UAE Strengthens Climate and Food Security Cooperation in South Africa During G20 Meetings
Cape Town, 19th October 2025 – Dr Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment of the UAE, led a high-level delegation to Cape Town, South Africa, in a concerted effort to reinforce the UAE’s role as a global driver in environmental and climate action. The visit coincided with the G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) Ministerial Meeting and the launch of the UAE-South Africa Sustainable Agriculture and Food Forum.
The UAE’s participation aimed to bolster multilateral cooperation on urgent environmental issues, foster food security, and translate international dialogue into tangible outcomes, specifically through new economic and investment partnerships for sustainable development.
During the G20 ECSWG Ministerial Meeting, Dr Amna Al Dahak underlined the UAE’s “steadfast commitment to multilateral cooperation in addressing pressing environmental and climate challenges.” Commending South Africa for hosting the meeting, she stated:
“multilateral environmental cooperation is the most effective means of addressing complex climate issues”.
She also highlighted the importance of recognising “the diverse national capacities and unique circumstances of all nations, particularly developing ones.”
In her keynote, Dr Amna Al Dahak noted the alignment between the G20’s mission to “promote cooperation, solidarity and fairness” and the UAE’s own vision. She outlined the nation’s progress in key areas such as biodiversity conservation, combating desertification, advancing the circular economy, air quality improvement, and achieving Net Zero by 2050 through investment in clean energy and nature-based solutions.
In her closing remarks, she thanked the participating ministers and reaffirmed the UAE’s dedication to the principles outlined in the Ministerial Declarations, which called for collective action to protect the planet, foster prosperity, and ensure an urgent response to environmental challenges.
On the sidelines of the G20 meetings, the UAE-South Africa Sustainable Agriculture and Food Forum was inaugurated, providing a strategic platform for deepening cooperation in areas such as food security, agricultural innovation, and climate-resilient agriculture. The forum sought to enhance agrifood trade, promote public-private partnerships in agricultural technology, and encourage the exchange of expertise in desert agriculture and smart logistics.
The forum was attended by Dr Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Premier Alan Winde of the Western Cape Province, and Mahash Saeed Alhameli, UAE Ambassador to South Africa. Senior officials from the UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, government entities, and a host of leading Emirati companies across the food and agriculture sectors took part, alongside South African counterparts.
In her opening remarks, Dr Amna Al Dahak said:
“The Forum is a testament to our shared commitment to tackling one of the world’s most urgent challenges of building sustainable food systems in the face of climate change and the increasing global demand for food.”
She added:
“South Africa, with its rich agricultural heritage and strong trade relations with the UAE, is a natural partner in our collective endeavour to strengthen sustainable food security.”
She called for enhancing collaborative efforts specifically through partnerships between major companies from both nations, highlighting the importance of expanding economic ties to achieve shared food security objectives.
The UAE delegation included representatives from the National Agriculture Centre (NAC), Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), Sharjah Department of Agriculture and Livestock, DP World, Dubai Chambers, Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO). Notable companies present included Agthia Group UAE, Fish Farm, Food Tech Valley, Silal, Emirates Bio Farm, Al Foah Date Company, Admiral Livestock Trading, and Al Awar Livestock Trading.
On the South African side, the event saw participation from senior officials at the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, and sector leaders like the Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz), Agricultural Research Council (ARC), Stellenbosch University, and Capespan.
The forum convened a series of roundtables and strategic dialogues focusing on Sustainable Agricultural Innovation, Food Security and Resilient Supply Chains, and Trade Facilitation and Investment. Participants explored ways to boost investment in sustainable agriculture and food enterprises, reviewed regulatory frameworks, and discussed a comprehensive roadmap for agri-investment and innovation collaboration for 2026-2030.
As part of the itinerary, the UAE delegation also undertook field visits to key agricultural sites. From a tour of Cape Town Harbour for fresh produce export processes, to visits to major lemon farms and quality-testing central laboratories in the Western Cape, the delegation gained invaluable insight into the South African agricultural sector.
These engagements were designed to deepen the UAE’s understanding of the local market, identify new opportunities, and foster practical partnerships to facilitate trade and investment between the two nations.
Team V.4-EM-UAE
