It is with great optimism that we in the private sector welcome the recent appointment of a Food Security Minister for the UAE, as a nationally-owned and nationally-driven food security strategy can ensure the country has a healthy society to support a growing economy.
The UAE already has a strong level of food security; of the four elements of food security as defined by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) – availability, utilisation, access, and stability – the UAE’s leadership has worked hard to bring the country to the stage where it easily fulfils the first three elements.
The fourth element, a reflection of the level of self-sufficiency as well as policy development, is where the vast majority of the nation’s food security efforts are being dedicated. A ministry focused on food security is going to allow the UAE to move from a strong level to the best level in very concrete ways, in line with the leadership’s centennial plan for the nation to become the best in the world by 2071.
First of all, the appointment demonstrates the UAE’s commitment to continuous progress. A government entity responsible for food security enables the country to achieve its ambitions faster, because objectives can be set nationwide for all stakeholders to work towards; a relevant, cross-sectorial food security plan can be frameworked and implemented across the country; and a ministry wields authority to measure and follow-up in order to be sure that everyone moves forward and that things get done.
Moreover, the UAE has never limited its ambition to do good just for the UAE, but has always been very keen to proactively take its expertise to other countries: at some point it will be part of the country’s ambition to also export its skills and share best practice with other countries, an aspiration that can be accelerated now that a ministry has been created.
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Secondly, a ministry can unite the UAE’s food security community, serving as a hub that brings together all stakeholders under one umbrella. Through participation and consultation with national and local stakeholders including private sector companies, and with contributions of international and regional organizations such as the World Bank, the United Nations, and the FAO, a ministry enables the creation of a connected approach to food related issues in our country.
The issue of food security goes well beyond the food sector, embracing numerous government bodies and actors within the private sector. Food security relates to matters of distribution and infrastructure, such as physical infrastructure, supply chain management, storage and processing facilities, and waste management. It is relevant in the field of international trade, for example to debate special rules for food imports and exports in global and regional trade agreements, in domestic policies such as subsidies or other market interventions, and when it comes to questions regarding investment and global competition in domestic markets.
Food security also relates to health, such as identifying as well as addressing nutritional challenges and issuing nutritional guidelines and other consumer education tools. Food security also relates to quality and safety, including consumer protection, quality assurance, and food safety standards and implementation. And in terms of long-term sustainability, a ministry can take the lead in driving conservation efforts, recycling of water and waste, supporting scientific research and innovation, and national resource management.
We already have examples to build on in the UAE, such as the agreement for food security between the Abu Dhabi Food Security Center and various companies operating in the emirate, known as the Food Security Alliance. The main objectives of this Alliance include improving the quality, production and competiveness of local products; ensuring water and food for the country; ensuring sustainable development; establishing local, regional and international companies in food production; improving the environment for local and foreign investors throughout the food production chain (agriculture, animal production, food processing, infrastructure, logistic services); and implementing mitigation measures and a strategy to protect against food security issues.
And finally, because food security is related to well-being and health, a ministry can help achieve the UAE’s wider priorities, including its goals of happiness and positivity. Food-related activities play a pivotal role in driving positive social, economic and environmental change, and a ministry can orchestrate stakeholders’ efforts towards that ultimate goal.
In conclusion, food security is arguably the most fundamental requirement for ensuring sustainable economic growth. A ministry dedicated to this issue can provide a coherent and integrated approach, and from the perspective of the private sector, we look forward to assisting the ministry to promote the widespread availability of safe, nutritious, and trustworthy food.
Tariq Al Wahedi is the chief executive of Agthia Group
Results
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 Group 1 (PA) US$75,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Ziyadd, Richard Mullen (jockey), Jean de Roualle (trainer).
7.05pm: Al Rashidiya Group 2 (TB) $250,000 (Turf) 1,800m
Winner: Barney Roy, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
7.40pm: Meydan Cup Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,810m
Winner: Secret Advisor, Tadhg O’Shea, Charlie Appleby.
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Plata O Plomo, Carlos Lopez, Susanne Berneklint.
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.
9.25pm: Al Shindagha Sprint Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Gladiator King, Mickael Barzalona, Satish Seemar.
The%20trailblazers
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In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
Jumanji: The Next Level
Director: Jake Kasdan
Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Jack Black, Nick Jonas
Two out of five stars
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
If you go...
Etihad flies daily from Abu Dhabi to Zurich, with fares starting from Dh2,807 return. Frequent high speed trains between Zurich and Vienna make stops at St. Anton.
The National in Davos
We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Concrete and Gold
Foo Fighters
RCA records
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Honeymoonish
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Manchester United v Club America
When: Thursday, 9pm Arizona time (Friday UAE, 8am)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20The%20Cloud%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202018%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20George%20Karam%20and%20Kamil%20Rogalinski%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Hub71%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Food%20technology%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20size%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2410m%2B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Middle%20East%20Venture%20Partners%2C%20Olayan%20Financing%2C%20Rua%20Growth%20Fund%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Tuesday's fixtures
Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
Cultural fiesta
What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day.
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