Abu Dhabi-based investment powerhouse ADQ has announced a strategic partnership with ne’ma, the UAE’s National Food Loss and Waste Initiative. This multi-year collaboration aims to combat food waste across the entire food value chain, from farm to table.
Addressing a global challenge
Launched in 2022 under the patronage of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ne’ma is a joint effort between the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and Emirates Foundation. It seeks to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12.3, which calls for halving food loss and waste by 2030.
According to the U.N., 13 percent of food is lost between harvest and retail, while an additional 19 percent is wasted at the consumer level. This food waste contributes significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 8 to 10 percent of the total.
ne’ma takes a comprehensive approach to tackling food waste, driving policy changes and implementing projects to address the root causes. This partnership with ADQ will further strengthen ne’ma’s efforts by leveraging ADQ’s expertise and resources in the food and agriculture sector, WAM reported.
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Data-driven solutions
The partnership will involve developing joint initiatives and exploring collaboration opportunities with third parties to reduce food loss and promote responsible consumption habits. ne’ma will also provide ADQ with valuable data on food loss hotspots and systemic gaps, enabling them to identify and address key challenges.
ADQ’s Food & Agriculture cluster is actively working to close supply chain gaps and scale sustainable production through investments in agricultural technology and expansion of domestic farming capabilities. This partnership with ne’ma further strengthens their commitment to building a resilient and sustainable food system in the UAE and beyond.
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