Ensuring healthier, more sustainable and equitable food systems around the world will be the focus of a global Food Systems Summit the United Nations is going to hold in September as part of the Decade of Action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Participating in the pre-summit, which is taking place in Rome from July 26 to 28, Minister of Municipality and Environment and Acting Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, H E Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie highlighted the State of Qatar’s experience in the food security sector.
Qatar has been successful in ensuring 100 percent availability of basic foodstuffs, while also ensuring high quality and affordability, on a daily basis, and at all times, including times of crisis and emergency. The government has worked through various initiatives to increase local food production capacity and cut reliance on imports.
Today the country is sourcing most of the market demand in vegetables, dairy, poultry and fish from the local farms. In some commodities, Qatar is now 100% self-sufficient, a remarkable feat given the challenges of harsh climate conditions and scarce natural resources.
Apart from raising local production capacity, the government has also worked for achieving sustainability in the food production in a number of ways. Treated wastewater is being used to produce green fodder in the country, which helps in addressing depletion of ground water reserves.
Similarly, sustainable fish farming projects have been launched to relieve pressure on the local fish stocks. Cutting food waste is another front the government is working on, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to reduce food waste by 50% by 2030.
The Minister said food quality and safety remains at top of the State’s agenda, and announced that the country will soon have a food safety authority, based on modern approaches and risk assessment, in terms of inspection, control and protection of food standards from farm to table.
Qatar National Vision 2030 is a great model and example of designing sustainable development policies as it maintains balance between economic, social and environmental development.
While developed nations have made great strides towards food security, the developing countries and regions embroiled in conflicts must not be left behind in this mission. Qatar has also called for global unity to support the food security system through the development and implementation of regulatory frameworks that prevent any country from being deprived of the food supply in times of conflict.
