Dubai has unveiled the details of its Food Security Strategy for 2030. According to the plan, local agricultural production will be expanded, food imports diversified, food waste reduced, and residents' access to safe, healthy, and affordable food improved.
This strategy was announced by the Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority (DECCA) and approved by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council.
The plan aims to address the daily concerns of residents, including stable supplies during emergencies and global market instability, as well as the availability and cost of essential foodstuffs.
Furthermore, this initiative supports the UAE's National Food Security Strategy for 2051, striving to strengthen the country's position in international food security rankings.
Ahmed Mohammed bin Tani, CEO of DECCA, noted that the implementation of the strategy will rely on the use of advanced technologies, strengthening supply chains, and establishing partnerships in the food sector.
He emphasized that the Dubai Food Security Strategy for 2030 is based on a clear vision—to make Dubai a global leader in sustainable food security, supported by advanced technologies and resilient supply chains.
According to Ahmed Mohammed bin Tani, the plan focuses on increasing local production, reducing losses, and ensuring the availability and affordable price of healthy food. Five strategic initiatives have been defined to achieve these goals, aimed at supporting the agricultural and food industries and developing local markets in collaboration with ecosystem stakeholders, thereby creating a sustainable foundation for food security in Dubai.
The DECCA Food Security Department will oversee the implementation of this strategy in conjunction with local and federal government entities, as well as private partners.
The first initiative is dedicated to supporting sustainable local agriculture, improving resource efficiency, and enhancing the competitiveness of the sector. Planned projects include expanding fisheries, developing livestock farming, and creating cooperatives for small farmers, which is intended to support domestic production and encourage more environmentally friendly agricultural practices.
The second initiative aims to strengthen food supply chains so they can respond more effectively to changes in demand, market conditions, and emergencies. Key projects include diversifying food import destinations and establishing partnerships with importers of strategic raw materials. Expanding procurement options will help Dubai manage potential disruptions and reduce dependence on fluctuations in individual markets.
The third initiative focuses on promoting healthier and more sustainable food consumption. It provides for a comprehensive program to reduce food waste and research consumption models. Additionally, this initiative seeks to raise awareness about responsible consumption and sustainable nutrition, linking household food choices to collective efforts to reduce loss and waste.
The fourth initiative is directed at strengthening governance, regulation, and economic support for integrated food systems, as well as attracting sustainable investments into this sector. Projects include plans to improve the Food Security Platform and create an Information Platform for investors dedicated to the AgriTech industry, providing information access for investors interested in agricultural technologies.
The fifth initiative is designed to form a food ecosystem capable of adapting to market fluctuations and meeting changing consumer needs through advanced infrastructure and partnerships. This initiative includes planned international cooperation in research and development, reflecting the strategy's emphasis on innovation and collaboration.
These five pillars—availability, affordability, quality and safety, sustainability, and resilience, as well as industry support—are intended to strengthen the link between food production, distribution, consumption, and investment. The strategy is adopted against the backdrop of challenges affecting food supply, such as climate change, regional and global upheavals, shifting consumption patterns, and volatility in international markets.