Why in News? 

The 7th edition of the Future Food Forum commenced on September 23, 2025, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The forum, held under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism, brings together global policymakers, industry leaders, and academics. Its central theme focuses on building resilient and sustainable food systems with a particular emphasis on advancing food security, trade, and innovation across the Global South. The event aims to provide a strategic platform to showcase and align the initiatives of the UAE Food Cluster with international partners.

Key Points

• Venue and Dates: The forum is being held from September 23 to 25, 2025, in Dubai, UAE.
• Patronage: Held under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism.
• Strategic Initiative: It serves as a key platform for the UAE Food Cluster, a national initiative designed to drive food security and industrial competitiveness.
• Core Objectives: The discussions focus on leveraging technology (AI, smart manufacturing), sustainability, and cross-border partnerships to strengthen food ecosystems.
• India-UAE Context: The forum highlighted the potential for UAE-India non-oil trade to serve as a benchmark for the Global South, especially under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
• New Initiatives: Key launches at the forum include a Knowledge Hub to connect academia and industry, and a Global Buyers Programme to facilitate international market access for UAE producers.

Important Terms

• UAE Food Cluster: A national strategic initiative to unify government, private sector, and research institutions to strengthen the UAE's food ecosystem and enhance food security.
• Global South: A term used to refer broadly to countries in Asia, Africa, and South America, often characterized by developing economies and shared challenges.
• CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement): A type of free trade agreement, specifically the one between India and the UAE, aimed at boosting trade and investment.
• Integrated Food Systems: A holistic approach to food security that considers all stages of the food value chain, from farming (farm to fork), and emphasizes technology and sustainability.