Mariam Almheiri and other top officials during the inauguration of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Security Week 2021 in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Security Week 2021 officially inaugurated on Tuesday and will continue until Nov.25 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec).

The event is held under the patronage of Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture & Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA).

Mariam Bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri, Minister of State for Food & Water Security officially opened the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Security Week on Tuesday.

Prior to the official opening, the week began its activities on Sunday and Monday by organising the first agricultural hackathon in Abu Dhabi, which opened the door for creative competition for university students to develop innovative solutions in the field of software and the use of algorithms and artificial intelligence to promote the agriculture, food and biosecurity sector.

Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Security Week is supported by the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council, and some reputed local companies like Etisalat, Silal, Elite Agro, National Feed Company and Etihad Airways, along with the media sponsorship of Emirates News Agency.

The Week will feature numerous activities related to sustainable agriculture, food production and food security issues, including exhibitions, conferences, seminars and workshops, awards ceremonies and technical tours related to the agricultural sector. This is in addition to fisheries, food security, beekeeping, honey production, and the cold chain, all of which are held under one roof to simulate the future aspirations of investing in food security.

Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Security Week will feature numerous events related to sustainable agriculture, food production, and food security issues, including the launch of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Security Conference, in partnership with the World Food Security Forum, and a Global Sustainable Agriculture Awards Ceremony. It will honour the innovators and creative solutions that drive innovation in the sectors of agriculture and food security, and it will push them towards growth and prosperity through a combination of related seminars, lectures, and workshops.

The Symposium will complement “Api-Arab Expo”, which aims to develop the honeybee-breeding sector and enhance the productivity of honeybees in the region. Saeed Al Bahri Salem Al Ameri, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority said: “The launch of Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Security Week represents the critical importance of food production, sustainable agriculture, and food security.”

Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Security Week 2021 is the largest event for sustainable agriculture and food security in the Mena and Asia Pacific region. In addition to the variety of specialised events, such as conferences, exhibitions, and workshops, the programme also includes two major exhibitions with a successful track record in Abu Dhabi.

Global Forum for Agricultural Innovations (GFIA), which has attracted more than 50,000 participants, since its launch in 2014, during which more than 1,500 innovations in sustainable agriculture were exhibited, and VIV MEA, an exhibition which covers animal health and production, which focuses on developing livestock and producing dairy, fish, poultry, and eggs.

Meanwhile the 5th edition of the decoration, design and building materials exhibition ‘DecoBuild 2021’ will kick off tomorrow at the Dubai World Trade Centre and continue until Nov.27.

The four-day event is organised by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Housing Establishment (MRHE) with the participation of more than 80 exhibitors from government institutions, private sector companies, as well as construction materials, contracting, decoration, engineering consultancy, interior and architectural design companies, in addition to banks and financial institutions, among others.

The event comes in the implementation of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, directives, which aim to develop the housing system for Emiratis and ensure their stability and enhance their quality of life.

The event constitutes an opportunity for individuals and companies to meet up, make deals with distributors and manufacturers, and learn about the latest innovations and services in various fields.

The event is featuring a variety of services and modern technologies that help visitors in building their residential projects or those addressed to investment and rental uses, including the latest engineering designs, finest interior decorations, contracting, building materials, lighting, electrical installations, and government and private financing services.