Abu dhabi: The National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, ne'ma, marked Global Food Week, held from October 21 to 23, 2025, by advancing a series of national partnerships and strategic dialogues to accelerate the UAE's progress toward halving food loss and waste by 2030.
According to Emirates News Agency, ne'ma signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the UAE Food Cluster and Al Ain Farms Group. These agreements aim to deepen public-private collaboration through data sharing, awareness, food rescue, and food loss and waste prevention initiatives that will drive national progress towards becoming a nation where no food is wasted. Ahmed Taleb Al Shamsi, CEO of Emirates Foundation and ne'ma National Steering Committee Deputy, emphasized that these partnerships are crucial steps in the UAE's journey to halve food loss and waste by 2030, supported by the UAE Food Loss and Waste Baseline Study.
The MoU with the UAE Food Cluster, an initiative under the Ministry of Economy, will enhance data collaboration, strengthen engagement among national stakeholders, and activate food loss and waste reduction targets across various programs. Through this partnership, Cluster members will play a key role in advancing the ne'ma-led Food Rescue Program, contributing to the UAE's national food loss and waste reduction targets and supporting the National Food Security Strategy 2051. Saleh Lootah, Chairman of the UAE Food Cluster, highlighted the importance of this collaboration in turning national data into actionable insights that empower members to innovate and reduce waste.
Under the MoU, Al Ain Farms Group will share data from its operations to support the ongoing UAE Food Loss and Waste Baseline Study, aiding in the development of national benchmarks and best practices. This collaboration extends to food-rescue initiatives, public awareness efforts, and the creation of effective solutions that advance food loss and waste reduction across the value chain. Hassan Safi, Group CEO of Al Ain Farms Group, expressed the significance of this partnership in reflecting a shared commitment to sustainability and national responsibility.
ne'ma also led an interactive workshop titled 'From Farm to Treasure: Turning Losses into Value' at the Farmers Majlis during the Abu Dhabi International Food Exhibition (ADIFE). The session brought together UAE farmers to explore practical ways to identify, measure, and manage food loss at the pre-harvest stage, emphasizing how data and measurement can help set reduction targets and track progress effectively.
Throughout Global Food Week, ne'ma participated in various sessions and activations to highlight the UAE's national efforts to reduce food loss and waste. These included discussions on sustainable production, innovation, and community engagement, underscoring the importance of aligning global conversations with national priorities to ensure progress toward the UAE's 2030 reduction targets and the National Food Security Strategy 2051. This year's Global Food Week coincided with World Food Day, observed globally on October 16, under the theme 'Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future.'