The UAE National Food Loss and Waste Initiative (ne’ma) and the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for international cooperation to tackle food loss and waste (FLW).
ne’ma, launched back in 2022, is a collaboration between the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and Emirates Foundation, an independent, philanthropic organisation, formed to cut food loss and waste by 50 per cent by 2030.
Food waste is a significant issue in the country, with nearly 40 per cent of daily food prepared wasted, to the tune of 6 billion AED—a figure that rises to 60 per cent during Ramadan.
The MoU follows ne’ma’s JICE Japan visit, where it explored strategies and best practices for food loss and waste reduction, assessing policy frameworks, regulatory approaches, and community-driven efforts.
JICE has previously collaborated with ne’ma. In 2023, the two launched “The ne’ma 7 Days Diary”, an awareness program targeting students and youths. The collaborative initiative engaged Abu Dhabi’s Year-7 students to record the food waste generated from their three main daily meals over a week.
“ne’ma is dedicated to identifying educational approaches and innovative solutions and adaptable technologies that can be implemented in the UAE, while also forging strategic partnerships to promote sustainable practices in food loss and waste reduction,” said Khuloud Hasan Al Nuwais, Chief Sustainability Officer of Emirates Foundation and ne’ma Committee Secretary General.
Abu Dhabi-based waste management and recycling services company Tadweer Group also joined ne’ma during its Japan visit, which, according to Managing Director and CEO Eng. Ali Al Dhaheri, introduced the company to new practices and avenues.
Tadweer Group aims to divert 80 per cent of waste from landfills in Abu Dhabi by 2030.
Commenting on the MoU, Yoshida Kozo, President of the Japan International Cooperation Center, said: “We are thrilled to formalize our partnership with ne’ma through this Memorandum of Understanding, which marks a significant step in our commitment to sustainable food practices. By sharing Japan’s rich expertise in food waste management, we aim to support the UAE in achieving its ambitious goal of reducing food loss by 50 percent by 2030. This collaboration not only strengthens our international ties but also enhances our collective capacity to tackle the pressing global challenge of food waste.”
