Co-hosted by the State Administration for Market Regulation of P.R.China, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Silk-road Planning and Research Center, and the Codex Alimentarius Commission, the Belt and Road Eco-agriculture and Food Safety Forum was successfully held on November 6, 2020 at the Shanghai National Convention and Exhibition Center.
H.E.AliAl Dhaheri, Ambassador of UAE to China delivered a viedo speech.
3rd China International Import Expo - “Food Safety for All”
Theme: Adapting to current needs to promote the development of high-quality dairy products
Remarks from His Excellency Dr. Ali Obaid Al Dhaheri
Key words: cooperation, food sustainability, AgTech, vertical farming, new technology, innovation, saltwater resistant rice
I.
Introduction: Introduction and Appreciation
Good afternoon, ladies and gentleman. Thank you to the State Administration for Market Regulation, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), the Silk Road Planning Research Center, and the CAC for organizing today's events, and President Lin for inviting me to participate. I value the opportunity to discuss such important topics with distinguished guests. It is my great pleasure to participate in this forum. Food safety and sustainability are a truly global issue, and are also of high priority to the UAE. To provide much-needed solutions, we have many areas of collaboration with China in this area.
II.
UAE’s leadership and investment in AgTech
Both the UAE and China actively contribute to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, working to eliminate hunger worldwide. China is committed to eliminating poverty by the end of 2020, with sustainable agriculture as a key component of these efforts. The centerpiece for the UAE is the National Food Security Strategy 2051, which was released in 2018. Given the UAE’s limitations with regard to agriculture, food sustainability, security, and safety are essential to our country’s long-term prosperity. Inititives include the 14
th Annual International Food Safety Conference – with “Creating Global Partnerships” as a guiding theme, and a focus on digital and innovative agricultural solutions.
The UAE also contributes to food safety through developing high-quality dairy products. The UAE hosts the Global Dairy Innovation Congress & Awards MENA , which innovates and sets high standards for dairy production. These cutting-edge innovations have helped the Emirati dairy industry to grow at 7% annually, with an anticpated value of over $2.6 billion by 2024. This range of innovation provides ample opportunity for cooperation with China and the region, offering safe and innovative development standards.
UAE-China “Ag-Tech” collaboration will help countries overcome agricultural challenges and seek to eliminate the threat of food shortages. For example, renowned Chinese agricultural scientist Yuan Longping led the Qingdao Saline-Alkali Tolerant Rice Research and Development Center to cultivate salt-resistant rice in UAE deserts. As another example, since 2018 Emirati Mawarid Holding, and Chinese Chongqing Earthskin Eco-technology have worked together on vertical farming projects, using minimal land and up to 95% less water than conventional agriculture. These innovative technologies for intelligent agriculture ensure food security in the UAE and the region, as well as applications internationally.
III.
Diplomatic engagement to support food security
In 2018 when President Xi made a state visit to our country, China and the UAE established a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The UAE is a key partner and hub in the Belt and Road Initiative and actively pursues bilateral agreements with China across sectors. This includes two M-O-Us between the UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and China’s Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, signed in 2018. These agreements continue to strengthen agricultural cooperation and “Ag-tech” exchanges. Such collaboration delivers innovative solutions for food security and boosts the development of UAE’s agriculture, livestock, and fisheries sectors.
Continued progress in food security is made possible by flexible and emerging business models, including e-commerce and effective marketing by livestreaming – which have all grown considerable throughout the COVID-19 peroid. The CIIE has also embraced new ways of operating, with a combination of offline and online activities. This unique platform contributes to strong UAE-China cooperation, through forming business relationships and increasing brand awareness.
I look to expanding these areas of fruitful collaboration at this year’s CIIE and beyond!
