DUBAI, 23rd October, 2022 (WAM) — Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, participated in the World Food Forum, where she highlighted the efforts of the United Arab Emirates to strengthen the engagement of young people in strengthening food security through innovation and entrepreneurship.
From October 17-21 at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, the event brought together governments, youth champions, global influencers and non-profit organisations. nonprofit to support youth-led agribusiness transformation. systems. Organized under the theme “Healthy Food, Healthy Planet”, this year’s edition of the Forum focuses on raising awareness among young people about the link between climate change and access to safe and nutritious food and healthy diets in the purpose of inciting action.
Almheiri said, “With soaring food prices around the world and millions of people going to bed hungry every night, we all have a responsibility to build more resilient and sustainable food systems. We must achieve a complete paradigm shift in the way we produce and consume food in order to provide adequate nutrition to the world’s population while preserving our environment for future generations.
She added: “By building the capacity of our young people and equipping them with the skills to venture into entrepreneurship and innovation, we are empowering them to take charge of the future of our food systems. Furthermore, we must involve young people in decision-making and policy-making and in events such as this, because we must not design their future alone – they must be part of the dialogue. »
On the sidelines of the Forum, the Minister had talks with several high-level FAO officials, including Qu Dongyu, Director General, Maria Helena Semedo, Deputy Director General, Maximo Torero, Chief Economist, and Stefanos Fotiou, Director of the Office. . FAO Sustainable Development Goals Officer and Head of the United Nations Food Systems Coordinating Centre. The talks focused on the contribution of the United Arab Emirates to the fight against global food and nutrition insecurity.
Almheiri also discussed ways to promote the adoption of healthy diets from sustainable food systems with Gabriel Ferrero y de Loma-Osorio, chair of the Committee on World Food Security (CSA).
The UAE is a thought leader in the area of food safety. The country is a co-founder of the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate) as well as a member of the Action Coalition for Healthy Diets from Sustainable Food Systems and the Coalition for Sustainable Urban Food Systems. and inclusive, and has just joined the School Meals Coalition.
