The Arab Federation for the Digital Economy, a member of the Executive Office of the Forum of Arab Federations Specialized in the League of Arab States, participated in the “Arab Food Security and Sustainability” workshop, which was held in the Pavilion of the League of Arab States (Blue Zone) in Expo City Dubai, on December 10, 2023., organized by the Federation. The Arab Chambers, in cooperation with the League of Arab States, the Arab Federation for the Digital Economy, the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development, the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, the Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development, and the UNIDO Office for Investment and Technology Promotion – Bahrain.

Mr. Mohamed Firdous, a member of the Arab Federation for the Digital Economy, participated in a working paper in which he explained that the Arab Food Market platform is an advanced digital platform that connects its various components, which include the exporter and seller, the buyer and importer, as well as all suppliers of supporting services, which include “transportation – logistics services – storage – Inspection, testing and classification – issuance of certificates – financing and lending – insurance – customs clearance.” Implementation mechanisms depend on Blockchain technology, through which financial dues can be transferred according to the agreed upon contracting mechanism and guaranteed by the platform through an intermediary bank account that allows the payment of amounts upon completion of work and approvals. On the system, to move between digital wallets from the importer to the exporter and other eligible parties.

Mr. Muhammad Firdaus also stressed that food security constitutes one of the major challenges facing the Arab peoples and the world as a whole, stressing the importance of economic and investment integration between the Arab countries to achieve food security in its various dimensions and components and to deal with the challenges that were reflected in the Arab countries due to international changes. He explained that the challenges that will face the Arab food market in the future are climate changes and their impact on food production and the availability of water resources, which requires working to develop and implement new strategies to enhance sustainability and preserve the natural resources important for food production.