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Abu Dhabi /Â WAM
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations lauded the decision of Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to institutionalise the efforts to fight hunger and food waste by launching the UAE Food Bank initiative.
Nabil Gangi, FAO Representative to the UAE and Co-ordinator ad interim to the Sub Regional Office for GCC States and Yemen, said that the initiative “reflects the true spirit of giving, which has always characterised the UAE communities, and the vision of the founder of the country, late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
“Launching the UAE Food bank as the first initiative during the Year of Giving confirms the political will to institutionally fight hunger and food waste, which will definitely lead the regional efforts in managing food loss and food waste,” he added.
Gangi praised the initiative of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid to turn Dubai into the first city in the region, and probably in the world, to achieve zero food waste. He also confirmed the FAO’s readiness to continue working hand-in-hand with the UAE government and stakeholders to ensure the success of the initiative within a sustainable food diversification strategy.
FAO has welcomed a Dubai Zero Waste (D0W) future and looks forward to syncing the UAE’s D0W best practices with its global Technical Platform on the Measurement and Reduction of Food Losses and Wastes.
Food loss and waste in MENA is estimated to be up to 250 kg per person and over US$60 billion annually and reduction in food losses and waste is vital for sustainable food systems and regional food security.
At the 32nd session of the FAO regional conference for the Near East, held in 2014, member countries endorsed a plan to reduce food loss and waste in the region by 50 percent over a period of 10 years.