ABU DHABI // As the issue of global food security was being discussed yesterday in Rome by world leaders, a senior UN official here highlighted the need for GCC countries to address their dependence on food imports.
Kayan Jaff, the head of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) office in Abu Dhabi, said yesterday that improving agricultural research and practices and investing in agribusiness were vital for countries such as the UAE.
"This will relieve the high dependency on imports, which naturally have also been impacted by recent price and supply shocks," he said.
Mr Jaff made his comments in conjunction with the opening of the three-day World Summit on Food Security, held at the FAO's Rome headquarters and financed by Saudi Arabia.
Dr Rashid bin Fahad, the Minister of Environment and Water, led the UAE's delegation to the event, where discussions focused on security and ending global hunger.
According to the UN, in the past two years rising food prices and the economic crisis have resulted in an additional 150 million people going hungry, taking the total to more than 1 billion worldwide.
Dozens of world leaders were in Rome, including Hosni Mubarak, the president of Egypt, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the emir of Qatar, and the UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon, all of whom addressed the summit's opening session. Pope Benedict XVI was also present and said that widespread hunger in poor countries should not be tolerated. According to the FAO, every six seconds a child dies of hunger-related illnesses.
To stress the urgent need to end worldwide hunger, both Jacques Diouf, the director-general of the FAO, and Mr Ban went on a 24-hour hunger strike ahead of the summit.
Mr Jaff, who is responsible for FAO activities in the GCC states and Yemen, described the hunger strike as a "dramatic initiative".
"The director-general wanted to demonstrate how serious and chronic the issue is," he said. "World leaders have to take responsibility for this problem and come up with commitments - to eradicate hunger."
According to WAM, the state news agency, Dr bin Fahad recently said that access to food was among the "key human rights".
The UAE relies heavily on food imports, with some estimates placing the figure as high as 85 per cent. Given that GCC states import a large proportion of their food, food security is particularly important to "policymakers at the local and federal level", Mr Jaff said.
However, according to WAM, Dr bin Fahad said that the UAE now produces up to 95 per cent of dates, 79 per cent of fish and 25 per cent of vegetables in the country.
The FAO is stepping up its presence in the region, with a team of experts set to join the Abu Dhabi office from the beginning of 2010, to provide advice to authorities on issues including food security and safety, agricultural policy and investments.
In recent years Gulf countries, including the UAE, have invested in agribusiness, buying up plots of land in more arable countries. When it comes to the acquisition of farmland in foreign countries, the FAO can also act as an "honest broker", Mr Jaff said.
The fact that the UAE hosts the FAO's sub-regional office is testament to the Government's commitment to "improving food security in the Gulf", he added.
@Email:zconstantine@thenational.ae
More on food security, page b3
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
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Tuesday's fixtures
Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
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
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At Everton Appearances: 77; Goals: 17
At Manchester United Appearances: 559; Goals: 253
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