- HE Mariam Almheiri “Today signals the start of a national movement towards sustainability, as we launch our national campaign aimed at raising awareness about the importance of reducing food waste.”
- ne’ma’s campaign celebrates intergenerational wisdom, highlighting its role in reconnecting with traditions that promote food and resource preservation.
- The campaign is launched in partnership with ADQ and Tadweer Group.
Abu Dhabi, UAE – November 22, 2024
ne’ma – the National Food Loss and Waste Initiative – has launched a nationwide awareness campaign to help the public understand the importance of reducing food loss and waste, as the UAE commits to transforming its approach to food sustainability. The campaign theme “Valuing Our Roots” celebrates rich traditions while promoting behaviors that lead to resource conservation. The campaign aligns with long-held Emirati values of environmental stewardship and a deep commitment to preserving resources for future generations. It is launched in partnership with ADQ and Tadweer Group.
The campaign launch event saw participation from key stakeholders across the food value chain in the UAE, such as the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, Aldar, Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, Emirates Food Bank and Dubai Municipality. The event featured engaging discussions and an exhibition that highlighted innovative solutions that are focused on food sustainability.
Her Excellency Mariam Almheiri, Head of the Office of International Affairs, the Presidential Court, and Chairwoman of the ne’ma Steering Committee said, “Today marks the launch of more than just a campaign—it signals the start of a national movement to address food loss and waste across all communities in the UAE,”
Khuloud Hasan Al Nuwais, Chief Sustainability Officer of Emirates Foundation and ne’ma Steering Committee Secretary-General said, “This campaign is a vibrant dialogue that spans generations, where young and old come together to share their insights on the significance of food within our community, by drawing on the wisdom of our forefathers and the innovative spirit of the youth. We recognize the vital role that both the wisdom of the past and the creativity of the present play in cultivating a culture where food is valued, preserved and shared with care and mindfulness.”
Engineer Ali Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and CEO, Tadweer Group, commented, “Tadweer has been ne’ma’s partner since its establishment in 2022, playing a pivotal role in supporting the UAE’s efforts to reduce food loss and waste. As a long-standing collaborator, Tadweer has offered its expertise in waste management, sustainability, and circular economy practices, contributing to ne’ma’s projects and initiatives. By joining hands to launch this nationwide awareness campaign, Tadweer strengthens its commitment to drive meaningful change and accelerate food waste reduction across the UAE.”
The ne’ma nationwide awareness campaign is a cornerstone of its strategy to engage diverse communities across the UAE, as part of its wider mandate to reduce food loss and waste in the UAE by 50 percent by 2030. ne’ma aims to introduce initiatives that promote a circular economy, while reflecting on the values instilled by the UAE’s forefathers that stress the importance of practicing sensible stewardship of resources.
An exhibition was organized as part of the campaign launch to spotlight pioneering solutions that significantly impact the food ecosystems, covering crucial topics such as reducing food waste, promoting sustainable consumption and enhancing food preservation practices.
-Ends-
About ne’ma:
ne’ma – the National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, is a response to the call to action by the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to reduce food waste, encourage individual and social responsibility, and promote sustainable practices across the food value chain.
Established in 2022, ne’ma aims to address overproduction and overconsumption and build new standards that can contribute to the reduction of food loss and food waste, reconnecting with the country’s deep-rooted traditional values of social responsibility and mindful stewardship of national resources.
For more information, please visit: www.nema.ae