UAE Circular Economy Council focuses on food security, sustainable growth

The UAE Circular Economy Council held its first meeting of 2026 on Wednesday, with discussions centred on strengthening food security, expanding sustainable production, and increasing investment in circular economy sectors.

The meeting was chaired by Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, and took place at Barakat Quality Plus Group, a UAE company specialising in fresh foods and juices. It was attended by council members from government, the private sector and academic institutions.

Officials reviewed the latest progress on national policies aimed at accelerating the UAE’s transition towards a circular economy model, with a focus on stronger governance, updated regulations and practical systems to ensure policies are effectively implemented.

The meeting also explored investment opportunities in circular economy sectors, particularly within the food industry, and highlighted the role of innovation in improving production, storage and distribution. Discussions also focused on building national talent and improving workforce readiness to support more sustainable and efficient production models.

Abdulla bin Touq said the food sector remains one of the most important pillars of the UAE’s food security system, especially as global supply chains continue to face pressure from geopolitical and economic challenges.

He said strengthening circular economy policies in the food sector would improve resilience, efficiency and the ability to respond quickly to disruption.

He also highlighted the importance of stronger public-private partnerships, particularly through the Food Economic Cluster, which supports food-related industries across the country and helps advance the UAE Circular Economy Agenda 2031.

Following the meeting, bin Touq toured Barakat Quality Plus Group’s production facilities, where he reviewed manufacturing lines, food and juice production, and the company’s future expansion plans aimed at increasing output and supporting growth in the UAE market.

Founded in 1976, Barakat Group is one of the UAE’s leading producers and suppliers of fresh food products and beverages, serving hotels, restaurants, cafés, retailers and catering companies across the country.