Day: May 14, 2024

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ayman Safadi, met on Monday with Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Faisal Mekdad, ahead of the Arab Foreign Ministers’ preparatory meeting for the Arab League Council at the summit level, which is hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The two ministers discussed efforts aimed at halting the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip and the humanitarian catastrophe caused by the aggression.

The two ministers also discussed the agenda of the Arab Foreign Ministers’ meeting and ways to enhance coordination and cooperation on priority issues, primarily the Palestinian issue, and the efforts exerted within the Arab context to achieve security and stability in the region.

Safadi and Mekdad touched on efforts to reach a political solution to the Syrian crisis that preserves the unity and cohesion of Syria, realizes the aspirations of its people, respects its sovereignty, rids it of terrorism and provides the necessary conditions for t
he voluntary return of Syrian refugees to their country.

They emphasized the importance of the role of the Arab Ministerial Contact Group on Syria within the efforts made in the context of the Arab track.

Safadi underscored the need to reach a political solution to the Syrian crisis according to a step-by-step methodology in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254, which addresses all the humanitarian, security and political repercussions of the crisis.

Safadi and Mekdad also covered several bilateral issues, including border security and the fight against drug smuggling, and reviewed the results of the contacts conducted by the concerned authorities in the two countries to stop smuggling operations and defeat the danger they pose.

The two ministers underlined the continuation of consultation and coordination within the framework of the common interest of ending the Syrian crisis and developing cooperation that reflects positively on the two countries.

Source: Jordan News Agency

DUBAI: Khedaim Abdullah Al Derei, Co-Founder and Managing Director at Al Dahra Holding, said the company employs advanced technologies and innovative concepts to drive its global investments in the high-quality food sector.

These investments contribute to the sustainability of the UAE’s food sector and align with Al Dahra’s goal of becoming a reliable global partner and sustainable supplier of agricultural and food products.

The company aims to ensure sufficient, high-quality supplies while supporting agriculture, production, distribution, logistics, and the protection of the environment and natural resources.

Al Dahra is a prominent national leader in agribusiness, and one of the partners of the Food Innovation Hub UAE, which was established in collaboration between Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) and the World Economic Forum (WEF) with the aim of developing solutions and initiatives to enhance food production, ensure the sustainability of food supply chains and fight hunger glob
ally.

Speaking on the sidelines of his participation at the Food Innovation Conference 2024, Al Derei said, ‘Al Dahra’s participation in the conference stems from understanding the vital role of innovation in our field of work, so we consistently invest in new tech that drives production efficiency and quality. We believe innovation is the key to facing all challenges, including climate change and the scarcity of resources.’

‘Food industries are undergoing rapid transformations, prompting us to come up with sustainable cutting-edge solutions in order to keep up. To this end, technology offers the means to make significant strides in enhancing the sustainability of the food sector, while improving quality of life across communities. The conference provides a great opportunity to share expertise with various players in the field, and we hope Al Dahra is part of the solution to empower a comprehensive, inclusive and sustainable food system,’ he added.

As a global pioneer in cultivating, producing, and supplyi
ng animal feed and food crops, Al Dahra adopts a holistic strategy that employs the latest technologies and practices in the food sector. This approach aligns with its commitment to offering high-quality products that meet customer expectations while delivering on its promise of sustainability and social responsibility at every stage of the process.

Since its establishment in 1995, Al Dahra has focused on supporting food sustainability and security in the UAE through successful local and international projects in cultivation, production, and trading of meats, essential food commodities, and animal feed, as well as managing the entire supply chain.

Additionally, the company adopts innovative strategies aimed at curbing climate change, price fluctuation, and supply chain challenges. Recognising the threats posed by climate change, such as the reduction of arable land and the depletion of water resources, Al Dahra works relentlessly to sustainably feed a growing population.

A major player in food security eff
orts of Abu Dhabi in particular and the UAE in general, Al Dahra is a prominent multinational leader in agribusiness, with over 400 thousand acres of agricultural land in Egypt, Romania, Serbia, USA, and others, specialising in the cultivation, production in addition to trading of nearly 3 million tons of animal feed and up to 3 million tons of essential food commodities and end-to-end supply chain management.

Serving a large customer base from the Government and Commercial sectors, Al Dahra has a widespread geographic footprint, operating in over 20 countries and catering to more than 40 markets with a leading position in Asia and the Middle East.

The Food Innovation Conference 2024, hosted in the Museum of the Future and Emirates Towers between 13 and 15 May, brings together over 150 international experts and academics, alongside local, regional and global private sector players and farmers. The conference features several discussion panels highlighting the role of technology in supporting resilient, incl
usive and sustainable food systems, while facilitating global cooperation and addressing the latest trends in food system sustainability.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Gaza – Ma’an Exclusive – On the eighth day of the start of the military occupation operation in Rafah, Israeli occupation tanks crossed Salah al-Din Street, east of the governorate.

Salah El-Din Street is located 2 kilometers from the border with Palestine occupied in 1948, and is located on the border of the population density of the eastern Rafah neighborhoods.

The tanks entered the west of the Rafah crossing in what appeared to be an attempted incursion across the border with Egypt.

Other tanks also entered George Street in the Al-Salam neighborhood amid artillery shelling that included the neighborhood in addition to the Brazil neighborhood and the Tannour area surrounding Al-Najjar Hospital and Khirbet Al-Adas, where the occupation destroyed the headquarters of the Palestinian Red Crescent.

The occupation tanks and aircraft expanded the bombing circle to reach the city center, including Al-Awda Roundabout, Al-Shaboura Camp, and Yabna Camp, which have the highest population density in Rafah.

Accordin
g to the United Nations, more than 350,000 Palestinians have left Rafah, while local circles confirm the departure of more than half a million out of 1,300,000 who resided in Rafah in recent months.

Hundreds of thousands of displaced people also left west of Rafah, although those areas have not yet been threatened by the occupation army.

As the operation continues, the Rafah crossing continues to be closed, and the Israeli siege on various areas of the Gaza Strip tightens.

Source: Maan News Agency

DUBAI: The Boulevard exhibition, held on the sidelines of the Food Innovation Conference 2024, drew a wide participation of stakeholders, investors and national and global companies specialised in food and agricultural products to explore the latest food system innovations.

The exhibition highlighted avant-garde services, products, and technologies designed to accelerate the adoption of innovation and provide effective solutions in the face of challenges that hinder the sustainability of global food supplies.

Held on the sidelines of the conference, and organised by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) in collaboration with the World Economic Forum (WEF), the exhibition provided an optimal opportunity for specialised companies to exchange expertise and knowledge and discuss the latest trends in food sustainability.

It was developed as an interactive platform to attract the public and educate guests on the most disruptive technologies and initiatives that are shaping the future of food
systems.

The model showcase introduced the conference’s guests and visitors to the latest achievements of the ‘Food Tech Valley’, which was launched in 2021 by His His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, with aims to triple the UAE’s food production.

The ‘Food Tech Valley’, a joint project between the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and Wasl Group, aims to create a modern city that includes integrated food management within its activities.

The project aims to serve as a hub for future clean tech-based food and agricultural products and an incubator for researchers, entrepreneurs, startups and industry experts involved in developing solutions that have the potential to shape the future of the food industry. The ‘Food Tech Valley’ is to become the trademark and benchmark for food management systems sustainability regionally and globally.

The model showcase displayed the innovative ideas of the ‘Food Tech Valley’ project, centred aroun
d food, innovation, knowledge, technology, and sustainability. The project seeks to transform the UAE into a global hub for technology-driven food and agricultural solutions.

The showcase also highlighted the project’s role in supporting the use of technologies and applied research in food processing and agriculture, and how it applies modern farming techniques – such as vertical farming, aquaculture and hydroponics – to accelerate self-sufficiency in fresh food produce and reduce wastage of resources.

The exhibition displayed the four clusters of the Food Tech Valley: agricultural technology and engineering, a food innovation centre, RandD facilities, and an advanced smart food logistics hub. These clusters will employ modern farming techniques and innovative projects involving bioengineering, automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence.

Visitors and participants also explored the project’s plans to attract creative minds and entrepreneurs in smart food production to implement the highest standards
of sustainability and technological innovation in the food sector.

During the exhibition, Elite Agro, specialised in the design and construction of agricultural facilities on a global scale, showcased modern farming techniques where science and innovation merged with nature preservation and sustainability. These sustainable agricultural practices were designed to safeguard natural resources like soil, water, or climate and ensure cultivating healthy food.

The company highlighted the role of drones in advancing the agricultural sector through aerial surveys of agricultural areas to capture detailed data and information. It also showcased how the Internet of Things (IoT) provided technical support for farmers in developing countries.

This interactive showcase presented a vision for the future of arid climate food production, highlighting the use of advanced agricultural technologies designed to reduce water consumption. The showcase explored the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly farming
practices capable of addressing soil and water salinity issues.

The showcase offered visitors an immersive VR experience to explore the latest smart farming technologies and automated agricultural systems such as irrigation, pest control, soil and crop monitoring, as well as best practices in vertical and hydroponic farming.

Agerpoint offered visitors a VR experience to explore advanced farm scanning technologies through the Agerpoint Capture app. This app measures plant quantity, height, diameter, and biomass, assesses crop health, predicts crop growth and yield, tracks wildfire risk and invasive species, as well as evaluates and monitors biodiversity.

The exhibition, held on the sidelines of the Food Innovation Conference 2024, comes in support of global efforts to advance food production technologies to address the impact of rising hunger and malnutrition globally. It also highlighted the significant role of modern technologies in mitigating climate change and enhancing agricultural systems that employ
climate-smart practices, producing a diverse array of foodstuffs within a resilient system.

The Food Innovation Conference 2024, held in Dubai from 13th to 15th May under the theme ‘Reimagining Future Food Systems’, brings together over 150 experts, academics, public and private companies, and farmers to discuss the latest trends in global food sustainability, exchange knowledge, scale frontier technology solutions and accelerate the movement of food systems innovation globally.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Bethlehem – Ma’an – The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRA) estimated that 450,000 people have been ‘forcibly displaced’ from Rafah since May 6, when Israeli occupation forces entered the east of the city.

The agency added, “People are facing constant exhaustion and hunger, and there is no safe place, and an immediate ceasefire is the only hope.”

Source: Maan News Agency