The UAE’s Minister of Climate Change and Environment, Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, spoke at the ministerial conference Uniting for Global Food Security in Berlin, hosted by the German Government. The event brought together ministers from the G7 countries, key donor countries, and representatives of UN organizations to drive joint action to enhance global food security.

Addressing the audience at a roundtable session entitled Diplomatic Efforts and Humanitarian Action, Almheiri said, “The UAE pays the utmost attention to enhancing food security and tackling relevant challenges worldwide. As a donor, a UN Security Council member, and the 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) president, the country is committed to collective action to address the global food crisis and prevent further hunger.” 

The minister outlined three areas that can make an immediate and long-term difference to food security in the Middle East. These include championing generous social protection spending by international financial institutions, channeling investment into resilient food and water systems, such as drought-resistant crops and enhanced irrigation, in fragile countries, and scaling up investment in innovation.

She highlighted the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate), a joint UAE-US initiative aimed at accelerating investment in climate-smart agricultural R&D, as an example of the UAE’s commitment to driving investment in innovative food systems to tackle food security challenges. 

She emphasized the UAE’s readiness to transfer its experience and expertise to countries that need them in line with its commitment to supporting nations with similar climatic challenges in agriculture.

“To facilitate and expedite the transportation of aid to those who need it most, we have established the International Humanitarian City, the largest humanitarian logistics hub in the world, home to 54 humanitarian organizations and nine UN agencies,” the minister said in a statement. 

During her visit to Berlin, Almheiri attended several bilateral meetings to enhance cooperation to address the growing global food crisis.