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The 6th Arab Conference for Investment in Food Security, entitled "Smart Agriculture, a promising option for the Arab world", was inaugurated in Fujairah, UAE, on 14 and 15 November 2018 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed, Ruler of Fujairah and in presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah. The event was being attended by a large number of Excellences, Businessmen, Experts, Arab and International Researchers as well as numerous participants from UAE, GCC and Arab countries.

The Conference was organized by the Union of Arab Chambers and the Fujairah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in cooperation with the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Future Food Security Office, Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry, General Secretariat of the League of Arab States, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and Arab Federation for Food Industries (ARABFFI). The Conference hosted as well large official participation, from Heads and Representatives of Arab Chambers and their federations to Leading Arab and International companies in the field of food security, as well as Arab and International Organizations, Unions and Funding Institutions.

The aim of this event is to highlight the importance of investing in "Smart Agriculture" as it focuses on optimizing the use of agriculture with fewer resources (land, water) to obtain the best crop production possible. Thus, making it a promising future for the Arab world towards achieving sustainable agricultural production and addressing the problems of limited resources and climate change facing the agricultural sectors in the Arab countries. The Conference also aims at identifying national strategies and new opportunities for the Arab countries in this matter and mobilizing the capacities of the Arab private sector to achieve a qualitative leap in term of investments in ways that respond to the needs and priorities of the Arab World. This requires approaching the issue of Food Security in the context of progress achieved in the implementation of the SDGs 2030, based on Science, Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation, both at the level of National projects and at the level of Joint-Arab Action.

The conference comes after the successful five conferences held in previous years by the Union of Arab Chambers in the field of Food Security and hosted by the Fujairah Chamber, which have resulted in qualitative awareness expansion from the Arab Business Community towards Agricultural Potential, and have succeeded in pushing forward the establishment of a number of Food Security Projects.

Opening Ceremony

Forewords were given by H.E. Khalifa Khamis Mattar al Kaabi, Chairman of the Fujairah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who welcomed the participants in the Emirate of Fujairah, considered as the UAE's lung. He paid tribute to His Highness the Ruler of Fujairah and His Highness the Crown Prince for sponsoring the Conference and their attention paid to the Arab issues. He highlighted the importance of this year’s theme, which focuses on smart agriculture as a way to cope with climatic conditions while benefiting from modern technology that increases productivity with fewer resources (land, water), and which represents a promising choice for the Arab world. He also pointed out the close collaboration between the Government and the private sector in UAE, which are working together towards establishing an integrated system for future Food Security.

Dr. Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zwaidi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment in UAE, addressed the importance of this year’s theme reporting it in line with the Country’s challenges to adopt smart agriculture as a way to improve Food Security. Despite the modernity of this concept, it falls under the principles of the late founder of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God be upon him, who believed that man could achieve anything if he has the will. Dr. Al-Zwaidi praised and recalled the achievements and leadership of His Fellow in the field of Food security, both in UAE and in the World, which had touched the lives of millions of people. He also reported UAE’s achievements towards providing the appropriate investment climate and encouraging investment in food security in UAE as well as in other countries of the world, and towards supporting scientific research and innovative research projects.

Afterwards, H.E. Dr. Khaled Hanafi, Secretary-General of the Union of Arab Chambers, paid tribute to His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Fujairah, for organizing this Conference under the patronage of His Highness the Crown Prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi. He highlighted the importance of raising the issue of food security in its comprehensive sense, as it addresses the problem of distribution, which includes food waste and food in circulation. “There is about 30 percent of waste in circulation, explaining that agriculture technology has varied and depends on the Industry and not only on the agriculture itself, in its traditional term.” He explained that the Union of Arab Chambers which covers a business community responsible for 70 percent of Arab production and employment, including the food industry, needs to focus on different areas of cooperation between the Government and the Private sector because forging alliances is as important as having direct trade. He pointed out the importance of the Emirate of Fujairah that can act as a strategic position for warehouses and silos, not only for UAE but the whole Arab region. He added that it is necessary to have several Assembling and Manufacturing bases, which can provide added value to the Arab world.

H.E. Mohammed bin Obaid Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development, addressed the importance of stimulating agricultural investments in the Arab World, with respect to the great challenges facing the Arab world today, despite the availability of natural resources. He also remarked that the Arab Food gap is worsening, despite Arab countries’ strong efforts in putting the issue of food security in the priority of their policies, which absorbs a high percentage of the workforce. The future of agriculture depends on the capacity to adapt to technological developments and climate change, with modern technologies at the cornerstone. He called the Authority to adopt the latest technology through its 44 companies in the Arab countries.

The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Dr. José Graziano da Silva, estimated the number of malnourished people for the third consecutive year in 2017, after decades of decline, at 821 million, representing 11% of the world’s population, with 52 million being in the Near East and North Africa. In contrast, the proportion of people suffering from obesity in the world represents 26.7%. Dr. Silva pointed out that hunger and malnutrition could be brought to an end if there is political will, bold and urgent actions towards managing conflicts that focus on the SDGs’ agenda, transitioning to health consumption systems, and building systems that take into account the needs of small farmers, mostly women. He highlighted the importance of harnessing the growing potential of technology and innovation and integrating youth into rural development. The key to achieve this, he stated, is to consider public-private partnership as creating decent jobs for young people needs participation of the private sector.

At the end of the opening session, H.E. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary General of the League of Arab States, delivered a speech in which he considered that, as we deal with our important issues, we should not underestimate nor exaggerate but rather look at the issues from their actual size. He remarked that the issue of food security is a matter of existence based on disturbing realities. The Arab world imports half of its food needs, while some other Arab countries import more than 70 percent of their grain needs. The Arab World is also one of the largest importers of meat, while Egypt is one of the largest importer of wheat in the world. He added that the political aspect is not hidden from anyone and the Arab world has to prepare to maintain survival, citing many of the threats faced by the Arab world in recent history. He pointed out that the rise in global food prices played a major role in igniting the situation in a number of countries in the region. He praised the UAE and the Emirate of Fujairah and called for intensified efforts and cooperation between Governments and the Private Sector to enhance food security, recalling the Sudan Initiative launched at the Riyadh Economic Summit in 2013, which focuses on promoting investment in key food commodities for which Sudan has a key advantage.

At the end of the opening ceremony, the Crown Prince of Fujairah, H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, presented honorary badges to: the Minister of Environment and Climate Change of United Arab Emirates, H.E. Dr. Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zaidi, the Secretary General of the League of Arab States, Dr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the Secretary-General of the Union of Arab Chambers, Dr. Khaled Hanafi, the President of the Arab-Brazilian Chamber, Dr. Robbins Hanoun, and the Chairman of the Arab Association for Agricultural Investment and Development H.E. Mohamed Bin Obaid Al Mazrouei, as well as the sponsors.

As a result of this opening ceremony, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Fujairah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the UAE International Investors Council.

Five specialized working sessions were held in the framework of the conference, and attended by a number of senior businessmen, officials and experts. The sessions discussed pioneering agricultural experiences as well as policies and strategies to support Arab Food and Water Safety based on science and modern technology for sustainable development, and quality and food safety standards. The Conference addressed the following topics:

- First Session: "Pilot Agricultural Projects and Initiatives for the United Arab Emirates".
- Second session: «Funding Mechanisms needed by the private sector to invest in modernization and sustainability».
- Third Session: "Smart Agriculture, Technology and Scientific Research to Develop Food and Beverage Production and Processing"
- Fourth Session: "Role of the Arab private sector in promoting Food quality and safety.”
- Fifth Session: "Expanding the Green area and combating desertification in the Arab World: Challenges and opportunities".

Source: (Union of Arab Chambers)