Khuloud Hassan Al Nuwais, Chief Sustainability Officer at Emirates Foundation and Secretary General of the ne’ma Committee.
In collaboration with the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC) and local statistical agencies throughout the Emirates, the ne’ma initiative has initiated the data collection phase of the UAE’s inaugural National Food Loss and Waste Baseline Study.
From September 8 to 21, 2025, teams will conduct measurements of food waste in households across the nation while businesses participating in the study will provide their data through the ne’ma data platform. This two-week campaign represents the first comprehensive direct analysis of waste composition at the source in the UAE, involving various sectors throughout the entire food supply chain.
Scientific Rigor and National Collaboration
The fieldwork is spearheaded by FCSC and local statistical offices to maintain statistical validity and ensure national representation. Their responsibilities include:
- Validating the national sample size using scientifically valid methods.
- Ensuring adherence to UAE survey protocols, quality assurance, and ethical guidelines.
- Integrating local data into a comprehensive federal dataset that will serve as the basis for national food loss and waste metrics.
As the primary authority on national statistics and sustainable development metrics, FCSC also oversees the UAE’s reporting on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in accordance with international standards set by FAO and UNEP.
“This nationwide fieldwork is a crucial step toward establishing a data-driven foundation for measuring, monitoring, and implementing targeted strategies to minimize food loss and waste across the UAE,” stated Khuloud Hassan Al Nuwais. “The baseline study offers a collective means to evaluate current food loss and waste levels through a coordinated approach involving key stakeholders in ne’ma, including government entities, the private sector, and the public. Our collaboration with FCSC and local partners ensures that this baseline study is scientifically sound and aligns with international standards.”
Transforming Insights into Action
The study aims to assess both the magnitude and underlying causes of food loss and waste, across all stages of the value chain—from production and import to processing, distribution, retail, and household consumption. The data collected will:
- Contribute to the UAE’s official food loss and waste metrics.
- Identify geographic and demographic patterns of waste.
- Support data-driven solutions, awareness initiatives, and systemic interventions.
- Facilitate the capacity for ongoing national reporting, with the study scheduled to occur every three years.
“The partnership among FCSC, ne’ma, and local statistical entities showcases the UAE’s dedication to translating insights on food loss and waste into systematic and effective governmental actions,” remarked Hanan Mansour Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre. “Our aim is to ensure the highest level of statistical accuracy and reliability so that the results are both nationally representative and globally comparable. This approach reinforces the UAE’s role as a global leader in sustainability and confirms its commitment to achieving the SDGs as tangible accomplishments that benefit the present and secure the future.”
The initiative unites over 25 federal and local organizations, including MOCCAE, ADAFSA, Tadweer Group, Dubai Municipality, and Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority (DECCA), among others.
Alia Abdul Rahim Al Harmoudi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Sustainable Communities Sector at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, stated: “The UAE Food Loss and Waste Baseline Study is foundational in supporting the National Food Security Strategy 2051 and enhancing the UAE’s environmental and climate commitments. It aims to conserve natural resources through waste reduction and achieve comprehensive sustainability. As the national custodian for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12, the Ministry is dedicated to promoting awareness and education regarding sustainable consumption and production patterns. In this context, the ne’ma initiative is crucial in reducing food loss and waste and focuses on SDG 12.3, which seeks to halve per capita food waste by 2030. This study will provide the necessary data to minimize waste, improve resource efficiency, and expedite our transition to a more sustainable, circular economy.”
The final results of the study are scheduled for release in the first half of 2026, paving the way for new initiatives, partnerships, and community engagement efforts aimed at meeting the UAE’s food loss and waste reduction goals for 2030.