Gulfood 2014 will host the inaugural World Food Security Summit under its 'Gulfood Leaders' programme, which will feature a keynote address on the state of food security in the region.
Organised with the official support of the Ministry of Water and Environment, the summit will be opened by His Excellency Dr. Rashid Ahmed Mohammed Bin Fahad, UAE Minister of Water & Environment, who will deliver a keynote address on the state of food security in the UAE and the Middle East, as well as the challenges in securing the region’s future food supplies.
HE Dr. Bin Fahad will then address a high-level ministerial panel on ‘Ensuring a Sustainable Food Security Policy’. Other panellists include Rt. Hon. Owen Paterson, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and MP for North Shropshire, UK; Hon Peter Walsh, Minister for Agriculture and Food Security and Minister for Water for the State of Victoria, Australia; Minister Lyle Stewart, Saskatchewan Minister of Agriculture, Canada, and Felix K. Koskei, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of State for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Kenya.
“The region is entering a new period of economic growth underpinned by a burgeoning population with a high dependence on imported food from around the world – food security is an immediate priority.
"Development and execution of a core food security strategy is essential to provide a sustainable growth platform and I look forward to discussing these increasingly relevant topics with Gulfood leaders at the inaugural World Food Security Summit,” said HE Dr. Bin Fahad.
Imports in the GCC accounts for between 80-90% of its food consumption, and to address food security, sustainability and safety, over 300 stakeholders including government ministers, high ranking officials and key decision-makers in the food and agriculture sectors will gather at the summit to discuss these issues.
Key topics include food security in the Arab world, innovation and responsible investment in agriculture, poor nutrition and waste reduction.
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Trixie LohMirmand, senior vice president, DWTC, organiser of Gulfood, said: “As one of the highest volume trading platforms of any international food industry trade show, Gulfood plays a pivotal role in the global food industry. This year the show’s influence has been extended to the highest level of international knowledge exchange: bringing together the world’s thought leaders and industry visionaries to address the importance of securing a stable, cost-effective and safe supply of food for the world’s growing population.”
Addressing the importance of farm fishing and aquaculture, David Currie, Fishery & Aquaculture Office, UN - FAO sub-regional office for the GCC States & Yemen, said: “The Middle East has particular food security priorities, as limitations in the area of agricultural land and in water supply make it difficult for the region to grow its own food. A mixed strategy of international trading, overseas investment and maximising the production of what can be grown domestically is needed to secure future food supplies.”
Among the confirmed speakers are HE Khadim Abdullah Al Darei, co-founder of Al Dahra Agriculture, who will take part in a session titled ‘Private Sector Investment in Agriculture and Innovation For Food Security’; Hassan Al-Damluji, head of Middle East relations, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Dr. Balgis Osman-Elasha, climate change expert, African development bank; Ambassador Pablo Kang, Ambassador to the UAE, Australian Consulate General to the UAE; Essa Al Ghurair, vice chairman, Al Ghurair Investments; Yves Manghardt, chairman and CEO, Nestlé Middle East FZE; Sanjeev Kakkar, chairman, Unilever MENA; Saleh Abdulla Lootah, CEO, Al Islami Foods (SS Lootah Group); Omar Farid, president Middle East and Africa, PepsiCo; and Dato Seri Jamil Bidin, Halal Industry Development Corporation, Malaysia.
Mondelēz International vice president and area director Middle East Vishal Tikku, also a Gulfood panel speaker, said: “The World Food Security Summit (WFSS) provides the industry with a supportive platform to enable organisations and decision makers to collaborate on regional food supply sustainability. With the WFSS’ commitment, industry players can potentially transform the future of the regional food industry. It will be a privilege to join key industry players to address the critical challenges of the role of key corporations in supporting food security.”
The summit will take place at the Conrad Dubai on February 23-24, as part of Gulfood, the world’s biggest annual food and hospitality show taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) between February 23-27, 2014.
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