Abu dhabi: Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan inaugurated the second edition of Global Food Week 2025 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). The event, which will run until 23rd October 2025, has attracted participation from 75 countries.
According to Emirates News Agency, Dr Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, and Dr Abdullah Humaid Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Department of Energy – Abu Dhabi, attended the opening ceremony alongside senior officials, ambassadors, and international experts. The event highlights Abu Dhabi’s commitment to sustainable food systems and food security initiatives.
The exhibition area has expanded by 15% to 33,542 square metres, accommodating a 9% increase in participating companies and brands, totalling 2,070. Notably, 18 new countries are participating for the first time, with strong representation from Emirati companies, which make up 51% of the participants. The event serves as a platform for 543 companies and brands making their debut.
Dr Amna Al Dahak emphasized the UAE’s leadership in sustainable food security during her remarks at the Global Food Dialogues, highlighting the country’s pivotal role in global food security through partnerships and initiatives that enhance the resilience of food systems. She detailed new features of the event, such as the AgriTech Forum and the Agricultural Investment Forum, which underscore the UAE’s commitment to innovation and technology in agriculture.
Dr Abdullah Al Jarwan discussed the interconnectedness of food, water, and energy security, introducing the Department of Energy’s comprehensive water management strategy. He highlighted initiatives like mobile desalination units and solar-powered model farms aimed at improving agricultural productivity and efficiency.
Dr Tariq Ahmed Al Amri of ADAFSA noted that Global Food Week represents a strategic milestone in establishing Abu Dhabi as a hub for agricultural innovation. He pointed to initiatives like the Farmers’ Majlis and the Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Agricultural Excellence Award as pivotal in engaging farmers and promoting agricultural innovation.
Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri of ADNEC Group described the event as a platform for addressing global food challenges, featuring new initiatives like the Alternative Proteins Platform and the AgriTech Forum. Badr Salim Sultan Al-Olama of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office highlighted the event’s alignment with the National Food Security Strategy 2051, while Dr Abdelwahab Zayed Al-Bukhari of the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation detailed the significance of the Abu Dhabi Date Palm Exhibition.
Building on its previous success, Global Food Week 2025 is poised to attract global industry leaders, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s role in shaping the future of food systems through innovation and sustainable practices.