DUBAI: The UAE Food Bank, an initiative under the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) umbrella, focused on collecting, distributing, and managing excess food to reduce waste and support beneficiaries globally, has entered into a collaborative agreement with Ferjan Dubai, which specialises in media services through websites and social media platforms.
The agreement aims to support the UAE Food Bank’s initiatives and campaigns to manage and distribute surplus food and reduce waste.
Manal Bin Yaarouf, Head of the Executive Team of the UAE Food Bank, and Alia Salem Alshamlan, Director of Ferjan Dubai, signed the agreement at the second day of World Governments Summit (WGS) 2024.
Bin Yaarouf highlighted the UAE Food Bank’s commitment to enhancing collaboration and forging strategic partnerships with diverse organisations, institutions, and private sector entities. This commitment is integral for constant development and support of the bank’s efforts and initiatives aimed at efficiently man
aging, collecting, and delivering surplus food to beneficiaries worldwide, while minimising waste. The goal is to realise the bank’s vision of becoming a sustainable global leader, aligning with the UAE’s future trajectory and objectives in leading the efforts for sustainable development.
She said, ‘We are pleased to announce our partnership with Ferjan Dubai, a platform dedicated to fostering interaction and social communication among residents of Dubai. Ferjan Dubai will extend media support to the UAE Food Bank’s events throughout the holy month of Ramadan. This collaboration aims to actively engage with the bank in conveying its message, promoting the principles of community responsibility and volunteerism, reinforcing the importance of responsible food handling, and raising awareness among various segments of society, including youth, partners, and volunteers.’
Alia Alshamlan, Director of Ferjan Dubai, said, “We are pleased to enter into a strategic partnership with the UAE Food Bank. This will further
strengthen our joint efforts in the field of community responsibility, including enhancing awareness among community members regarding the significance of preserving and food waste. Through careful collection, processing, and distribution adhering to top standards, we will ensure that surplus food reaches the beneficiaries, fostering a humanitarian value and approach to nourishment. In addition, the memorandum will contribute to the promotion of the concepts of recycling excess and non-consumable food, positively impacting environmental sustainability and reducing the carbon footprint associated with food waste.’
Under the agreement, the UAE Food Bank, in collaboration with Ferjan Dubai, is obligated to furnish informational content on its initiatives, campaigns, and programs related to reducing food waste throughout the holy month of Ramadan. Additionally, the bank is committed to managing surplus food resources and receiving media support from Ferjan. Furthermore, there is a joint commitment to coordinate
efforts in raising awareness about best practices to minimise food waste and enhance the efficient utilisation of food within households.
The UAE Food Bank is the first bank of its kind in the UAE, functioning as a comprehensive humanitarian system. It enhances the significance of food provision, optimises surplus food management, minimises waste, and ensures the delivery of top-quality provisions to its beneficiaries. All these efforts align with the bank’s core institutional values of humanity, giving, sustainability, and community responsibility. Additionally, the bank places a significant emphasis on food security, actively supporting and working towards its realisation at both local and global levels. The overarching aim is to contribute to the global fight against hunger, advancing the Sustainable Development Goals in the process.
More than 4,000 participants from the public and private sectors will participate in 110 interactive sessions at WGS 2024, including 200 speakers from 80 international, regi
onal and intergovernmental organisations including the UN, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the World Health Organization, the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Arab League. It will also welcome eight Nobel prize winners, and provide a platform for 23 ministerial meetings in the presence of more than 300 ministers. In partnership with a select group of knowledge partners, the Summit will launch more than 25 strategic reports, focusing on the most important practices and trends in vital sectors.
Source: Emirates News Agency