Dubai forum to focus on global food crisis

from Emirates Business

The impact of the global food crisi in the middle east will be the subject of an upcoming conference in Dubai. - Kale

The crisis has triggered a broad review of agricultural and economic priorities in the region, where nearly all the states are net food importers. And new challenges such as climate change have hit agricultural production in the poorest countries.

These problems will be discussed at the 2008 Regional Round Table Meeting on Commodity Development. The event is being held on August 24 and 25 by Amsterdam-based Common Fund for Commodities, an international financial institution established by the United Nations.

The round table meetings are normally held in Africa, Asia and Latin America. However, this year the fund decided to hold a separate session in Dubai to address the unique needs and requirements of the region's commodity sector.

"We're holding the 2008 meeting here in Dubai to elevate regional public attention to a number of important issues related to the ongoing food crisis and its impact on the Middle East," said Ali Mchumo, the organisation's managing director.

"We need to rethink and formulate innovative pathways for new policies to boost investments in regional and global agricultural productivity to meet the growing demand for food.

"Certainly this is one way to connect the importance of international action and co-operation on commodity development in producing countries, which form the majority of the fund's membership. The international community must address both the matter of the food crisis and security, as well as economic growth on the part of commodity producers, since their full participation in global trade is the only realistic solution for ending poverty and guaranteeing sustainable food production, supply and security."

The meeting, which has been organised with help from the UAE's Ministry of Environment and Water, will focus on the importance of commodity-related economic development in the Middle East and the Arab World.

Many of the challenges faced by the region are common in the world. But a combination of factors such as climate change, desertification and rising energy production and consumption costs means it is imperative that the Middle East increase its regional integration efforts, says the fund.

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