UAE leads global food security efforts on World Food Day

October 15, 2025 / 9:59 PM

Sharjah 24 – WAM: To mark World Food Day, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charitable Establishment (MBRC) and the DIHAD Sustainable Organisation hosted a high-level panel discussion titled “From Giving to Sustainability: The UAE’s Leadership in Global Food Security.” Held at the Museum of the Future in Dubai, the event brought together influential humanitarian leaders and development experts to explore the UAE’s evolving role in combating global hunger

Distinguished guests and panelists

The session featured several prominent participants, including Abdullah Al Basti, Chairman of MBRC’s Board of Trustees; Saeed Aletter, Assistant Secretary-General of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives; Ambassador Dr. Abdulsalam AlMadani, Chairman of the DIHAD Sustainable Organisation; and Stephen Anderson, Director of the World Food Programme’s UAE Office. The session was moderated by Khaled Al Attar, Director-General of the DIHAD Sustainable Organisation. Together, they discussed the UAE’s efforts to drive food security through innovation, sustainable partnerships, and forward-looking humanitarian development.

UAE’s humanitarian vision

Speakers emphasised the UAE’s pioneering initiatives to create self-sufficient food systems and strengthen international cooperation in response to growing global challenges. In alignment with this year’s World Food Day theme, “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future,” panelists highlighted the UAE’s sustained commitment to practical, scalable projects that address hunger and food insecurity.

Dr AlMadani underscored the importance of food security as a foundation for human stability, praising the UAE’s ability to turn compassion into tangible solutions that benefit vulnerable communities around the world.

DIHAD’s global humanitarian impact

The DIHAD Sustainable Organisation was commended for its leadership in humanitarian innovation, particularly through international programmes such as the DIHAD Humanitarian College. Launched in partnership with UCAM University in Spain, the College offers the world’s first Master’s Degree in Sustainable Humanitarian Action. The programme, introduced in 2022, is designed to equip future humanitarian professionals with both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in addressing complex global challenges.

Showcasing UAE’s global initiatives

The panel highlighted several impactful UAE-led initiatives, including the “1 Billion Meals” campaign, which has reached over 65 countries, and the development projects spearheaded by MBRC to enhance food access both locally and internationally. These efforts reflect the UAE’s shift from emergency relief to long-term development strategies that empower communities and foster sustainable growth.

Advancing the SDGs and international cooperation

The session also focused on the importance of aligning efforts with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 2: Zero Hunger. Speakers called for enhanced international cooperation to address the growing impact of climate change on food security, improve the resilience of food systems, and ensure year-round access to safe, sufficient nutrition worldwide.

A global model of humanitarian leadership

Concluding the discussion, participants described the UAE’s humanitarian and development approach as a global model that blends strategic foresight with deep-rooted values of generosity and shared responsibility. The event closed with a unified call for global collaboration to build a hunger-free, sustainable future for all, reaffirming the UAE’s leadership in the global humanitarian landscape.