UAE is a firm and committed partner for climate action

The UAE and US will collaborate to “dramatically” increase global investments in food system innovation, a top US government official said Thursday.

"I joined HE Tom Vilsack, US Secretary of Agriculture, for an important panel discussion that focused on the future of #AIM4Climate and the progress that has been made so far. #COP27, UAE Minister of Climate Change & Environment, Mariam Almheiri tweeted.

Vilsack has affirmed that the UAE is a firm and committed partner for climate action and is in their very interest will steward climate-smart agriculture and food systems innovation globally.

In a statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) on the sidelines of COP27, currently being held in Sharm Al Sheikh, Vilsack expressed confidence that the UAE will bring together an exceptional COP28, commending the efforts of Mariam bint Mohammad Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, in this regard.

He added that in the agricultural sector, innovative products and methods have enabled the nation to turn deserts into farms. An example of such is Bustanica, the world’s largest vertical farm, launched in July 2022 as a joint venture between Emirates Flight Catering and US-based Crop One.

“These innovations demonstrate leadership and commitment from the UAE and make it one of the most active countries in climate action, ”he noted.

The country’s latest project in this space is the Food Tech Valley, a first-of-its kind AgTech city that aims to serve as a testbed for pioneering innovations that drive the transition to sustainable food systems.

“These innovations demonstrate leadership and commitment from the UAE and make it one of the most active countries in climate action, ” Vilsack noted.

A joint UAE-US fund to help prepare the agricultural sector for climate change has been doubled to $8 billion. The Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (Aim for Climate) has mobilized another $4bn since it launched last year to build more resilient agriculture and food systems, it was announced at Cop27 on Friday by Mariam Al Mheiri, and Tom Vilsack.

The funds will go towards projects that can mitigate climate change, prepare for its effects and help to lift people out of poverty. Aim for Climate also seeks to support small-scale farmers, especially women, and communities in low- and middle-income countries most susceptible to the world's changing climate.

Political leaders and scientists from across the world are collaborating at the summit to examine the future of global food security, with a major part of the discussion centering on the balance of ensuring an efficient agricultural system without destroying the planet.