Future Food Forum 2025 Concludes With Global Food System United On Security And Trade
(MENAFN- Mid-East Info)
Saleh Lootah, Chairman of the UAE Food Cluster shared,“What we are seeing at the Forum this year is a consolidation of the progress that the UAE Food Cluster has made since its launch last year, and the new capacities we are building through partnership. Introducing the Knowledge Hub today demonstrated the strength of the cluster economy in action. We will carry this forward as we continue delivering projects that make a lasting contribution to the industry and to food security worldwide.” He also added:“The launch of the Knowledge Hub and the Cluster Champion Awards underline the UAE's ambition to set benchmarks for bolder thinking and action-oriented strategies in food systems. These initiatives will not only recognise excellence but also strengthen national food security and position the UAE as a contributor to global solutions.” The new Cluster Champion Awards were presented as the most important initiative for this year's Forum. Designed to align stakeholders across the food system, the Award aims to become a globally recognised honour for companies leading in their fields. Lootah expressed his personal commitment to making the Awards a defining standard for the sector, emphasising that they are part of a wider effort to strengthen the ecosystem and ensure that the UAE Food Cluster delivers impact beyond the Forum. The Forum demonstrated the Cluster's convening power by bringing together the Ministry of Health and Prevention, the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, and the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. Their joined participation reflected how the cluster economy – launched by the Ministry of Economy last year – is enabling ministries to work alongside business and academia to strengthen national competitiveness. Day two also marked the official inauguration of the UAE Food Cluster Knowledge Hub, a collaborative platform connecting research, industry, and regulators to accelerate innovation and talent development within food systems. The hub will serve as an intelligence backbone and a public-facing showcase of the UAE's food security achievements. As part of its role as a connector between local producers and global markets, the Forum facilitated more than 700 buyers' meetings from 67 leading international companies, generating over 300 business opportunities through a targeted matchmaking process carried out in collaboration with the Food & Beverage Manufacturers Business Group (FMBG). Every FMBG member benefitted from enhanced exposure and direct engagement with international markets, ensuring that their products and capabilities were showcased to a global audience. Alongside this, a Farmers' Showcase, organised with the National Agricultural Center gave local farmers a platform to present their products to international audiences, expanding their visibility and positioning them within global supply chains. “The UAE Food Cluster and GS1 UAE have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to co-develop the Universal Product Catalog, aligning with global GS1 standards. This landmark partnership will enhance product traceability, regulatory compliance, and dsigital integration across the UAE food ecosystem.” Rami Habbal, CEO of GS1 shared. Hassan Safi, CEO, Al Ain Farms Group commented,“Future Food Forum 2025 showed the power of collaboration in building the UAE's food future. For Al Ain Farms Group, it was a moment to reinforce our leadership, from partnering with Food Tech Valley on a state-of-the-art logistics hub, to showcasing how R&D drives to explore new possibilities, to contributing ideas on sustainable packaging and distribution. Each step reflects a single purpose: strengthening food security and advancing sustainability for the UAE and beyond.” With food systems increasingly tied to economic diversification and trade flows, the Forum reinforced the UAE's ambition to advance its F&B sector as a driver of domestic prosperity and partner in strengthening international economic progress. Looking ahead, the UAE Food Cluster, together with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, will ensure the Forum evolves into a continuous process to strengthen international partnerships and consolidate the UAE's position as a global hub for food trade and collaboration. The Forum is presented by Food Tech Valley, with founding partners Almarai, Al Ain Farms, Al Ghurair Group and IFFCO Group. DP World joins as trade enabling partner, while Abu Dhabi Food Hub – KEZAD serves as the food market access and supply chain partner. Platinum partners include Al Islami, Nestlé Middle East, RSA Cold Chain, and BRF, with GS1 UAE as the innovation partner. About Future Food Forum 2025: The Future Food Forum 2025 is hosted by the UAE Food & Beverage Business Group; it aims to connect and develop the food and beverage manufacturing industry and leaders and empower industry growth. It is the largest gathering of top executives and policymakers to address evolving consumption patterns and foster holistic health and well-being. The Forum will discuss trends and challenges in the region's F&B sector. Furthermore, with interactive panel sessions, CEO roundtables, and other activities, Future Food Forum 2025 strives to become a one-stop platform for learning the best practices. About UAE Food Cluster: The UAE Food Cluster is the nation's first economic cluster initiative, launched by the Ministry of Economy as part of the National Food Security Strategy 2051. The food cluster strategy aims to ensure self-sufficiency in food production and enhance the food ecosystem management through supporting agricultural enterprises and increasing local production. Driven in partnership with the private sector, the initiative targets increasing the sector's GDP contribution from AED 30 billion to AED 40 billion and enhancing foreign trade volume in the food sector from AED 25 billion to AED 40 billion. Through innovation, technology, and sustainability focus, the UAE Food Cluster brings together government, private sector, and research institutions to create an integrated ecosystem that reduces import dependency and positions the UAE as a regional food security leader.
-
More than 700 buyers' meetings and a dedicated farmers' showcase connected UAE producers with international markets, generating 300 new business opportunities.
Forum hosted the inaugural UAE Food Cluster Knowledge Hub, uniting industry, academia, and regulators to drive sustainable progress & growth.
Cluster Champion Awards launch; signaling the UAE's ambition to set new benchmarks for innovation, sustainability, and trade in the food sector.
Saleh Lootah, Chairman of the UAE Food Cluster shared,“What we are seeing at the Forum this year is a consolidation of the progress that the UAE Food Cluster has made since its launch last year, and the new capacities we are building through partnership. Introducing the Knowledge Hub today demonstrated the strength of the cluster economy in action. We will carry this forward as we continue delivering projects that make a lasting contribution to the industry and to food security worldwide.” He also added:“The launch of the Knowledge Hub and the Cluster Champion Awards underline the UAE's ambition to set benchmarks for bolder thinking and action-oriented strategies in food systems. These initiatives will not only recognise excellence but also strengthen national food security and position the UAE as a contributor to global solutions.” The new Cluster Champion Awards were presented as the most important initiative for this year's Forum. Designed to align stakeholders across the food system, the Award aims to become a globally recognised honour for companies leading in their fields. Lootah expressed his personal commitment to making the Awards a defining standard for the sector, emphasising that they are part of a wider effort to strengthen the ecosystem and ensure that the UAE Food Cluster delivers impact beyond the Forum. The Forum demonstrated the Cluster's convening power by bringing together the Ministry of Health and Prevention, the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, and the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. Their joined participation reflected how the cluster economy – launched by the Ministry of Economy last year – is enabling ministries to work alongside business and academia to strengthen national competitiveness. Day two also marked the official inauguration of the UAE Food Cluster Knowledge Hub, a collaborative platform connecting research, industry, and regulators to accelerate innovation and talent development within food systems. The hub will serve as an intelligence backbone and a public-facing showcase of the UAE's food security achievements. As part of its role as a connector between local producers and global markets, the Forum facilitated more than 700 buyers' meetings from 67 leading international companies, generating over 300 business opportunities through a targeted matchmaking process carried out in collaboration with the Food & Beverage Manufacturers Business Group (FMBG). Every FMBG member benefitted from enhanced exposure and direct engagement with international markets, ensuring that their products and capabilities were showcased to a global audience. Alongside this, a Farmers' Showcase, organised with the National Agricultural Center gave local farmers a platform to present their products to international audiences, expanding their visibility and positioning them within global supply chains. “The UAE Food Cluster and GS1 UAE have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to co-develop the Universal Product Catalog, aligning with global GS1 standards. This landmark partnership will enhance product traceability, regulatory compliance, and dsigital integration across the UAE food ecosystem.” Rami Habbal, CEO of GS1 shared. Hassan Safi, CEO, Al Ain Farms Group commented,“Future Food Forum 2025 showed the power of collaboration in building the UAE's food future. For Al Ain Farms Group, it was a moment to reinforce our leadership, from partnering with Food Tech Valley on a state-of-the-art logistics hub, to showcasing how R&D drives to explore new possibilities, to contributing ideas on sustainable packaging and distribution. Each step reflects a single purpose: strengthening food security and advancing sustainability for the UAE and beyond.” With food systems increasingly tied to economic diversification and trade flows, the Forum reinforced the UAE's ambition to advance its F&B sector as a driver of domestic prosperity and partner in strengthening international economic progress. Looking ahead, the UAE Food Cluster, together with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, will ensure the Forum evolves into a continuous process to strengthen international partnerships and consolidate the UAE's position as a global hub for food trade and collaboration. The Forum is presented by Food Tech Valley, with founding partners Almarai, Al Ain Farms, Al Ghurair Group and IFFCO Group. DP World joins as trade enabling partner, while Abu Dhabi Food Hub – KEZAD serves as the food market access and supply chain partner. Platinum partners include Al Islami, Nestlé Middle East, RSA Cold Chain, and BRF, with GS1 UAE as the innovation partner. About Future Food Forum 2025: The Future Food Forum 2025 is hosted by the UAE Food & Beverage Business Group; it aims to connect and develop the food and beverage manufacturing industry and leaders and empower industry growth. It is the largest gathering of top executives and policymakers to address evolving consumption patterns and foster holistic health and well-being. The Forum will discuss trends and challenges in the region's F&B sector. Furthermore, with interactive panel sessions, CEO roundtables, and other activities, Future Food Forum 2025 strives to become a one-stop platform for learning the best practices. About UAE Food Cluster: The UAE Food Cluster is the nation's first economic cluster initiative, launched by the Ministry of Economy as part of the National Food Security Strategy 2051. The food cluster strategy aims to ensure self-sufficiency in food production and enhance the food ecosystem management through supporting agricultural enterprises and increasing local production. Driven in partnership with the private sector, the initiative targets increasing the sector's GDP contribution from AED 30 billion to AED 40 billion and enhancing foreign trade volume in the food sector from AED 25 billion to AED 40 billion. Through innovation, technology, and sustainability focus, the UAE Food Cluster brings together government, private sector, and research institutions to create an integrated ecosystem that reduces import dependency and positions the UAE as a regional food security leader.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Most popular stories
Market Research
- Kintsu Launches Shype On Hyperliquid
- Barunson, Studio Behind Parasite, To Launch Nplug IP Remixing Platform On Story And Bring Flagship IP Onchain
- Moonbirds And Azuki IP Coming To Verse8 As AI-Native Game Platform Integrates With Story
- Leverage Shares Launches First 3X Single-Stock Etps On HOOD, HIMS, UNH And Others
- Alchemy Markets Launches Tradingview Integration For Direct Chart-Based Trading
- Dexari Unveils $1M Cash Prize Trading Competition
More Story
Comments
No comment