‘Heavy reliance on imports for food makes GCC vulnerable to external fluctuations’

Published: 7 September 2024

Minister says food security has become ‘one of the most important challenges facing our countries’

Qatar News Agency
Doha

Heavy reliance on imports to meet food needs makes GCC countries vulnerable to external fluctuations, which highlights the importance of adopting comprehensive national and regional strategies to enhance self-sufficiency and ensure the sustainability of food resources, Minister of Municipality H E Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiyah, has said.

He was speaking at the 36th meeting of the Agricultural Cooperation and Food Security Committee of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries held in Doha.

Addressing the meeting, the Minister of Municipality, stressed that food security has become one of the most important challenges facing our countries, especially in light of climate change, population growth pressures, and fluctuations in global markets.

He noted the remarkable progress witnessed in recent years in the field of food security in the GCC countries. He also commended the joint between member states to achieve this goal by enhancing cooperation to ensure the transformation of national food systems into healthy, sustainable systems capable of withstanding crises.

The Minister highlighted the production leap achieved by the State of Qatar during the past five years in terms of food security, in terms of significant growth in cultivated areas and quantity and production, in addition to achieving 100 percent self-sufficiency of fresh dairy products and their derivatives and fresh poultry.

He also praised the new National Food Security Strategy, which is scheduled to be launched soon, and which comes in line with the Third National Development Strategy (2024-2030), which eyes sustainability and reliance on modern technologies and innovation in the agricultural sector, in order to achieve Qatar National Vision 2030.

He also praised the remarkable efforts made by the sisterly Sultanate of Oman during its presidency of the Committee’s last session, expressing appreciation to the GCC General Secretariat for its continuous efforts in enhancing joint Gulf action.

Secretary-General of the GCC, Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, stressed that the GCC countries regard food security as a critical issue, one that concerns many nations and regional and international organisations, affirming that the GCC General Secretariat, through its strategic partnerships, places this issue at the top of its priorities, praising the excellent plans, distinguished programmes and significant steps taken by all the GCC states to ensure food security.