(MENAFN- Weber Shandwick) Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 1 October 2025: Dubai Municipality today organised the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste Forum at Al Khoory Sky Garden Hotel, bringing together leading experts and partners from across the region and internationally. The forum aimed to strengthen collective efforts to reduce food loss and waste, while promoting sustainable and balanced food practices that reinforce Dubai’s advanced health, safety, and sustainability framework.
The event forms part of Dubai Municipality’s wider initiatives to encourage conscious consumption, raise awareness about reducing food loss, and advocate for efficient institutional policies in food and resource management. It also reflects the Municipality’s commitment to impactful partnerships with government entities, private sector stakeholders, and educational institutions, ensuring food security and self-sufficiency for individuals, families, and businesses.
A comprehensive approach to sustainability
Dr Naseem Al Refaei, Acting CEO of the Environment, Health and Safety Agency at Dubai Municipality, highlighted the Municipality’s integrated approach to tackling food loss and waste: “One of the most pressing global challenges today is the increasing rate of food loss and waste and its impact on food security, resources, and access to adequate, safe, and healthy nutrition.”
She continued: “This forum provides an inclusive platform to highlight sustainable practices that protect our food resources and foster collaboration across the community and professional sectors to curb waste and enhance efficiency in food supply chains. It also aligns with Dubai’s commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. The forum underscores the city’s pioneering role in improving food systems, enhancing quality of life, and strengthening environmental governance, making Dubai an even more attractive, sustainable, and liveable city.”
Khuloud Hasan Al Nuwais, Chief Sustainability Officer at Emirates Foundation and Secretary-General of the Ne’ma Committee, said: “The National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, Ne’ma, was launched under the directives of our wise leadership to unify national efforts towards the ambitious target of reducing food loss and waste by 50% by 2030, in line with the National Food Security Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. Since its inception, Ne’ma has been building an integrated ecosystem of partnerships and awareness programmes, inspired by the legacy of our forefathers in moderation and resourcefulness, and dedicated to engaging every sector of society. This collective effort positions the UAE as a pioneering model in the sustainable and efficient management of food resources.”
She added: “Our participation in Dubai Municipality’s Forum on the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste reaffirms Ne’ma’s commitment to working hand in hand with government entities, the private sector, and civil society to change behaviours and practices that lead to waste. By raising awareness and fostering more sustainable daily habits, we ensure the preservation of food resources for future generations and strengthen the efficiency of the entire food value chain. At Ne’ma, we believe that true change begins with awareness and action, building a future where food waste has no place in the UAE.”
FAO partnership
Ahmad Mukhtar, FAO Regional Representative for the UAE, said: “The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is proud to join Dubai Municipality and the UAE in marking the sixth International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, under the theme ‘Stop food loss and waste. For the people. For the planet.’”
He added: “At a time when the UAE continues to lead in promoting sustainability and awareness on this critical issue, the commemoration highlights the importance of immediate, collective action across all sectors. With the world’s population expected to reach nearly 10 billion by 2050, reducing food loss and waste is vital to protecting resources, cutting greenhouse gas emissions, and ensuring food security and nutrition for present and future generations.”
International perspective
According to FAO, nearly one-third of all food produced globally — approximately 1.3 billion tonnes — is wasted annually. In the Gulf region alone, per capita food loss and waste is estimated at around 250 kilograms per year. These alarming figures underscore the urgent need for collaboration between communities, governments, and the private sector to reduce waste, strengthen awareness, and ensure sustainable, efficient food systems.
Dubai Municipality initiatives
In line with these goals, Dubai Municipality continues to implement comprehensive food awareness programmes. These include:
• Educational workshops for school students to encourage responsible consumption and instil sustainable practices from an early age.
• Training sessions for food establishments to improve food handling and supply chain management.
• Community campaigns, run seasonally, that focus on meal planning, responsible consumption, and redistributing surplus food.
A global day of action
The International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, observed annually on 29 September, serves as a global reminder of the urgent need to address waste across supply chains. More than a commemoration, it is a call for collaboration and collective responsibility to build safer, fairer, and more sustainable food systems.

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