The UAE has initiated the National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, known as “ne’ma,” which aims to lead collaborative efforts between government and private sectors to measure food waste across the country. This initiative is critical as it addresses the growing concern of food loss and waste, which is a significant issue in the region.

Over an 18-month period, the study will engage a representative sample of more than 3 000 participants, including households, institutions, and private sector companies. The goal is to measure and understand the levels, causes, and locations of food loss and waste throughout the UAE.

The findings from this comprehensive study are expected to inform targeted and evidence-based interventions to mitigate food loss and waste. Additionally, the results will contribute to the establishment of national indices that will assist in tracking the nation’s targets for reducing food waste effectively.