FAO Regional Office for Near East and North Africa

FAO Highlights Global Food Security at World Food Day Observance in the 18th Dubai Food Safety Conference

Kayan Akram Jaff at the center, His Excellency Dawoud Al Hajri on the left, during the opening of the 18th Dubai International Food Safety Conference.

©FAO

23/10/2024, Dubai

21 October 2024, Dubai– The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) marked World Food Day at the 18th Dubai International Food Safety Conference focusing on the critical need for international collaboration to combat rising global food security challenges. This year’s World Food Day, held under the theme “Right to Foods for a better life and a better future - Leave No One Behind”, underscores the urgent call for collective action to secure sustainable food systems.

Held at the Dubai World Trade Centre, the 18th Dubai International Food Safety Conference 2024, has gathered over 3,000 experts from across the globe, showcasing a panel of three speakers from different FAO offices. Themed "Future Foresight in Food Safety," the conference, held from 21 till 23 October, addressed the growing challenges facing the global food sector, with a particular emphasis on innovation as a means of protecting future food supplies.

Kayan Akram Jaff, Head of Mission of FAO-SNG, emphasized the role of international cooperation in meeting these challenges. He noted: “World Food Day serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for joint efforts to address food security. The future of global food systems will depend on how effectively we innovate and adopt forward-thinking solutions in the face of climate change, shifting consumption patterns, and evolving food production technologies.”

Jaff also delivered a keynote address titled “From Farm to Table: Building Sustainable Food Systems for the Future.” In his speech, he highlighted the need for closer partnerships between international bodies, governments, and the private sector to create resilient, sustainable food systems.

The conference, organized by Dubai Municipality, showcased cutting-edge solutions to enhance food safety, including AI-powered inspection technologies, predictive analytics, and other emerging tools designed to manage future risks. Sessions focused on topics ranging from sustainable nutrition and genetically modified foods to the future of food testing and safety protocols.

His Excellency Dawoud Al Hajri, Director General of Dubai Municipality, emphasized the importance of balancing and agility to deal with technological innovations to maximize the opportunities they present. He pointed out the necessity of adopting a proactive approach to confront global challenges, including climate change and the rapid transformation in food manufacturing and preparation methods, as well as evolving consumption patterns.

Al Hajri added: "The Dubai International Food Safety Conference holds a prestigious global status, providing an important platform for specialists, research institutions, and global organizations in the food sector to exchange ideas and innovations, as well as to benefit from leading expertise in food safety. The success of the conference reflects Dubai's leading role in envisioning the future of food, both regionally and globally."

As part of an initiative to empower future leaders in food safety, the conference featured a dedicated program for students, providing young researchers with the opportunity to showcase their projects and engage in workshops aimed at developing resilient food systems.

By integrating World Food Day with the conference’s theme of future foresight, FAO and its partners emphasized the pressing need for global collaboration to establish a fair, safe, and sustainable food system for everyone.

Contact

Samar Negida

Communications Specialist

FAO Subregional Office for the GCC states and Yemen

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 00971 (0) 50399 3279