Date: 17 Dec, 2023
Location: Dubai – UAE
The Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development (AAAID) honored its supporting strategic partners on 14 December, 2023 in Dubai – UAE, during a ceremony held at AAAID’s new regional headquarters under the theme “Together Towards a Sustainable Future”. This acknowledgment celebrates the partners’ vital role in achieving Arab food security and their unwavering support for the ambitious vision and strategic plans of AAAID, aimed at enhancing food security across Arab countries and driving forward sustainable agricultural development.
The event was graced by the distinguished presence of Their Excellencies Ambassadors of Arab countries and Deputy Ministers, as well as Heads of Arab and international organizations, Directors of various companies and banks, along with local entities, prominent agricultural sector investors and businessmen, and media institutions.
His Excellency Mr. Mohammed bin Obaid Al Mazrooei, President of AAAID, inaugurated the ceremony by expressing gratitude and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of UAE and the Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, for their dedicated support towards joint Arab efforts across all economic sectors. He also thanked the government of the UAE for allocating land to establish AAAID’ regional headquarters and for the honorable visit of His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE, who inaugurated the headquarters on 14 November, 2023.
Gratitude was extended to all partners from government and private institutions, diplomatic missions, Arab, regional, and international organizations and entities for accepting the invitation and participating in the ceremony, besides acknowledging their support for AAAID’s journey and contributions to achieving numerous accomplishments in agricultural development and food security.
H.E. Al Mazrooei highlighted that AAAID, driven by its mission to meet the food needs of Arab countries through agricultural resource investment and development, established a group of agricultural production and food manufacturing companies reaching about 54, with assets valued at around USD 5 billion. These companies contribute to providing essential commodities such as grains, sugar, oils, red and white meats, dairy, and animal feed, in addition to generating more than 127,000 job opportunities. He also emphasized AAAID’s unique program designed to finance the small-scale farmers sector in Arab countries. This initiative has played a vital role in spreading and localizing modern agricultural technologies, resulting in over 150% increase in small-scale farmers’ productivity.
Moreover, H.E. Al Mazrooei emphasized that sustainable agricultural development remains a fundamental requirement for achieving food security in the Arab world. This stands as a pivotal focal point for all Arab nations due to its economic, social, and security implications. It aims to bolster sustainable agricultural development efforts, foster Arab agricultural economic integration, create an encouraging environment for agricultural investment, gain proficiency in agricultural technology, and regulate trade factors to reinforce Arab agricultural exports.
Al Mazrooei concluded by highlighting AAAID’s awareness of the global challenges that have contributed to the escalation of food commodities deficit. In response, AAAID introduced an initiative aimed at covering the deficit in basic food commodities in Arab countries, which estimated investment required to achieve this initiative amounts to about USD 156 billion. The initiative is founded on an investment vision that unites stakeholders including governmental bodies, the private sector, small-scale farmer groups, regional and international financial institutions. As the ceremony concluded, several ministries and embassies of member countries within AAAID were honored, besides honoring various Arab and international organizations, businessmen, private sector entities, and media institutions.
