(MENAFN- Mid-East Info)

• In 2024, the partnership helped divert 310 kg of food waste from landfill, prevented 787 kg of CO2e, and produced 62 kg of compost.
• Through utilizing ne'ma's Climate-conscious UAE Zero Food Waste Events Guide, large-scale events can significantly reduce their environmental footprint.

Abu Dhabi, UAE, November, 2025 ne'ma – the National Food Loss and Waste Initiative – announced its continued collaboration with Taste of Abu Dhabi as the festival's official Food Waste Reduction Partner for the event's 2025 edition. The partnership reinforces the initiative's national mission to reduce food waste and promote responsible consumption across the UAE. This is the second year in a row that ne'ma will be present at Taste of Abu Dhabi, which takes place from 14–16 November 2025 at Gateway Park North, Yas Island. The festival is expected to welcome more than 19,000 visitors. It will showcase a range of food experiences, live demonstrations, and entertainment celebrating the city's vibrant food culture. Throughout the three-day event, ne'ma will collaborate with participating chefs, restaurants, and vendors to effectively manage food waste. ne'ma will also educate visitors on how food waste occurs, providing practical solutions that can be easily implemented in day-to-day life. As the national custodian for combating food loss and waste, ne'ma is partnering with UAE-based start-up, ReLoop by Ecyclex to compost food waste and organic materials generated at the event. This nutrient-rich compost will support local farms and divert food waste from landfill. ne'ma's return to Taste of Abu Dhabi comes after the launch of the Climate-Conscious UAE Zero Food Waste Event Guide in 2024. The guide is a practical, public resource that outlines ten actionable steps for event organizers to plan, manage, and host food-waste-conscious events. Since launch, the guide has been applied across major Abu Dhabi events in collaboration with partners, including the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, and at industry platforms such as the IUCN World Conservation Congress and Al Hosn Festival. The guide is available for organizations to access via ne'ma's website to support circular practices and behavior-based measures that minimize waste at events of every size. Khuloud Hasan Al Nuwais, Chief Sustainability Officer of Emirates Foundation and ne'ma Steering Committee Secretary-General, said:“Supporting Taste of Abu Dhabi for a second year is about consistency, scale, and measurable impact. Large public events can accelerate the shift from awareness to everyday action, in kitchens, homes, and supply chains. With the Zero Waste Events Guide now available to every organizer in the UAE, we are standardizing circular practices, improving data on food waste, and inviting partners across the ecosystem to help halve food waste by 2030. This is how we build a future where no food is wasted.” By returning to the popular festival for a second year, ne'ma underscores its commitment to consistency and measurable impact. In 2024, the partnership helped divert 310 kg of food waste from landfill, prevented 787 kg of CO2e, and produced 62 kg of compost. The collaboration also raised public awareness on food waste reduction, a foundation that the 2025 edition aims to strengthen further through enhanced composting, data collection, and visitor engagement. Victoria Burn, Event Director, Taste of Abu Dhabi said,“We're proud to welcome ne'ma back as our Food Waste Reduction Partner. Taste events are about exceptional experiences, and that includes doing things responsibly. With ne'ma's guidance, we're raising the bar on how major festivals operate: better sorting, smarter menus, food rescue, and transparent reporting. It's good for our guests, good for our partners, and good for Abu Dhabi.” Through effective advocacy, partnerships, and community outreach, ne'ma continues to drive a nationwide movement that values food as a resource. This aligns with the UAE Food Security Strategy 2051 and Sustainable Development Goal 12.3, aiming to transform the UAE into a nation where no food is wasted. About ne'ma: ne'ma – the National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, is a response to the call to action by the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to reduce food waste, encourage individual and social responsibility, and promote sustainable practices across the food value chain. Established in 2022, ne'ma aims to address overproduction and overconsumption and build new standards that can contribute to the reduction of food loss and food waste, reconnecting with the country's deep-rooted traditional values of social responsibility and mindful stewardship of national resources.

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