Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, has approved the launch of the AgriFood Growth and Water Abundance (AGWA) Cluster.
Located in Abu Dhabi, AGWA is an integrated economic cluster poised to play a leading role in global efforts to tackle food shortages and water scarcity.
AGWA taps into a AED77.4 trillion industry with significant potential for economic growth and job creation. By 2045, AGWA is expected to contribute AED90 billion ($24.5 billion) in incremental GDP to Abu Dhabi’s economy, create more than 60,000 new jobs, and attract AED128 billion in investments.
What will the AGWA cluster do?
Led by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), AGWA is set to become a global hub for novel food and ingredients, as well as technologies to increase access to and the utilisation of water resources. The cluster is designed to support local suppliers and exporters alike, serving as a platform to maximise commercial opportunities. The cluster aims to help meet increasing global demand, alleviate pressures on agricultural systems, address shifting dietary patterns, capitalise on technological advancements, and support global food security to ensure a reliable and resilient supply chain.
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AGWA will support pioneers in the food and water industry to leverage innovations in alternative proteins, algae and reverse osmosis technologies, and also to enhance traditional food and water production and supply.
Strengthening food, water security
Sheikh Khaled emphasised the pivotal role of the cluster in strengthening the national food and water security ecosystem, adding that by embracing cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions, the cluster will cultivate sustainable local production and effectively address the increasing international and regional demand for food and water.
He also highlighted that food and water security is a top national priority for the leadership to ensure a resilient agricultural and water production ecosystem, using smart solutions and driving research and innovation projects in modern agricultural technologies to not only diversify the local economy but also propel sustainable development in line with the goals of the National Food Security Strategy 2051 and the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036.
Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, chairman of ADDED, said: “AGWA is a game changer in our efforts to further diversify the economy, enhance innovation, and achieve objectives of the UAE food security strategy 2051. It enables us to accelerate innovations in advanced technologies to address the pressing needs for sustainable water and food sources both locally and globally”.
Badr Al-Olama, director-general at ADIO, said: “Abu Dhabi’s new food and water economic cluster addresses sustainability, critical global challenges, and new investment opportunities. This is the next step in achieving Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification strategy by accelerating non-oil sectors.”
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