Harmonizing research efforts is key to achieving food security, UAE state minister says

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  • As part of the directives of the wise leadership and the country’s research on future food security, H.E. Mariam Bint Mohammed Almheiri will oversee ICBA.
    As part of the directives of the wise leadership and the country’s research on future food security, H.E. Mariam Bint Mohammed Almheiri will oversee ICBA.
1 March 2018

Her Excellency Mariam Bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of State for Future Food Security, said that harmonizing the UAE’s research efforts as part of a comprehensive national program is key to establishing a comprehensive national strategy to achieve future food security, and will help to adopt the outcomes of scientific research in an ideal way, promote effective practices, and improve the country’s international competitiveness in food security.

As part of the directives of the wise leadership and the country’s research on future food security, H.E. Mariam Bint Mohammed Almheiri will oversee the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), which conducts applied agricultural research with the aim of aligning relevant international, regional and national research efforts.

Dr. Ismahane Elouafi, Director General of ICBA, said: "Since its establishment in 1999 by the UAE’s wise leadership and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), the center has conducted research programs to develop and facilitate scientific knowledge and share related technology in over 30 countries."

"Due to the ongoing support of the UAE government, IDB and other donors, our center has continued to address key environmental challenges, such as climate change, lack of food security and scarcity of water. It has also helped agricultural communities with limited resources in various countries," Dr. Ismahane Elouafi added while thanking the UAE government.

"As an international center hosted by the UAE, we are honored by the UAE government’s ongoing support for our mission. Food security and nutrition is at the top of our priorities and our research and development initiatives due to their importance to the government, which is also reflected in the appointment of H.E. Mariam Bint Mohammed Almheiri, who is responsible for future food security. This will make us continue our work to strengthen our cooperation with government authorities, research institutions and universities in the UAE, to support national initiatives related to food security, nutrition and water management," she said in conclusion.