A new Emirati vision for food security and a national road map to promote sustainable agriculture

The Minister of Climate Change and Environment, Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al-Dahhak, confirmed that the UAE Agricultural Conference and Exhibition 2026 represents an important national milestone for launching an integrated Emirati vision for food security, based on innovation, technology and strategic partnerships.

Amna Al-Dahhak pointed out that the upcoming event will reveal a national road map to promote sustainable agriculture and build a flexible food production system that supports increasing local production and reducing dependence on imports, by expanding cooperation with academic institutions and research centers, launching specialized knowledge programs, strengthening financing partnerships, and empowering local resources and supply chains, thus establishing the UAE’s position as a pioneering model in developing sustainable food security solutions.

Consolidation of agriculture
During the press conference organized by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment at the Emirates Towers – Influencers Center in Dubai, Dr. Amna Al-Dahhak revealed the details of the UAE Agricultural Conference and Exhibition 2026, stressing that the event, which will be held on April 22 and 23, embodies the UAE’s approach towards establishing agriculture as a basic pillar in the national food security system, and an advanced platform for enhancing international cooperation and building quality partnerships that support the sector’s sustainability and competitiveness.

National vision
Amna Al-Dahhak said that the conference and exhibition come within the framework of a comprehensive national vision aimed at redesigning the agricultural sector as one of the strategic paths supporting food security, by employing knowledge and modern technology, expanding the base of institutional and financing partnerships, and enhancing the role of scientific research in developing innovative and sustainable agricultural solutions.

Cognitive program
Amna Al-Dahhak added that the conference agenda includes an integrated knowledge and training program, designed around four main axes, the first day of which focuses on data science and its applications in supporting the agricultural sector, while the second day deals with digital technologies and smart transformation in agriculture, and the third day is devoted to the topic of agriculture and society, while the fourth day focuses on partnerships and building knowledge in cooperation with universities and research centers.

Quality initiatives
Amna Al-Dahhak confirmed that the conference will witness the launch of the “Knowledge Programme,” as one of the qualitative initiatives aimed at building specialized national capabilities, by preparing an integrated methodology for the program, developing advanced training materials, and implementing a marketing plan aimed at attracting 50 members, in addition to involving 40 groups concerned with public affairs, in a way that enhances the building of a knowledge and institutional base capable of supporting the process of developing the agricultural sector in the country.

Scope of cooperation
Amna Al-Dahhak explained that the conference will pay great attention to expanding the scope of cooperation with national and international universities and scientific research centers, by working to sign memorandums of understanding that allow the provision of specialized research and training content, and support applied research projects, in a way that contributes to the preparation of qualified national cadres, the transfer of knowledge, and the localization of scientific solutions related to modern agriculture.

Important topics
Amna Al-Dahhak pointed out that among the important axes being worked on is documenting financial partnerships, with the aim of securing financial resources to support agricultural development projects, and opening the way for flexible financing models that contribute to accelerating the implementation of priority initiatives and projects, thus enhancing the sector’s ability to grow, innovate, and face future challenges.

Local resources
Amna Al Dahhak stated that the UAE Agricultural Conference and Exhibition 2026 will also constitute an opportunity to announce a road map for building local resources, which includes empowering national supply chains, developing equipment, and raising the efficiency of training, in a way that reduces dependence on external sources, enhances the flexibility of the national agricultural system, and consolidates the state’s ability to deal with economic and logistical variables efficiently and sustainably.

Production rates
Amna Al-Dahhak added that this trend is consistent with the UAE’s goals of raising local production rates, achieving greater stability in food supplies, and providing a stimulating environment for agricultural and technical investment, which will reflect positively on the national economy through developing local markets, reducing dependence on imports, and enhancing operating efficiency in agricultural value chains.

Political and economic variables
Regarding the challenges, Amna Al-Dahhak confirmed that the Ministry is realistically looking at the political and economic changes, the high cost of digital and technical transformation, and the possibilities of excessive reliance on external partners, noting that dealing with these challenges requires diversifying financial and institutional partners, investing in building national capabilities, and adopting a phased approach that begins with experimental projects that can be expanded, in a way that reduces operational and financial risks.

Advanced step
Amna Al Dahhak stressed that the UAE Agricultural Conference and Exhibition 2026 represents an advanced step in the path of building a flexible and sustainable food system, based on innovation, knowledge, and integration between government agencies, the private sector, and academic institutions, thus enhancing the UAE’s position as a leading model in developing sustainable food security solutions at the regional and international levels.