DUBAI: On its second day, the Food Innovation Conference 2024 led discussions on the role of advanced technology in cultivating a transformative change in food systems, and explored ways to design and manage effective collaboration models that enhance innovation.

The conference, organised by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) in collaboration with the World Economic Forum (WEF), featured 150 global experts in Dubai.

The second day featured two panel discussions titled ‘Purpose-Driven Innovation for a Positive Food Future’ and ‘Reimagining Future Food Systems’.

Global Challenges

During her speech at the ‘Reimagining Future Food Systems’ session, Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, said the conference gains significant importance at a time when food systems are at a crucial juncture, compounded by the impacts of global conflicts, climate change and rising costs that continue to disrupt supply chains, markets and livelihoods.

She stress
ed that in the face of daunting challenges, such as geopolitics, climate shocks, hunger and malnutrition, a multiplicity of innovative solutions and bold collaboration is needed.

Currently, around 40 percent of arable land is degraded and 33 percent of food produced for human consumption is either lost or wasted, increasing the global challenge of ensuring a food-secure world.

Al Dahak noted the urgent need to transition to climate-smart, water-positive, equitable global agri-food systems that can nourish all. ‘A fundamental shift in the way we produce and consume food is necessary through the use of advanced technology and innovation,’ she added.

When coupled with the right collaboration models and investments, innovations, including digital services, arid-climate solutions, to artificial intelligence, can enable the food systems to be one of the most hopeful solutions on climate action, improving water security, and reducing equity, urged Al Dahak.

True Catalyst

Badr Jafar, CEO of Crescent Enterprises,
highlighted the role of the Food Innovation Conference 2024 in driving international cooperation and knowledge sharing to create innovative solutions that facilitate food systems innovation, noting that these systems currently face daunting challenges as a result of rising global conflicts, climate change and rising costs hindering supply chains and markets.

‘Technology and innovation are key enablers and powerful catalysts to creating inclusive, sustainable food systems. Reimagining future food systems requires innovative solutions and unprecedented cooperation. The future of food is not just about living, it actually revolves around our health, environment sustainability and social equity,” he said.

Panellists explored strategies for launching effective food innovation markets within the UAE, regionally, and globally. They offered insights on the concrete investment and partnership opportunities to scale innovation as well as the key global frontiers to prioritise, and overall strengthen the case for food
innovation hubs as country-led multi stakeholder partnership platforms to deliver on the promise of innovation in food systems and climate.

Experts shared their future vision for food security, highlighting ways to achieve sustainability through the adoption of innovation.

Safeguarding Resources

During his main address at the ‘Purpose-Driven Innovation for a Positive Food Future’ session, Dr. Abdulkareem Al Olama, CEO of MBRGI, said the Food Innovation Conference reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to find pioneering solutions against challenges facing humanity, primarily food security underprivileged communities.

The UAE, he noted, supports global efforts to safeguard resources and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

‘Technology has become a key enabler to drive human progress and prosperity. With the World Economic Forum, we have had a collective vision – how we can equitably empower over eight billion people,
depending on our food systems, to benefit from technology,’ Al Olama said.

He highlighted the UAE’s efforts from resource management to climate change to water access, to ensure equitable access to food, citing the launch of the Food Innovation Hub UAE during COP28 last year as ‘a testament to our unwavering commitment to this cause.’

‘Together, we’re forging a path towards comprehensive food security, driven by innovation, collaboration, and a collective commitment to a sustainable future,’ he added.

The session delved deep into the heart of purpose-driven innovation, showcasing the power of country-led innovation ecosystems to unlock visions and collaborative partnerships as the bedrock for cultivating transformative change in the food industry.

It also presented viewpoints from various stakeholders and sectors about the emerging primary needs from the food innovation system.

Interactive exhibition

Amna Al Dahak visited the Boulevard Exhibition, held on the sidelines of the Food Innovation Conference,
and reviewed the latest food system innovations.

The exhibition serves as an interactive platform to attract the public and educate guests on the most disruptive technologies and initiatives that are shaping the future of food systems.

The conference is supported by the Food Innovation Hubs Global Initiative, launched by the WEF in collaboration with MBRGI, comprising public, private and civil society partners, to leverage multi-stakeholder and market-based partnerships, as well as scale fit-for-purpose innovations.

Through mobilising and influencing the right ecosystem of partners, the initiative aims to accelerate the transformation of our food systems to be healthier, net-zero, water-positive, and more equitable.

The Food Innovation conference aims to accelerate knowledge exchange, learnings and capacity building across the global Food Innovators Network. It seeks to showcase country-led innovation ecosystem models as well as the global frontiers in technology innovations, facilitate partnership opport
unities between entrepreneurs, investors, private sector and thought leaders, and amplify the role of technology in support of resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food systems.

Source: Emirates News Agency