"UAE circular economy" Discusses the role of innovation in the growth of food industries
DUBAI, 29 APRIL / WAM / The Emirates Council for the Circular Economy held its first meeting for the year 2026, chaired by His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, at the “Barakat Quality Plus” group, which specializes in the field of fresh food and juice production, in the presence of council members from representatives of government, private and academic agencies.
The meeting discussed the latest developments related to national policies and initiatives aimed at accelerating the UAE’s transformation towards a circular economy model, with a focus on developing governance frameworks and strengthening the organizational and operational structure, which contributes to ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of policy implementation on the ground. The meeting also discussed promising investment opportunities in circular economy sectors, enhancing the role of innovation in the growth of food industries, in addition to the importance of building national capabilities and raising the readiness of national cadres, in a way that enhances the building of more sustainable and efficient production models.
His Excellency stressed that the UAE, under the guidance of its wise leadership, attaches great importance to continuing to develop the circular economy system in accordance with international best practices, as it is one of the main foundations for enhancing economic security, by reducing dependence on imports and raising the efficiency of resource exploitation, which contributes to consolidating the country’s position as a leading global center in adopting and applying circular economy practices in various vital sectors.
His Excellency said: “The circular economy is gaining increasing importance in light of the current circumstances, as it is witnessing continued momentum in the UAE in developing innovative national circular initiatives and policies in partnership with the private sector, and expanding the base of expertise, which enhances the path of transformation towards this economic model, and supports the achievement of sustainable economic and social development in the long term.”
He added: “The food sector is one of the basic pillars in strengthening the food security system in the UAE, because of its pivotal role in ensuring the sustainability of supplies and meeting the needs of society in various circumstances, especially in light of the current challenges that global supply chains are witnessing as a result of the current geopolitical and economic crises, which requires strengthening the adoption of circular economy policies in this vital sector, in a way that raises its efficiency and enhances its flexibility and ability to respond quickly to various changes.”
He continued: “The Council’s efforts are continuing to expand the scope of partnerships between the government and private sectors, and to enhance integration between them in developing sustainable circular policies and integrating them into the food security system, especially through the Food Economic Cluster, which represents an integrated national umbrella for food-related activities and industries in the country, in addition to encouraging innovation in production, storage and distribution techniques for the food sector, which contributes to raising the efficiency of supply chains, and contributes to achieving the goals of the UAE Circular Economy Agenda 2031.”
The meeting discussed a set of mechanisms to accelerate the implementation of circular policies that support enhancing the sustainability of the food security system in the country, in line with the goals of the Food Economic Community, keeping pace with current regional and international changes, and enhancing the readiness of the food sector to face any challenges related to supply chains.
The meeting touched on what was implemented in the second batch of circular economy policies, where 8 policies were identified and organized into four main axes: resource efficiency, materials and waste, market empowerment, and infrastructure. The most prominent of these policies are “Green Government Procurement: Stimulating Demand for Reprocessed Materials” and “Small and Medium Enterprises as a Driver of the Circular Economy and the Green Economy Incentives Framework.” They were aligned with the concerned authorities to ensure clarity of roles and complementarity of responsibilities, and supports the transition from the planning stage to actual implementation on the ground.
The next stage focuses on involving stakeholders in these policies, with the aim of reviewing priorities and agreeing on clear implementation paths to achieve the required outcomes.
The meeting highlighted a number of leading national models from the private sector that apply sustainability principles, in addition to reviewing a group of effective initiatives in the field of resource management, reducing waste, and enhancing local production, which contributes to enhancing the competitiveness of the national economy.
The Council stressed the importance of strengthening joint action to align social responsibility efforts with national priorities, and enhancing the vital role of the private sector in achieving long-term economic and social impact, in a way that supports the state’s vision of consolidating comprehensive development paths and promoting balanced growth at the economic and social levels.
The meeting touched on a number of applied models and pilot projects that contribute to testing and developing solutions before disseminating them on a larger scale, in addition to reviewing advanced digital and technical solutions aimed at raising the efficiency of resource management and supporting the shift towards an economy based on data and measurement, which contributes to improving the decision-making process and enhancing operational efficiency. He also discussed regulatory frameworks that support the development of circular markets and enhance compliance levels, as well as improving the efficiency of supply chains and reducing waste at various stages.
The meeting focused on identifying priority sectors that achieve a rapid and scalable impact, and strengthening partnerships and institutional integration between various stakeholders, the private sector and academic institutions during the coming period, ensuring unified efforts and integrating roles, and enabling the adoption of an integrated national approach at the state level to achieve the goals of the circular economy efficiently and effectively, and enhancing its impact in various vital sectors.
On the other hand, the Council reviewed the progress achieved in the “Naseej” project, which is being implemented in joint cooperation between the Office of National Projects, the Emirates Foundation, and the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, and in partnership with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, which reflects tangible progress in the implementation stages, as the foundational aspects of the project have been completed, including establishing a governance framework, starting to analyze the current landscape of the textile sector, and determining strategic priorities.
The project aims to transform the sector from a linear consumption and disposal model to an integrated model that conserves resources, enhances economic value, and aligns sustainability with long-term national development.
The meeting witnessed a series of presentations that addressed various national and institutional initiatives in support of the circular economy, where the initiatives of Barakat Company and its role in supporting the country’s vision of the circular economy were reviewed, in addition to the efforts of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office in promoting investment in the circular economy and building industrial capabilities. As well as the strategy of impactful companies in the UAE 2026-2031 by the National Fund for Social Responsibility “Majra”.
The presentations continued to include the eGreen Badge initiative aimed at promoting circular economy practices at the household level, in addition to Alserkal Group’s presentation of companies on recycling used cooking oil (UCO). The role of the UAE Circular Packaging Association (CPA) was also reviewed in strengthening partnerships related to circular packaging and developing innovative solutions that contribute to increasing the efficiency of resource use and supporting the transition towards a more efficient and sustainable economy.
The Council welcomed the new members, Sarah Shaw, CEO – The National Fund for Social Responsibility “Majara”; Marjan Faraidouni, Head of Education and Culture Sector and Head of Human Resources – Expo City Dubai; His Excellency Maher Al Kaabi, Advisor to the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Independent Board Member – Al Serkal Group.
His Excellency conducted a field tour of the “Barakat Quality Plus” group, during which he was briefed on the production lines and advanced technologies applied, in addition to the food products and fresh juices that are produced, as well as the group’s future expansion plans in the food industries sector, in a way that enhances its production capabilities and supports its growth in the markets.
It is noteworthy that the Barakat Group was established in 1976, and today it is considered one of the most prominent producers and suppliers of a variety of fresh products, freshly processed foods and beverages, which it provides to luxury hotels, cafes, restaurants, first-class retail outlets and major catering companies in the Emirates.
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