emirates7 - Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Head of the International Affairs Office at the Presidential Court, actively participated in the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79) in New York City, as part of the UAE delegation led by H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The UAE delegation focused on the country's growing role as a responsible global player, emphasizing dialogue, cooperation, and fostering partnerships to address pressing global challenges, particularly climate change.
Almheiri's engagements at the UNGA highlighted the UAE's commitment to leveraging all available resources and expertise to strengthen cooperation with global partners and organizations, aiming to devise shared solutions, build consensus, and promote scientific and technological advancement for the benefit of all.
Among her key activities, Almheiri participated in the launch of the UAE FoodTech Challenge 3.0, underscoring the UAE's leadership in global food system innovation and addressing interconnected challenges such as food security, climate change, and water scarcity.
Almheiri, co-chair of the FoodTech Challenge, emphasized the critical role of agriculture and food production in the broader climate crisis. She noted that with increasing demands for food, water, and energy amid climate change, bold actions, innovative thinking, and transformative approaches to food systems are essential. The challenge aims to ensure global participation in addressing food security through the exchange of ideas and investments.
During the UNGA, a key event hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations brought together leaders from the US, UAE, United Nations Foundation, and Bezos Earth Fund, focusing on the intersection of climate change and food security. The event marked the official launch of the AIM for Climate Report, which advocates for increased public and private investment in climate-smart agriculture and food system innovation.
Almheiri provided updates on AIM for Scale, a new initiative that aims to foster public-private sector collaboration and supports the recommendations of the AIM for Climate Report. AIM for Scale will accelerate and expand innovations in climate-smart agriculture, helping drive impactful change in the global food systems sector.
Almheiri also met with Tom Vilsack, US Secretary of Agriculture, to discuss collaboration on AIM for Scale and other shared priorities concerning food security and climate action. Following the meeting, she stressed the need for collective action and innovative solutions to tackle the climate crisis, highlighting AIM for Scale's role in empowering farmers and creating sustainable food systems.
In addition, Almheiri and Rodger Voorhies, President of the Gates Foundation, discussed their ongoing partnership, particularly focusing on a recently announced $200 million joint initiative aimed at advancing agricultural innovation and transforming food systems. Almheiri emphasized that the partnership reflects the UAE's commitment to turning commitments into action through innovative solutions that empower communities and promote sustainability.
Almheiri also participated in a panel with Dr. Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Managing Director of CGIAR, and Rodger Voorhies, reaffirming the UAE's dedication to the COP28 UAE Declaration on Food Systems, Agriculture, and Climate Action. She noted the UAE’s pride in being the first country from its region to join the CGIAR System Council as a donor and highlighted the UAE’s ongoing support for agricultural innovation, viewing it as a key pillar of the nation’s development path.
The UAE delegation focused on the country's growing role as a responsible global player, emphasizing dialogue, cooperation, and fostering partnerships to address pressing global challenges, particularly climate change.
Almheiri's engagements at the UNGA highlighted the UAE's commitment to leveraging all available resources and expertise to strengthen cooperation with global partners and organizations, aiming to devise shared solutions, build consensus, and promote scientific and technological advancement for the benefit of all.
Among her key activities, Almheiri participated in the launch of the UAE FoodTech Challenge 3.0, underscoring the UAE's leadership in global food system innovation and addressing interconnected challenges such as food security, climate change, and water scarcity.
Almheiri, co-chair of the FoodTech Challenge, emphasized the critical role of agriculture and food production in the broader climate crisis. She noted that with increasing demands for food, water, and energy amid climate change, bold actions, innovative thinking, and transformative approaches to food systems are essential. The challenge aims to ensure global participation in addressing food security through the exchange of ideas and investments.
During the UNGA, a key event hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations brought together leaders from the US, UAE, United Nations Foundation, and Bezos Earth Fund, focusing on the intersection of climate change and food security. The event marked the official launch of the AIM for Climate Report, which advocates for increased public and private investment in climate-smart agriculture and food system innovation.
Almheiri provided updates on AIM for Scale, a new initiative that aims to foster public-private sector collaboration and supports the recommendations of the AIM for Climate Report. AIM for Scale will accelerate and expand innovations in climate-smart agriculture, helping drive impactful change in the global food systems sector.
Almheiri also met with Tom Vilsack, US Secretary of Agriculture, to discuss collaboration on AIM for Scale and other shared priorities concerning food security and climate action. Following the meeting, she stressed the need for collective action and innovative solutions to tackle the climate crisis, highlighting AIM for Scale's role in empowering farmers and creating sustainable food systems.
In addition, Almheiri and Rodger Voorhies, President of the Gates Foundation, discussed their ongoing partnership, particularly focusing on a recently announced $200 million joint initiative aimed at advancing agricultural innovation and transforming food systems. Almheiri emphasized that the partnership reflects the UAE's commitment to turning commitments into action through innovative solutions that empower communities and promote sustainability.
Almheiri also participated in a panel with Dr. Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Managing Director of CGIAR, and Rodger Voorhies, reaffirming the UAE's dedication to the COP28 UAE Declaration on Food Systems, Agriculture, and Climate Action. She noted the UAE’s pride in being the first country from its region to join the CGIAR System Council as a donor and highlighted the UAE’s ongoing support for agricultural innovation, viewing it as a key pillar of the nation’s development path.