UAE discusses food security cooperation with Azerbaijan

DUBAI: A delegation from the UAE, led by Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, concluded a two-day official visit to Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, held on 16th and 17th February.

The delegation met with officials from the Azerbaijani government and private sector entities to enhance collaboration in the development of the agriculture and livestock sectors.

This visit was designed to deepen bilateral cooperation across food security, sustainable agriculture, and the livestock sector, building upon the foundations laid by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the UAE and Azerbaijan.

“Our presence in Baku underscores the depth of the UAE-Azerbaijan relationship. This bond is built upon a shared vision for sustainable economic growth, with CEPA serving as a catalyst to unlock opportunities for both our nations,” Al Dahak said. “Our visit is specifically designed to translate the momentum generated by the CEPA into tangible, actionable collaboration and clearly defined investment pathways, forging comprehensive partnerships between our key government entities and the private sector.” The Minister added that the UAE champions a proactive, multi-faceted approach to food security, embracing innovation, strategic investment, and impactful international collaboration.

“Building on these elements, we aim to expand our partnership with Azerbaijan, recognising its immense agricultural potential and rich food production heritage. We look forward to a dynamic bilateral roadmap for investment in the livestock sector and agri-food industries, enhancing trade in sustainable products and fostering greater food security and prosperity for both the UAE and Azerbaijan,” she said.

The visit is guided by three core pillars: enhancing trade facilitation and identifying investment opportunities in the agricultural and livestock sector; promoting sustainable agriculture and fostering robust cooperation in the livestock sector; and bolstering overall food security by developing resilient food supply chains.

The UAE delegation comprised senior government officials, including Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE); Abdulrahman Al Hawi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Investment; and Mohammed Murad Al Blooshi, UAE Ambassador to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The Azerbaijani delegation included officials from the Azerbaijan Food Safety Agency (AQTA), and were joined by Narmin Babayeva, Deputy Head of the Analytical Expertise Centre, Azerbaijan Food Safety Institute (AQTI); and Elnur Shukurov from the Trade Representation of Azerbaijan in the UAE.

Private sector representatives from both sides engaged in structured dialogues and B2B meetings to foster new business relations and partnerships aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation across food security, sustainable agriculture, and livestock sector management, aligned with CEPA between the UAE and Azerbaijan.

These meetings enhanced priority trade relations in the agri-food and livestock sectors, creating investment opportunities and diverse business development prospects.WAM