Sharjah: The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) has concluded its participation in the recent International Government Communication Forum (IGCF) held at the Sharjah Expo Centre on September 10-11. Officials and experts from MOCCAE presented the UAE's strategic vision for enhancing national food security and sustainable development, emphasizing the importance of youth empowerment, advanced technology adoption, and effective community communication as foundations for a sustainable and prosperous future.
According to Emirates News Agency, the Forum featured substantial international engagement with 237 speakers conducting over 110 activities across five key tracks: Food Security, Public Health, Education, Environmental Sustainability, and Green Economy. Ministry officials highlighted initiatives and policies that position the UAE at the forefront of nations balancing economic development with environmental protection.
In a session titled 'Youth's Contributions to Enhancing Quality of Life and Strengthening Food Security,' Dr. Mohammed Salman Al Hammadi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Food Diversity Sector at MOCCAE, emphasized the UAE's strategic transformation of its climate and desert challenges into opportunities, leveraging modern agricultural technologies like vertical farming to reduce water consumption and mitigate high temperatures. He noted that the UAE hosts some of the world's largest and most advanced vertical farms.
Dr. Al Hammadi underscored the Ministry's strategy to empower young people through training and leadership initiatives, such as the 'Plant the Emirates' National Programme, which aims to empower Emirati farmers and promote home gardening. Other initiatives like the 'Mustadeem' programme and the Emirates Youth Council for Agriculture are designed to prepare future agricultural leaders and give young people a voice in shaping the sector's future.
Hiba Obaid Al Shehhi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Biodiversity and Aquatic Life Sector at MOCCAE, detailed the ambitious federal vision for marine resource management, highlighting the National Biodiversity Strategy 2031. This strategy includes expanding marine protected areas and initiatives like planting 100 million mangroves by 2030 and launching the region's largest coral reef rehabilitation project.
Al Shehhi stressed the importance of community communication in building partnerships, suggesting a national initiative 'Towards a National Partnership for the Sea' to involve all stakeholders in sustainable marine engagement, ensuring policies reflect societal will and determination.
In another session, Dr. Ibrahim Abdulla Al Jamali, Director of the Fisheries Department, discussed the National Framework Statement for Sustainable Fisheries 2019-2030, which focuses on sustainable and economically viable fishing practices. He emphasized the Ministry's science-based approach, leveraging research and socio-economic studies to inform decision-making and support fishermen.
Hajar Bakhit Al Ketbi, Director of Government Communication, highlighted the Ministry's communication philosophy that emphasizes connection with cultural values over mere information dissemination. She cited initiatives like the National Food Loss and Waste Initiative (ne'ma) and National Environment Day slogans as examples of the Ministry's strategy to foster pride in local products and engage society in sustainable practices.
The Ministry's active participation in the IGCF reflects its commitment to utilizing community dialogue and innovative communication to achieve the UAE's sustainable and food-secure vision.