Food Security within the N7 Initiative in the UAE, where the solution is

Food Security within the N7 Initiative in the UAE, where the solution is.

by Max Morgan

The world faces many economic and political crises with possible deadly wars in several hot spots such as Iran, Middle East, North Korea, and Taiwan. The world has not yet recovered from the economic crisis of the global COVID-19 Pandemic in addition to climate change crisis and its impact on agricultural areas. Concerns about global food security continue to increase especially in light of the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war where both are the main source of wheat other countries depended on. Social unrest motivated by food shortage, energy crisis, and other political factors made matters worse. Additionally, water shortage crisis in Africa stemming from building the Ethiopian Dam substantially affected agricultural productivity in Egypt and Sudan to say the least.

The UAE, as always, has prepared for an emergency like this and launched many initiatives to reduce the food security crisis effect on its citizens and neighboring countries, in addition to developing strategies with its regional and global partners establishing a humanitarian bridge towards food safety and security, the National System for Sustainable Agriculture, the Fish Farming Pulse Guide 2020, the Emirates Food Bank, and the Federal program to organize the strategic stock of food commodities during emergencies and crises, and the Pioneers of Food and Agriculture program, which will continue over the years 2023 to 2025, empowering young human capital annually to commercially manage agricultural and livestock industries.

These programs represent important steps towards utilizing the capabilities of entrepreneurs to support agriculture and livestock in the Emirates by transferring the urgently needed expertise and encourage them to launch businesses that can advance these industries.

In this context, Abu Dhabi hosted, for two days, between 50 to 60 leaders and specialized experts from governments, academia, and the private sector, as well as governmental and non-governmental funding bodies, from the UAE, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, Bahrain, Egypt, the United States, and selected Arab and Islamic countries that do not have formal diplomatic relations with Israel, to talk about cooperation in the fields of agriculture, water and food security, as part of the N7 initiative Which is a partnership project between the Atlantic Council and the Jeffrey M. Talbins Foundation, which aims to develop ideas and practical proposals for regional projects that can be implemented by governments in the Middle East region, in the presence of experts, government officials, university professors, and private sector representatives from Israel, Bahrain, Morocco, Egypt, Jordan and Sudan, and the participation of Senator New Jersey Democratic US Cory Booker and Republican US Senator Iowa State, Joni Earnest, both of the group of senators supporting the Abraham Accords in the US Senate, and Republican US Representative Michael McCaul, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Democratic Representative Brad Schneider will deliver a speech via video during the meeting, and each will participate via video conference technology. From the US ambassador to Israel, Tom Needs, the head of the Israeli National Security Council, Tzachi Hanegbi, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

In a related context, Oren Eisner, President of the Jeffrey M. Talbens Foundation, said: "Our goal is to produce creative regional solutions to common challenges related to climate change, water scarcity, and food insecurity," while Will Wexler, Senior Director of the N7 initiative, considered that the industry is unique in its ability to bring together a community of regional experts who had never had the opportunity to sit together at the same table.

But the truth is that the N7 initiative brought the world together to discuss a crisis that threatens humanity. Indeed, the proposed solutions in this gathering will have a tangible impact on food security worldwide.

About the Author

Max Morgan is the Founder & Chairman of People Authorized. A natural diplomat himself, Mr. Morgan over the years established close relationships with diplomats worldwide. He is of Egyptian descent and lived in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for 12 years allowing him to be fluent in both dialects of Arabic and adds significantly to his ability to move easily in international circles. Morgan recently organized the InPeace Summit at Trump National Golf, Bedminster, NJ to expand support for sustainable peace and encourage more countries to sign the Abraham Accords.