Our Food our Future, World Food day Dubai 2018
On 17th October, 2018 students from the UAE, Australia and the Netherlands interacted with The Minister of Environment of the UAE, Agricultural counselors of Australia and The Netherlands, academia, industry representatives, and thought leaders on sustainable agriculture, food production and consumption, as the UAE marked the World Food Day.
Our Food our Future, World Food day Dubai 2018
Titled ‘Our Food, Our Future’, the youth workshop was organized by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, MoCCAE, in collaboration with the Global Green Growth Institute, GGGI, and the embassies of Australia and the Netherlands in the UAE. The event provided an opportunity for the country’s youth to participate in developing government policies on food management. Also companies present could listen and speak to young talent which did present the three best theses, ‘No food waste and reuse of food’; ‘App on footprint of agricultural produce’; and ‘Kitchen producing of fresh vegetables’.
The participants addressed a variety of food-related topics, such as the latest developments in sustainable agriculture and water management, changing food consumption patterns and behaviors for a more sustainable future, and local challenges to food diversity. They also exchanged relevant experiences and case studies.
In his speech at the event, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said, "The issue of the future of food is vast and complex, but joining forces will make a difference. We need to raise awareness among all segments of society, especially the young generation, about sustainable agriculture, food production and consumption."
"In the UAE, we consider youth engagement a core priority in our efforts to build a sustainable future. The launch of the Emirates Youth Climate Change Strategy 2018-2021 in August 2018 is a case in point. This workshop seeks to empower our young people to take action to protect our environment," he added.
Frank J.M. Mollen, Ambassador of the Netherlands to the UAE, said, "In the Netherlands, modern agriculture is characterized by cooperation according to the Dutch Golden Triangle, in which Government, Universities and companies work together in finding sustainable and innovative solutions. Also in the UAE, sustainable and innovative solutions in food production are central. It is an exciting time for the youth, as the different concepts of farming in the desert are being explored and tested, and further optimized. This provides many opportunities for the young bright minds of the UAE, as they can play a valuable role in these developments and transformations that are taking place."
Mohammed Angawi, GGGI’s Acting UAE Country Representative, said, "Innovation and collaboration go hand in hand. Today’s workshop was a great opportunity for students to engage in important environmental topics and we are very proud to support this youth platform in the UAE."
In the first panel session following the speeches, the Agricultural counselor of The Netherlands to the Gulf region, Erik Smidt, explained the role of the Agricultural counselor to promote innovation in Agriculture, the way how The Netherlands is working on sustainable food production, ways for a better management on food systems and how the food system might look like in the future. In the second panel session he reacted on the three different theses presented by the students.
Dutch companies present had a chance to talk to their employees of the future and share their thoughts on the theses presented and some of them explained in short what they are working on in UAE.
The workshop was part of a series of events launched in 2015 within the framework of GGGI’s Green Growth Youth Programme, and aligned with the Emirates Youth Climate Change Strategy 2018-2021.
World Food Day Dubai
