- World leaders, agritech and start-up pioneers line up to attend first-of-its-kind global gathering of food security innovators, to be held at Dubai Exhibition Centre, organised by DWTC
- The World Bank Group’s International Finance Corporation poised to invest USD1 billion in Middle East’s agribusiness sector
- Food For Future Summit & Global Agtech Expo to ignite transformative global food security movement
- Dubai to become epicentre of regional food production revolution
A new wave of business opportunities spanning the global food ecosystem will be unlocked at the ground-breaking Food For Future Summit and Global Agtech Expo later this month as the industry looks to address an impending agricultural shortfall that could fail to produce enough to feed the world’s anticipated 10 billion population by 2050.
More than 150 speakers and a host of food, agritech and start-up pioneers from more than 50 countries will convene for the first-of-its-kind summit, which is organised by Dubai World Trade, and will run at Dubai Exhibition Centre from 23 – 24 February.
The events, hosted by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation as a strategic partner, come at the optimum time to galvanise the industry and catalyse a worldwide food security movement, according to global food innovators.
“Food security is not something that exists in isolation. Solving the food needs of populations requires collaboration between governments and the private sector.” said Prasad Gopalan, Manager, Agribusiness & Forestry, International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank Group, the international financial institution that offers investment and advisory services encouraging private-sector development in less developed countries.
“IFC is expected to commit around USD1 billion in cumulative investments over the next decade in the agribusiness sector in the Middle East. We have found collaboration between government and industry, and with consumers and other stakeholders is critical for building the effective, safe, and sustainable systems that underpin food security and promote food safety.”
André Laperriere, Executive Director at GODAN – the network that makes agriculture and nutrition data open and searchable – believes the summit comes at a time of great importance for increasing global awareness. He said: “It is very important to increase the world’s awareness on the impact of disruptions in the global food systems, food waste and climate change, and their impact on food security.”
Laperriere who is also a speaker at the Food For Future Global Leaders Symposium, added: “Our hope for the Food For Future Summit is for it to stimulate partnerships that cause concrete action for food security solutions.”
“Our ambition for this event is for an honest discussion on the global issues facing our food system that effect our society and stimulate collaboration between innovators to make a difference,” commented Henry Gordon-Smith, Founder & CEO of Agritecture the world’s leading advisory firm on urban and controlled environment agriculture.
Gordon-Smith, who will be leading a talk titled ‘The Past, Present, and Future of Urban Agriculture’ expressed the importance of raising awareness and analysing data available to tackle urban agriculture, added: “My aim is to help the audience understand that there are significant amounts of evidence that urban agriculture works when it is designed properly. I hope to give them hope for the future and a pathway to successful change. ”The Food For Future Summit and Global Agtech Expo will underline Dubai’s status at the epicentre of the global food industry and a key driver of a worldwide food security movement, say regional innovators and event organisers.
Nikita Patel, Founder, Oasis Greens – the UAE’s newest local farm which grows fresh, pesticide-free produce locally and delivers to customers the day its harvested – believes the summit will propel the Emirates to the forefront of an agritech revolution.
“In the UAE we are on the cusp of strengthening local agriculture and cultivation capabilities to become a centre of excellence in the region for promoting food security,” she said. “As a hydroponics farm operator in the UAE, I look forward to using this summit to share best practices and connect with others in the UAE agriculture sector so we can all support each other in building robust and sustainable food systems.”
“This truly is a ground-breaking event in which global food and agritech innovators will provide a unique opportunity for delegates and visitors to deep dive into Agriculture 4.0, croptech, farming and health, as well as aquaculture, which combined are the fastest-growing segment in the food animal industry and forecast to hit US$275 billion within the next three years,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President, Exhibitions & Events, DWTC, organisers of the Food For Future Summit.
“The Summit is a powerful programme, which will deliver profound outcomes in a watershed moment when, for the first time, the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation partners the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment to advance the transformation of agrifood systems in the Middle East. It is history in the making, food for the future.”
For more information, visit https://www.foodforfuturesummit.com
