14 June 2023, UAE: The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), QU Dongyu, successfully concluded a one-day working visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as part of preparations for the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference (#COP28UAE) to be convened in Dubai in November this year, and to intensify cooperation in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to agriculture, food security, and renewable energy
The Director-General had a bilateral meeting with H.E. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology of the UAE and President-Designate of COP28. The discussions focused on aligning FAO’s efforts with the UAE’s vision for advancing technology and sustainable development in the context of COP28.
H.E. Sultan Ahmed AI Jaber reiterated the UAE’s commitment to supporting FAO in the transformation of global agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable. The two agreed to further strengthen the link between food security and climate change on the global agenda to ensure a clearer and better understanding of the interlinkage for the future, highlighting that concrete actions were needed for tangible impacts on the ground.
They two also discussed strategies to boost rural development with renewable energy to promote sustainable agricultural practices and strengthen the resilience of farming communities in the face of climate change.
The Director-General also met with H.E. Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment of the UAE, during which they discussed how to better support food supply and value chains under country specific contexts, as well as potential areas for collaboration based on countries’ comparative advantages.
During the visit to the UAE, Qu met with Francesco La Camera, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) based in Masdar City. The meeting provided a further opportunity for the two organizations to explore synergies and promote renewable energy solutions for sustainable agrifood systems. The discussions emphasized the importance of integrating renewable energy sources into agricultural practices to ensure resilience and mitigate the environmental impact of farming activities.
The Director-General also visited the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), where he met with Tarifa Al Zaabi, Director-General of ICBA. The pair discussed the opportunity for NUS (neglected underutilized species) such as drought- and- saline- resistant crops, in combating climate shocks and achieving food security and food diversity. The FAO Director-General also visited the Desert Life Laboratory and the gene bank.
