GeneDubai: United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and United Arab Emirates strengthened their strategic partnership by entering into two separate partnership, celebrating the World Food Day at Expo 2020 Dubai site.
The two independently vital agreements, the first with respect to the project ‘Hand-in-Hand Zimbabwe- Smallholder Horticulture Recovery & Inclusion Project (SHRIP)’ and the second involving renewing the Credit Fund for the Sub-regional Coordinator for the GCC and Yemen are part of the UAE’s leading efforts to promote world food security, strengthen food systems, and contribute to eliminating hunger worldwide.
Sharing her remarks after signing both agreements, Ms. Mariam Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment stated that, “Led by a visionary leadership, the UAE strives to strengthen its strategic partnerships with international entities that work to support food security, establish sustainable food systems and tackle the most pressing global challenges, including hunger, poverty and climate change. To achieve this, the UAE follows the highest sustainability standards and implements environment-friendly solutions as part of international-based support programmes coordinated by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. These efforts have resulted in numerous partnerships, such as the one we celebrate today with FAO – one of our most significant partners regionally and internationally.”
The Climate Change and Environment Minister further added that, “We are excited about this collaboration as it supports the efforts of the Sub-regional Coordinator for the GCC and Yemen, as well as their ambitious projects and initiatives, through which we aim to achieve a better future for the food-related sectors and sustainable development in the UAE and the region. It is also our pleasure to sign the agreement supporting the SHRIP – as this reflects the UAE’s commitment to establishing collaborations across different areas of the world and enabling smallholder farmers to improve their lives, income, and economic status. At the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment we are committed to ensuring the successful implementation of the project and are delighted to have the opportunity to complement the sterling work of the FAO.”
Commenting on the agreements, Mr. Abulhakim Elwaer, FAO’s Assistant-Director General and Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa observed that “The UAE has been one of our most important partners in the region. It has made numerous contributions to our efforts to provide urgent solutions to boost long-term food security in areas with the greatest need, both regionally and globally. I am delighted about the UAE continuing its annual financial support to the region’s Sub-Regional Coordinator Office and contributing to the success of the ‘Hand-in-Hand Zimbabwe-Smallholder Horticulture Recovery and Inclusion Project.”
We are committed to strengthening our collaboration with the UAE and other countries in the region to develop effective solutions for food challenges and invest the FAO’s technical experiences in helping these countries enhance food security by following the best and latest solutions internationally,
Mr. Elwaer further added.
AGREEMENT FOR ‘HAND-IN-HAND ZIMBABWE- SMALLHOLDER HORTICULTURE RECOVERY & INCLUSION PROJECT [SHRIP]’
The agreement will see the UAE financially supporting the project in Zimbabwe, which aims to reduce hunger and poverty among smallholder farmers by effectively engaging them in the markets.
The FAO will implement the project as per certain standards, including the fulfilment of technical procedures and terms with the aim of achieving the highest benefit from available financial support. The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment will oversee and ensure the project’s implementation in the best manner and in line with the UAE’s development goals.
The second agreement regarding renewal of the Organisation’s Credit Fund was signed in the presence of H.E Mariam Almheiri, H.E Sultan Mohammed Al Shamsi, and H.E Dino Franciscoti Motis.
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