emirates7 - The National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, known as ne’ma, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE), coinciding with the 2024 World Food Day theme: “Right to Foods for a Better Life and a Better Future.”
The signing ceremony was attended by Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, the Minister of Economy, during a visit by a high-profile UAE delegation that included officials from the Ministry of Economy, the Presidential Court, Emirates Foundation, and Tadweer Group to Japan.
JICE has invited the ne’ma team to Japan to explore effective strategies for reducing food loss and waste, providing valuable insights and best practices for implementation in the UAE to accelerate progress toward ne’ma’s goals.
The MoU seeks to strengthen collaboration between the UAE and Japan, aiming for a 50 percent reduction in food loss and waste by 2030, in line with UN Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 and the UAE’s National Food Security Strategy 2051.
This agreement builds on their previous collaboration in 2023 when they launched “The ne’ma 7 Days Diary,” an awareness program targeting students and young people. The initiative encouraged Year-7 students in Abu Dhabi to document the food waste generated from their three daily meals over a week, fostering a sense of responsibility and providing insights into the causes and patterns of food waste in their lives.
Khuloud Hasan Al Nuwais, Chief Sustainability Officer of Emirates Foundation and Secretary-General of the ne’ma Committee, stated, “ne’ma is committed to discovering educational approaches and innovative solutions that can be adapted in the UAE while forming strategic partnerships to promote sustainable practices in reducing food loss and waste.
“JICE brings invaluable expertise, facilitating the exchange of best practices in food waste management and aligning with our national strategies to effectively address this pressing issue. The UAE has significant opportunities to minimize food waste through collaborative partnerships that promote meaningful change, enhance food security, and support a thriving circular economy.”
Yoshida Kozo, President of JICE, expressed enthusiasm about formalizing the partnership with ne’ma through this MoU, highlighting its importance in their commitment to sustainable food practices. He added, “By sharing Japan’s extensive knowledge in food waste management, we aim to assist the UAE in reaching its ambitious goal of a 50 percent reduction in food loss by 2030. This collaboration strengthens our international ties and enhances our collective capacity to address the global challenge of food waste.”
The UAE delegation's mission to Japan focused on evaluating Japan’s policy frameworks, regulatory approaches, and community-driven efforts to enhance the sustainability and efficiency of the ne’ma initiative, aligning it with the UAE's circular economy plan. Tadweer Group engaged with several Japanese organizations to further its aim of diverting 80 percent of waste from landfills. This effort is part of a broader strategy to incorporate circular economy values, emphasizing waste reduction, resource recovery, and sustainable development.
Ali Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and CEO of Tadweer Group, remarked, “We are honored to have joined ne’ma on this crucial visit to Japan, which provided invaluable insights for our organization. This experience not only introduced us to advanced sustainable practices for reducing food waste but also opened new pathways for enhancing our sector and supporting our partners, including ne’ma, in achieving their objectives. Collaborating with globally recognized partners will accelerate our efforts to divert 80 percent of Abu Dhabi's waste from landfills, transforming waste into valuable resources and promoting a circular economy. Together, we are driving impactful change for a more sustainable future.”
The UAE delegation also met with various entities, including Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency, to gain insights on educating and engaging consumers regarding food waste issues. Additionally, they planned a visit to the Toyosu Market, one of the world’s largest fish markets, to observe its food waste reduction initiatives. The delegation also explored the Second Harvest Japan Food Bank, the Central Breakwater Outer Landfill, Fabula Inc., Nishita Elementary School, and the Machida City Bio-Energy Center.
The signing ceremony was attended by Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, the Minister of Economy, during a visit by a high-profile UAE delegation that included officials from the Ministry of Economy, the Presidential Court, Emirates Foundation, and Tadweer Group to Japan.
JICE has invited the ne’ma team to Japan to explore effective strategies for reducing food loss and waste, providing valuable insights and best practices for implementation in the UAE to accelerate progress toward ne’ma’s goals.
The MoU seeks to strengthen collaboration between the UAE and Japan, aiming for a 50 percent reduction in food loss and waste by 2030, in line with UN Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 and the UAE’s National Food Security Strategy 2051.
This agreement builds on their previous collaboration in 2023 when they launched “The ne’ma 7 Days Diary,” an awareness program targeting students and young people. The initiative encouraged Year-7 students in Abu Dhabi to document the food waste generated from their three daily meals over a week, fostering a sense of responsibility and providing insights into the causes and patterns of food waste in their lives.
Khuloud Hasan Al Nuwais, Chief Sustainability Officer of Emirates Foundation and Secretary-General of the ne’ma Committee, stated, “ne’ma is committed to discovering educational approaches and innovative solutions that can be adapted in the UAE while forming strategic partnerships to promote sustainable practices in reducing food loss and waste.
“JICE brings invaluable expertise, facilitating the exchange of best practices in food waste management and aligning with our national strategies to effectively address this pressing issue. The UAE has significant opportunities to minimize food waste through collaborative partnerships that promote meaningful change, enhance food security, and support a thriving circular economy.”
Yoshida Kozo, President of JICE, expressed enthusiasm about formalizing the partnership with ne’ma through this MoU, highlighting its importance in their commitment to sustainable food practices. He added, “By sharing Japan’s extensive knowledge in food waste management, we aim to assist the UAE in reaching its ambitious goal of a 50 percent reduction in food loss by 2030. This collaboration strengthens our international ties and enhances our collective capacity to address the global challenge of food waste.”
The UAE delegation's mission to Japan focused on evaluating Japan’s policy frameworks, regulatory approaches, and community-driven efforts to enhance the sustainability and efficiency of the ne’ma initiative, aligning it with the UAE's circular economy plan. Tadweer Group engaged with several Japanese organizations to further its aim of diverting 80 percent of waste from landfills. This effort is part of a broader strategy to incorporate circular economy values, emphasizing waste reduction, resource recovery, and sustainable development.
Ali Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and CEO of Tadweer Group, remarked, “We are honored to have joined ne’ma on this crucial visit to Japan, which provided invaluable insights for our organization. This experience not only introduced us to advanced sustainable practices for reducing food waste but also opened new pathways for enhancing our sector and supporting our partners, including ne’ma, in achieving their objectives. Collaborating with globally recognized partners will accelerate our efforts to divert 80 percent of Abu Dhabi's waste from landfills, transforming waste into valuable resources and promoting a circular economy. Together, we are driving impactful change for a more sustainable future.”
The UAE delegation also met with various entities, including Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency, to gain insights on educating and engaging consumers regarding food waste issues. Additionally, they planned a visit to the Toyosu Market, one of the world’s largest fish markets, to observe its food waste reduction initiatives. The delegation also explored the Second Harvest Japan Food Bank, the Central Breakwater Outer Landfill, Fabula Inc., Nishita Elementary School, and the Machida City Bio-Energy Center.