The UAE launches the first national study to measure the loss and waste of food in support of the sustainability goals 2030
Abu Dhabi, May 7 / WAM / The National Initiative to reduce the loss and waste of food in the UAE, “Naama”, announced the launch of the first national basis study to measure the loss and waste of food at the state level, in a qualitative step aimed at supporting national efforts to achieve the goal 12.3 of the sustainable development goals of reducing the loss and waste of food by half by 2030.
The study extends for 18 months and is implemented at the level of all the emirates of the state with the wide participation of families, institutions, and the governmental and private sectors with the aim of measuring the loss and actual waste through the nutritional value chain and providing accurate data to design practical interventions based on evidence.
This study, whose results are to be revealed during the first half of 2026, is the starting point for developing national indicators to measure the loss of food, as these indicators will be used to develop a strategic road map to follow up on national progress towards reducing waste and promoting food security and sustainability.
The study constitutes a strategic cooperation between a group of national bodies, including the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, the Abu Dhabi Food Safety and Safety Authority, the recycling group, the Dubai Municipality, the Environment and Climate Change Authority in Dubai, the Dar Company, in addition to municipalities and local statistical centers, and the Federal Center for Competitiveness and Statistics.
Kholoud Hassan Al -Nuwais, CEO of Sustainability at the Emirates Foundation and Secretary -General of the “Naama” initiative committee, said that the treatment and waste of food requires unifying efforts across the various sectors, noting that the study will provide accurate data that allows designing realistic solutions and stimulating behavioral change and supporting the circular economy to achieve a sustainable diet in the country’s food department.
Al -Nuwais affirmed its confidence that this study will contribute to building national capabilities and achieving the goal of reducing the loss and waste of food by 50% by 2030, noting the wide partnerships that were able to implement this comprehensive national effort.
Dr. Essam Sharaf Al -Hashemi, Director of the Office of Special Studies at the Abu Dhabi Authority for Agriculture and Food Safety, stressed that the study represents a pivotal step in raising awareness and unifying efforts to reduce loss and waste in a way that enhances the sustainability of food resources and guarantees a flexible and safe future.
Manal Obaid, head of the executive team of the Emirates Food Bank, represented by the Dubai Municipality, pointed out the importance of studying as a process that contributes to converting environmental aspirations into implementable plans and support Dubai’s efforts to reduce dependence on waste dumps and build smart and more sustainable cities.
Abdel Wahid Jumaa, Executive Director of Communication and Awareness in a recycling group, affirmed the support of this initiative as the cornerstone of a deeper understanding of the size and effect of food and waste of food, and helps in developing circular economic solutions that contribute to converting waste into resources.
Salwa Al -Muflouhi, Executive Director of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility at the Dar Company, affirmed the commitment by contributing to the study to support the trend towards decisions based on data and enabling societies to face the challenges of food waste by changing behaviors and enhancing sustainable management practices.
The study includes an intense field survey in September 2025, when actual data from families is collected over a period of two weeks to determine the levels and reasons for the loss and waste of food, and will analyze the results to develop national indicators that reflect the current situation in the country, and provide accurate mechanisms to follow up on progress until 2030 and beyond.
The project includes a representative sample that includes more than 3,000 individuals from different emirates of the country, and the final report will be shared at the national and international levels, which contributes to enriching the global knowledge base and providing an Emirati model to follow in sustainable food management.
Through this study, the UAE affirms its commitment to leadership in achieving the sustainable development goals of the United Nations, and consolidating an effective model for public and private cooperation and civil society in building flexible and environmentally friendly food systems.
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