Dubai's Food Tech Valley Project to Triple the Emirate's Food Production
H.E. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), welcomed H.E. Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, and H.E. Hesham Abdulla Al Qassim, CEO of Wasl Asset Management Group.
The visit aimed to discuss collaboration to support the Food Tech Valley project, which was launched by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in 2021 to triple Dubai’s food production.
The meeting was attended by H.E. Essa Al Hashmi, Assistant Under-Secretary of the Ministry for Sustainable Communities and Acting Assistant Under-Secretary for Green Development and Climate Change at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, and Rashed Mohammed Al Awadhi, Chief Real Estate Officer, Real Estate Development at Wasl Asset Management Group.
From DEWA, the meeting was attended by Waleed Bin Salman, Executive Vice President of Business Development and Excellence, and Yousef Jebril, Executive Vice President of Energy and Water Planning, and several DEWA officials.
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The Food Tech Valley project aims to create a modern city that includes the concepts of integrated food management within its activities and seeks to attract creative and young minds to shape the future of food.
The city’s vision for this project is to become the first of its kind in the region and the trademark and benchmark for the sustainability of food management systems regionally and globally.
During the meeting, H.E. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer affirmed his confidence that the Food Tech Valley project, which translates the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, will be a major step towards achieving sustainable food security and promoting innovation in the food industry, while supporting the diversified, knowledge-based economy of Dubai and the UAE.
Al Tayer pointed out that DEWA contributes to supporting the efforts of the UAE and world countries to achieve the goal of addressing hunger within the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030.
The Food Tech Valley project in Dubai will be a crucial platform for research and development and applied research to serve food farmers and producers in the UAE and the world.
It will be a benchmark for keeping pace with futuristic food patterns by setting future food standards empowered with modern technology.
H.E. Mariam Almheiri said: “The UAE wise leadership places great importance on enhancing food security on sustainable foundations and finding solutions to national food security challenges, particularly increasing agricultural and food production to reduce reliance on imports.
"The Food Tech Valley project plays a vital role in this area, as it focuses on developing modern technologies for food production, thereby overcoming water scarcity and shortage of arable land.
"The project also supports the entire food value chain and serves as a leading global model for enhancing food security by applying the highest sustainability standards, which in turn supports the UAE’s efforts to adopt technologies and solutions that contribute to combating climate change and preserving the environment and natural resources from waste.
“With the UAE hosting the COP28 conference in November, the Food Tech Valley and other pioneering food projects will be in the global spotlight for the UAE’s contributions to activating the global climate agenda through tangible projects and efforts.
"We hope this will be a starting point for other similar projects worldwide. I was pleased with my conversation with His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer.
"I extend my thanks to our partners at DEWA and Wasl Asset Management Group for their efforts to ensure the success of this project, which we rely on to bring about a qualitative leap in the UAE’s efforts to enhance its food security now and in the future."
H.E. Hesham Abdulla Al Qassim said: “We are proud to join forces with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and DEWA in advancing the Food Tech Valley project, a forward-thinking initiative that reflects our dedication to sustainable development and innovation.
"This project not only tackles the UAE’s food security concerns but also serves as a global model for eco-friendly, innovative food-management systems.
"Through our combined expertise and shared aspirations, we are committed to ensuring Food Tech Valley’s success, cementing Dubai and the UAE’s positions as leaders in food technology and fostering a diverse, knowledge-driven economy."
In its first phase, the Food Tech Valley project aims to provide the elements for urban planning and comprehensive urban development with various activities for food management based on innovation.
It also aims to develop local production of high-value and competitive foods and build a modern city that exports knowledge about food systems to the world. The project includes vertical farms, a logistics centre, an R&D centre, and a shopping area.
The first phase of the Food Tech Valley was launched in 2021 in partnership between the Ministry of Food and Water Security and Wasl Properties to explore optimal planning of future smart and food-independent cities.
It also aims to support a diversified economy that is based on knowledge and innovation. Equipped with cutting-edge technologies, the project aims to be a leading global hub for innovation-based food security.
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