Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi Majlis discusses food security

Sharjah 24

10-03-2025

Discussion focused on two main topics: food security and professional engineering, within the framework of supporting the UAE strategic vision to achieve sustainable development and ensure a safe and stable future in these two vital fields.
Opening speech by His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi
His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi opened the Majlis with a speech in which he welcomed the attendees, stressing the importance of Ramadan Majlis as a platform for exchanging ideas and promoting constructive dialogue on issues of concern to society.
Al Nuaimi explained that the topics of food security and professional engineering were chosen due to their direct impact on development and the national economy, pointing out the need to work on developing effective strategies to ensure the sustainability of food resources, in addition to advancing the engineering field according to international standards.
Food security in light of the growing population
Professor Simon McKirdy, Deputy Vice Chancellor Global Engagement at Murdoch University, spoke about the challenges facing food security globally, noting that ensuring food security requires a delicate balance between agricultural production and environmental sustainability. Professor McKirdy explained that there are five main areas that must be focused on to achieve food security, including biosecurity to ensure the protection of crops and livestock from pests and diseases, and pesticide management due to the importance of finding solutions that reduce the environmental impact of using pesticides in agricultural production, in addition to choosing crops and livestock, and studying the possibility of growing crops that are more capable of withstanding changing climatic conditions.
Professor McKirdy addressed the circular economy and the importance of reducing waste and recycling resources to achieve higher production efficiency, in addition to agricultural technology, represented in the use of modern technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics to improve production efficiency.
Professor McKerdy also praised the initiatives of the Emirate of Sharjah in enhancing food security, referring to the wheat cultivation project in the Mleiha area, which comes within the framework of the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to transform the region into a sustainable agricultural oasis.
Efforts of the Ruler of Sharjah in achieving food security
The vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, was discussed as the cornerstone in enhancing food security in the Emirate of Sharjah, as His Highness launched many ambitious projects that enhance local production and reduce dependence on imports.
The most prominent of these projects is the Mleiha Wheat Farm, which aims to transform the region into a major source of wheat production, contributing to achieving food sustainability, in addition to 'Saba' Sanabel' (seven spikes) project, which reflects the trend towards developing grain cultivation in the emirate.
His Highness was also keen to launch the "Mleiha Dairy" project, which is one of the pioneering projects that support local dairy production, ensuring the provision of high-quality food products and enhancing the independence of the agricultural sector in the emirate.
A number of attendees interacted amidst the exchange of opinions and ideas between the participants, in an atmosphere of friendliness and appreciation for this type of Majlis that combine thought and practice, and contribute to enhancing community awareness of important strategic issues, as they spoke about the importance of working towards achieving food security.
Importance of Water in Achieving Food Security
Professor Dr. Moataz Ali, Professor at the University of Sharjah, discussed the importance of water as a basic element in achieving food security, explaining that most Arab countries suffer from water scarcity, which requires searching for alternative solutions such as desalination of seawater and water recycling.
Professor Dr. Moataz Ali pointed out that the UAE has 71 desalination plants that provide about 6 million cubic metres per day, which represents 14% of the local market needs.
In this context, His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi confirmed that the UAE relies on a combination of desalination of seawater and groundwater, and also has marine research centres that contribute to finding innovative solutions to enhance water security. He stressed the importance of increasing local food production and reducing dependence on imports, pointing out the need to double production over the next ten years to achieve self-sufficiency.
Professional Engineering Role in Enhancing Engineers' Efficiency
The Majlis then moved to the second topic, professional engineering.
Professor Ghanem Kashwani, Professor of Civil Engineering and Advisor to the Emirates Society of Engineers, presented a comprehensive vision on the importance of adopting the professional engineering system to classify engineers and raise their efficiency according to international standards.
Professor Kashwani explained that the engineering system in many countries is based on classifying engineers into three main grades:
Graduate Engineer: An engineer who has obtained his university degree and begins to gain practical experience.
Professional Engineer: An engineer who has completed a certain number of years of experience and passed specialised professional tests.
Fellow Engineer: An engineer who has extensive experience and supervises major projects.
Professor Kashwani pointed out that adopting such system in the UAE will contribute to improving the quality of engineering projects and ensuring that engineering knowledge is updated in line with the latest technical developments.
Ongoing Professional Development for Engineers
Professor Subaih Khasaf, Advisory Member of the British Association of Civil Engineers, and Professor Abdul Rahim Sabouni, Fellow of the American Association of Civil Engineers, stressed the importance of continuing professional development for engineers, explaining that maintaining professional membership requires engineers to submit an annual record of their engineering activities, which includes attending specialised training courses, participating in international engineering conferences, and publishing scientific research in peer-reviewed journals.
They pointed out that this approach ensures continuous learning and keeping pace with technological changes, which enhances engineers' ability to apply global best practices in their future projects.
Conclusion and Recommendations
At the Majlis conclusion, His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi stressed the need for joint work between different sectors to achieve food security and enhance professional engineering.
His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi pointed out the importance of supporting scientific research and investing in modern technologies to ensure the sustainability of resources and enhance the UAE's competitiveness at the global level. He also called on the attendees to continue the dialogue and work to implement the initiatives and proposals presented during the Majlis.