At present, UAE is ranked 21st and it aims to join top 10 countries in Global Food Security Index by 2021 and 1st by 2051. The UAE imports 90 per cent of food, hence, food safety and security standards are the top priority.

Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Al Muhairi, the UAE's Minister of State for Food Security said, "food security is necessary because we are heading towards very high number of people, therefore, food demand will rise. But our planet doesn't have more resources to give so we are going see food gap."

The minister said Emirates Food Security Council has been formed in December and it is primary reference for all UAE food affairs. The Council is made of six other ministries' representatives and seven local authorities' officials to give strategic direction on food-related subject to implement strategy.

The ministry is also focusing on establishing unified agriculture licence, food security data framework and platform, aquaculture standards, fish feed facility and framework of agriculture finance among others.

Atiq Juma Nasib, Senior Vice President of Commercial Services at Dubai Chamber, said the UAE enjoys leading global position in the food and beverages (F&B) industries, where it is ranked first in Mena and 18th in the world for attractive investment environment in the F&B sector in the first quarter of 2020 on the Fitch Connect Risk Reward Index.

Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Al Muhairi pointed out the UAE is not just focused on ensuring food supply but also providing tools for the residents to make right choice in terms of nutrition.