The Dubai International Food Safety Conference has launched its 18th edition at the Dubai World Trade Centre, gathering over 3,000 food safety experts from around the globe. Running until October 23, this year’s theme, “Future Foresight in Food Safety,” addresses proactive strategies for emerging challenges in the food sector and the urgent need for sustainable solutions.
In his opening speech, Dawoud Al Hajri, Director-General of Dubai Municipality, emphasized the importance of balancing agility with technological innovations. He stated, “The Dubai International Food Safety Conference holds a prestigious global status, providing an important platform for specialists, research institutions, and global organisations in the food sector to exchange ideas and innovations, as well as to benefit from leading expertise in food safety.”
Al Hajri highlighted the necessity of a proactive approach to confront global challenges like climate change and evolving food manufacturing patterns. He stressed the need to develop modern technologies that enhance regulatory bodies’ abilities to predict risks and provide sustainable solutions using AI and big data analytics.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations has recognized the conference as an official event for World Food Day, aligning with the FAO’s emphasis on solidarity and collective action for a sustainable food future.
Dr. Kayan Akram Jaff, Head of Mission of the FAO Sub-regional Office for the Gulf Cooperation Council States and Yemen, remarked, “The global food sector is facing significant challenges that threaten the safety of food systems and limit their ability to keep pace with ongoing changes. This necessitates our collaboration and collective action to innovate solutions that enhance our capacity to anticipate the future and mitigate the impacts of these challenges.”
The conference offers a robust program of sessions and workshops focused on innovative solutions for global food safety, covering topics such as sustainable nutrition, genetically modified foods, and advancements in food testing technologies. Dr. Jaff’s keynote speech, “From Farm to Table: Building Sustainable Food Systems for the Future,” discussed the vital role of global organizations in creating resilient food systems.
A workshop in collaboration with the Dubai Future Foundation aims to promote innovative thinking for food security and safety. Key topics also include proactive management of chemical and microbial risks, food safety during transport, and crisis management in the food industry.
This year’s conference features a dedicated program for students and young researchers, providing them a platform to present their research and engage with experts. Educational seminars and scientific poster presentations will raise awareness about food safety and the youth’s role in developing future solutions.
As the conference progresses, it underscores the collaborative efforts required to address the pressing challenges in the food sector today.
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