Strengthening research, technology and innovation to enable food security in Saudi Arabia

Abu Dhabi, 29 December – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Saudi Grains Organization (SAGO) and the Ministry of Environment Water and Agriculture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia  held today a  virtual workshop to launch the project “Research, Technology and Innovation to enable food security in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”.

Under the umbrella of the Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council, the Project aims to developing a joint agenda for Research, Technology and Innovation (RTI) as well as a roadmap for its implementation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and United Arab Emirates (UAE). It also aims contribute to the national strategic objectives of the Food Security Strategies, in both countries, and the Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2 – Zero Hunger and have sustainable, resilient and inclusive food systems). 

The workshop was held in the presence of  His Excellency Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz Al-Faris, Governor of SAGO and the Secretary-General of Food Security Committee in KSA, Dr. Mohamed Abubakr, FAO Programme Coordinator in KSA and Dr. Dino Francescutti, FAO’s Subregional Coordinator for the Gulf Cooperation Council States and Yemen (SNG) and FAO Representative in the UAE.

Panelist included also Mr. Abdullah Al Rabiah, Governor’s Advisor and DG of Food Security, SAGO; Dr.  Ismahane Elouafi, Chief Scientist,  in FAO; Dr. Armen Sedrakyan, Economist in FAO’s Subregional Office for Gulf Cooperation Council States and Yemen; Prof. Sulaiman Al-Khateeb, Director General Plant Resources in the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture;  Dr. Hassan Al-Ayedh, King Abdul-Aziz City for Science and Technology;  Dr. Ahmed Saud Alsaqufi, Dean of College of Agricultural and Food Sciences, King Faisal University, and Mr. Sattam Almezyad, Director of Agricultural Investments Abroad (AIA) initiative at Agriculture Development Fund.

His Excellency Al-Faris’s highlighted that the KSA seeks to enhance research and innovation capabilities, progress in the Global Food Security Index (GFSI), and this is consider to be an opportunity to exchange experiences between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in the field of the joint food security strategy to develop the food security system, the sustainability of natural resources, the optimal investment of human resources, and position Gulf countries as contributors to the global system for innovation, research and development.

“Investment in RTI is increasing worldwide. Evidence suggests that investment in agricultural research generates significant economic returns, notably through its impact on productivity. Moreover, it delivers tremendous environmental and social benefits as well. FAO has developed a strong expertise in research and innovation in the agriculture sector. We believe that innovation in agriculture is the central driving force for achieving a world free from hunger and reducing malnutrition in all its forms. Innovation in agriculture cuts across all dimensions of food systems. It is not just about technologies, it is also about socioeconomic, policy and institutional dimensions. FAO is providing technical and policy assistance to its Member Countries to unlock the potential of innovation to drive socio-economic growth, ensure food and nutrition security, alleviate poverty and improve resilience to climate change.” said Dr. Dino Francescutti, FAO’s Subregional Coordinator and FAO Representative in the UAE.

“This Project is an important undertaking. The objective is to develop the agenda for RTI. The RTI agenda will be developed by working together. We are welcoming you to join us on this important journey. The RTI project as we call it, is a tripartite partnership between FAO, KSA and UAE. It falls also under the umbrella of the Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council. It builds on shared interests, goals and overall strategic directions for food security in both KSA and UAE.” he added.

Strengthening RTI to achieve sustainable food systems and food security is complementing ongoing activities in KSA, which have focused on an innovative approach towards promoting the sustainable domestic production in the context of arid climate, scarce water resource, and limited arable land exacerbated by ecosystem degradation and climate change.

This virtual workshop followed a previous one held in UAE were experts and participants discussed Research and Development (R&D) in UAE’s food systems and undertook a review on cooperation mechanisms in order to implement the project, which will last for 10 months in both UAE and KSA. Both preliminary workshop agreed on the most important areas of cooperation and the methodology for implementing the project, with the details discussed by representatives from the UAE and KSA and it will be followed with a joint workshop for both KSA and UAE.