Abu Dhabi hosted a record-breaking edition of Global Food Week, drawing over 47,000 visitors and 2,580 exhibitors from 92 countries. The three-day event, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, saw the signing of 97 agreements valued at Dh6.9 billion, marking a 5% increase from the previous year.
Organized by the ADNEC Group in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), the event included the Global Food Security Summit and the Abu Dhabi Date Palm Exhibition. These gatherings highlighted the UAE's commitment to enhancing food security and agricultural innovation.
The Global Food Security Summit, themed 'Together Towards Food Security for All', focused on strengthening food systems to tackle future challenges. Discussions revolved around utilizing artificial intelligence, digital logistics, and private-sector investments to bolster agricultural infrastructure.
Dr. Tareq Ahmed Al Ameri, Acting Director-General of ADAFSA, emphasized the importance of international cooperation in addressing global food challenges. He stated that the event aimed to foster collaboration among governments, international organizations, and industry leaders to build resilient food systems.
Hamid Matar Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNEC Group, highlighted the event's success in increasing visitor numbers by 17% and enhancing the value of deals by 5%. He noted that these achievements reinforce Abu Dhabi's status as a hub for specialized events and business.
The Abu Dhabi Date Palm Exhibition, now in its 12th edition, attracted 100 exhibitors from 12 countries, showcasing the latest technologies and innovations in the date palm sector. This reflects the UAE's ongoing dedication to advancing date palm cultivation and production.
In addition to the main events, the AgriTech Forum returned, featuring innovations in controlled-environment agriculture, smart irrigation systems, and soil regeneration research. The forum addressed the harmonization of international regulations and the development of cold-chain infrastructure in the Middle East.
New initiatives included the inaugural Abu Dhabi Honey Forum and Exhibition, organized in cooperation with Apimondia. The forum focused on sustainable beekeeping in arid environments and issued recommendations to strengthen the UAE's beekeeping sector.
The event's Hosted Buyers Programme facilitated meetings between exhibitors and international buyers, contributing to its commercial success. National exhibitors made up 67% of participants, with small and medium-sized enterprises representing 22% of the total.
