries, all of these were quick decisions and this was because we were the most It was possible to prepare for this crisis and we had data protocols ready so that decision makers could make their decisions quickly.
She thanked all the members of the Emirates Council for Food Security for their efforts and support in this crisis, stressing that efforts are continuing and what is happening in the market to make sure that the shelves of shopping centers are always full for our people here in the Emirates.
She said: «We saw that food is available around the world..but we also saw some interruptions in air and sea shipping..We took the necessary measures and contacted with national air freight companies and seaports and set up alternative paths and we shared all this information with the merchants so close communication with all parties Very important, as it was important to communicate with global institutions as well as communicate with society. It is necessary, when going through a crisis, to make sure people are aware of what is happening where we encourage things like urging the public not to buy food commodities in excess of their need and to eat healthy foods to boost the immune system , Has seen We had a sudden rise in the demand for oranges, for example, because everyone wanted to get (Vitamin C). Strengthening the immune system means building the first line of defense, so we were able to communicate with the public and certainly do not forget that we have been in the past years, but since the establishment of the Emirates, we have built strong partnerships and ties with Other governments, and this is also thanks to our leadership, who built and strengthened these partnerships until they paid off in times like these. ”
She emphasized that the UAE has established strong partnerships and ties with its countries since its inception, and this is also thanks to our leadership that built and strengthened these partnerships until they paid off in times like these. When we started seeing those interruptions we were able to face them and we were keen to fill our shelves with food and that there was no need for panic as there is enough Of food for everyone..and this comes certainly through continuous communication with the concerned parties. We do not forget all the ministries concerned with this matter, economy, climate change, education, health and foreign affairs, which all participated and played their role in the field of food security.
She stressed that what we must be keen on in this or another crisis is learning and dealing with it as a new opportunity to build a stronger and more flexible system, so over the past weeks the communication between me and my team on the one hand and between us and all concerned on the other hand was stronger than before, so we now use the meetings Virtualization, which is something we did not do much before, but now we are talking with ministers in other countries and international institutions, all of whom are now on the call across the screen to communicate with them, where we avoid the travel costs for example to another country or the costs of housing there, so this crisis helps us to look In those opportunities that we can build on, wa The same thing applies here to the field of food security, we have to encourage things like eating local food, many do not know this, but the Emirates is growing a lot of food types, for example, in cooperation with Dubai Post, my team and I have published a series of videos reviewing some of the agricultural technology companies in the Emirates and Which grows many kinds of food locally .. These foods are delicious because they are fresh, but they are full of nutrients, so we encourage the public to buy local goods and market the products of the local market..this is also an opportunity for local producers to grow more, and do not forget the important role of technology in enabling food production locally.
She pointed out that the Office of Food Security has put in place many initiatives to enhance agricultural technologies in the UAE and this is the golden time for those who use the technology to grow their food because it is a sustainable and effective way and builds a strong system, we can work on it to start growing more food in the Emirates .. I am pleased and honored that I I will lead a team to develop a new sector of agricultural technology in the Emirates, which was announced by the Council of Ministers just two days ago ... this sector will be vital to enhance food security in the future.
She said: “I grew up respecting food, and each of us has a responsibility not to waste it, because the more food we waste, the more we need it..and as we all know, there are still more than 800 million people sleeping without food every day .. so we have to take great care in how much food we throw In the garbage, we try to reduce waste to the minimum, and encourage society to adopt better eating and health habits. ”
She added: “We all learn day after day in any sector in which we work .. We learn and understand from crises such as the importance of communication and partnership and not to forget the human element that we must all think about in this crisis.” She expressed the extent of her thanks and appreciation to the workers in the front lines of Brave men and women who risk their lives and sacrifice their time with their families to do their work and keep us safe. I mean not only doctors, nurses and the police but also those who work in "supermarkets", and farmers are also working on the front lines to ensure that food is brought to the market so that people can M Consumption and maintain their health, and boost your immune defenses to express this crisis, and we are stronger.
She said: “I know that many of you are worried, but I want to assure you that we are doing everything we can to make sure that food is available to everyone in the UAE.” She indicated that we have three sun, sand and sea resources, and I hope that using these three resources in the future will enable us to grow our food and reduce Our dependence on supply chains from abroad.
At the beginning of the intervention of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during the lecture, he said: “Please allow me to thank our daughter, Minister Maryam, for her kindness, as she is an honorable model for Emirati women in their leadership role .. What she presented is a comprehensive national vision on food security in the UAE It calls for pride and makes us feel safe, secure and benevolent .. We are all proud of our young men and women in their different locations, whether participants in the lecture or who work in various locations to secure all the requirements of food without shortage or delay and those who work and initiate and make efforts and do business .. Special thanks to all of them ».
And His Highness said: “And we are talking about rationalizing consumption .. I want to thank you for your efforts in educating community members and urging them on the necessity to follow the correct purchasing behaviors and take their needs without exaggeration.” Stressing that it is to enhance the culture of society that needs to be worked on through the home and schools And the media and guidance platforms in general .. The UAE community is aware of citizens and residents who respond to educational guidelines and we will see the difference quickly and clearly.
His Highness stressed that food security is an integrated system that is not related to the production of food only, but the culture of dealing with it .. Therefore, we emphasize a culture of rationalizing consumption and abandoning the extravagance habit that is not compatible with the teachings of our Islamic religion .. If the increase and multiplication to do good, we support and bless it, but if it is to show off This is unacceptable .. The culture of preserving our resources of all kinds, including water, food sources and others, is an essential part of the food security strategy in the country. His Highness added, "We would like to know more from you, Your Excellency, about your personal practices ... especially with regard to healthy food, and how can we convince some of this healthy matter for them?"
In her response to the interventions of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan .. Minister Al-Muhairi said: “I thank your Highness for giving us time and opportunity to present the file of food security in the country and the efforts made by the team to secure food and they are from the unknown soldiers who work hard and strive to monitor a series Food supply and tackling the challenges facing us and many others who have sought in them the love of giving and the desire to serve the country .. Your presence embodies your constant desire to continue providing all the needs of citizens and residents on the state’s land .. As for the current situation thanks to your highness’s directives and continuous support .. I am well and stable and the Emirates are food safe .. We have a national strategy for food security that we launched two years ago and that was based on five strategic directions, including improving the food pattern of society and its participation in the food security system because they have an active role by directing them to follow healthy food lines and reduce From wasting food and increasing their awareness of the correct buying behaviors. ”
His Highness also asked about the role of scientific research, innovation, technology and modern technologies in expanding the scope of local agriculture and achieving sustainable food security in the country.
And regarding investing in scientific research to achieve the sustainability of food security in the country, Al Muhairi said that the development of the agricultural sector in the UAE is a path that Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God bless his soul, started, which is an ongoing effort during the past years. The agricultural sector has achieved great and qualitative leaps during the fifty years We are working on developing modern agricultural technology, scientific research and innovations according to the state’s environment to create a sustainable agricultural sector possible with technology that takes into account the environment and preserves water and promotes our self-sufficiency .. There are many success stories in the UAE such as Astazar Sell salmon and hamour fish in commercial quantities and grow vegetables throughout the year using modern methods and technologies, and we will work to increase the state has taken the adoption of technology as a way to develop this vital sector and we will work to increase its contribution to strengthening national food security .. And confirmed the Ministry's readiness to support, rehabilitate and build the capacities of those interested and interested in specialization In the field of agricultural techniques.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan thanked and appreciated the work team of Minister Maryam Al Muhairi .. He said on this occasion: “I send a message of thanks and appreciation to my brother and friend, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the State and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai .. for his selection. Qualified distinguished national competencies such as Maryam Al-Muhairi and other competencies in leading ministries in the state .. Their efforts, readiness and visibility during these difficult circumstances prove the correctness of his decisions in choosing these competencies that made the difference and made our country with this level of ability and willingness to deal with challenges and overcome them ».
His Highness also thanked and appreciated the Emirates Council for Food Security and the concerned authorities and ministries.. economy, climate change, environment, education, health, community and foreign protection and international cooperation that played an important role during this period to maintain the sustainability of food security in the country.
In an intervention by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan .. he asked about cooperation and coordination with the Farmers Association, the level and quality of its production, the size of its distribution in the state’s markets during the current conditions..and the state’s needs for agricultural production. His Highness affirmed that coordination has been made with the Abu Dhabi Authority for Agriculture and Food Safety to compel consumer shops, centers and consumer cooperative societies to allocate special shelves to market the products of Emirati farmers and local producers in order to display their products directly and deliver them to the consumer without the need for distributors in the framework of services provided to farmers and to encourage the national agricultural product in particular During these conditions.
His Highness pointed out that the support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the national work teams and his keenness to follow up and communicate with them in various sectors ... is an incentive and motivation for them to continue to exert more efforts and work in the service of the nation.
The Director General of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Agriculture and Food Safety, Saeed Al-Bahri Salem Al-Amri, participated in an intervention on the perception of its dependents to enhance the strategic stock of food commodities in the UAE? The first line of defense to enhance the state’s capabilities in the face of any food shortages and enhances the food security system .. The strategic stockpile includes two components, the first is state-owned and the second in the supply chain, and a law was recently adopted to regulate the stockpile Strategist for Food Commodities, an important step to enhance the country's sustainable food security.
In her response to the intervention of the Deputy Director General of the International Center for Salt Agriculture (ICBA) Dr. Tarifa Al-Zaabi on how scientific research contributes to enhancing food security, Al-Muhairi said that scientific research is an essential pillar for the development of all types of industries and has a fundamental role in the file of food security to find solutions, especially in the production Food and all food supply chains where research works on the genetic development of seeds and plants and improving the quality and productivity of crops, storage and transportation, etc. We in the UAE have leading scientific centers such as the Khalifa Center for Genetic Engineering and the International Center for Local Agriculture and we will work to Create more food research centers.
While she made clear in her answer to the intervention of the CEO of Fish Farm, Bader Mohamed Obeid Bin Mubarak, regarding the importance of the role of technology in raising local production, especially in aquaculture - we have a great potential to develop this vital sector, we will work during the next plans to support the national companies working in This field is to increase its contribution to food security ... In the next ten years, we will focus on enhancing the possible local production with technology and strengthening the national food industries.
"Rationalizing consumption and not wasting is part of the food security strategy ... and some (negative legacies) must be abandoned."
“The state of food security in the country is stable as a result of the proud national strategy .”