• Collaboration will contribute to the UAE’s National Food Security Strategy 2051 with a 50% reduction of food loss and waste by 2030

Abu Dhabi, UAE – The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ne’ma – the National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, underscoring its dedication to embedding sustainable practices across the emirate’s tourism, hospitality and events sectors.

The MoU was signed by HE Saleh Mohammed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, and Khuloud Hasan Al Nuwais, Chief Sustainability Officer of Emirates Foundation and ne’ma National Steering Committee Secretary-General.

ne’ma is a transformative movement that highlights the impact of food waste and instills the value of preserving resources. Its efforts and initiatives foster a culture of responsibility and environmental stewardship in the UAE, leading the charge toward a sustainable future.

The national food loss and waste initiative is at the core of the UAE’s drive toward ensuring food security and addressing climate change, and this collaboration aims to drive transformative change in the travel and hospitality sector, contributing to the National Food Security Strategy 2051 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 target aiming to reduce food loss and waste in the UAE by 50 percent by 2030.

HE Saleh Mohammed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: "As Abu Dhabi continues to grow as a leading global destination, it is essential that we advance our commitment to sustainable development, establishing our emirate as a responsible hub for tourism and events. The partnership with ne'ma sets out a roadmap for meaningful action to reduce food loss and waste while creating awareness among travellers and stakeholders about responsible consumption.”

As part of the MoU, DCT Abu Dhabi will encourage restaurants, hotels, and tourism establishments to adopt sustainable practices such as portion control, menu optimisation, and creative use of surplus food; and develop educational campaigns for tourists and residents to highlight the environmental impact of food waste and the importance of responsible consumption.

Khuloud Hasan Al Nuwais, Chief Sustainability Officer, Emirates Foundation and ne’ma Committee Secretary General said: “The MoU with DCT Abu Dhabi marks an important step toward promoting sustainable practices within the UAE’s hospitality and tourism sectors. Through this collaboration, ne’ma will work with hotels, restaurants and tourism establishments to adopt key food waste reduction initiatives such as portion control, menu optimization, and the innovative use of surplus food. ne’ma will also spearhead educational campaigns that engage both residents and tourists, emphasizing the environmental impact of food waste and the importance of mindful, responsible consumption.”

DCT Abu Dhabi will also facilitate the redistribution of surplus food to charitable organisations, food banks, or for composting, in collaboration with stakeholders across the value chain; collect data on food waste within the tourism sector to identify trends, hotspots, and areas for improvement, thereby informing future strategies; and promote broader sustainability initiatives, including reducing single-use plastics, supporting local food producers, and minimising transportation-related emissions.

DCT Abu Dhabi partnered with ne’ma for its inaugural Retrofit Summit to support the objective of reducing the event’s carbon emissions by taking actions to minimize food waste and improve food related operational efficiency. As a result of this partnership, 89 kg food waste from the event was diverted from landfill with 17.8 kg compost created to support local farmers.

Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau (ADCEB) also collaborated with ne’ma at the ICCA Congress where key elements of ne’ma’s “Zero Food to Landfill” framework were adopted to ensure sustainable operations, raising awareness amongst delegates, reducing food waste, rescue and distribution.

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About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi:

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors, fuels economic progress and helps achieve Abu Dhabi’s wider global ambitions. By working in partnership with the organisations that define the emirate’s position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate’s potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies and systems to support the culture, creative and tourism industries.

DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision is defined by the emirate’s people, heritage and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi’s status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought.

For more information about the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and the destination, please visit: dctabudhabi.ae and visitabudhabi.ae

About ne’ma

ne’ma – the National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, is a response to the call to action by the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to reduce food waste, encourage individual and social responsibility, and promote sustainable practices across the food value chain.

Established in 2022, ne’ma aims to address overproduction and overconsumption and build new standards that can contribute to the reduction of food loss and food waste, reconnecting with the country’s deep-rooted traditional values of social responsibility and mindful stewardship of national resources.

For more information, please visit: www.nema.ae