President exchanges greetings of Ramadan with Ruler of UAQ
During the meeting at Qasr Al Bateen in Abu Dhabi, they engaged in brotherly and friendly discussions and greeted guests, including sheikhs and citizens
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Friday welcomed His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Rashid Al Mu’alla, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Umm Al Qaiwain (UAQ).
They exchanged greetings on the occasion of the Holy Month of Ramadan and prayed to God Almighty, asking for His blessings to bring goodness and prosperity.
They also prayed for the continued security and prosperity of the UAE and its people. During the meeting at Qasr Al Bateen in Abu Dhabi, they engaged in brotherly and friendly discussions and greeted guests, including sheikhs and citizens.those in atendance performed the Maghrib prayer and joined the Itar banquet hosted by His Highness the President.
Also in atendance were His Highness Sheikh Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region; Sheikh Suroor Bin Mohammed Al Nahyan; Lt. General Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; Sheikh Hamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Khalid Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination (ZHO); Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan; and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Advisor for Special Affairs at the Presidential Court.
‘COUNT YOUR NE’MA’ RAMADAN CAMPAIGN: Recently, ne’ma, the UAE National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, announced the launch of its nationwide Ramadan campaign, “Count Your ne’ma” (Count Your Blessings), which aims to raise awareness and encourage actionable steps to reduce food loss and waste during the holy month. According to ne’ma’s recent National Household Survey, 85 percent of participants recognise food waste as a crucial national issue.
ne’ma the National Food Loss and Waste initiative- a partnership between Emirates Foundation and the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, aims to inspire individuals to be more considerate and mindful when it comes to food consumption, emphasising the importance of reducing waste and stockpiling and embracing sustainability. The month-long campaign aligns with the values of Ramadan and encourages reflection and the cultivation of good habits, including meal planning, serving smaller food portions, storing food properly and sharing untouched food with those in need.
Key elements of the “Count Your ne’ma” campaign include behaviour change initiatives to drive new social norms and sustainable practices on the individual level, supported by the collaboration with the hospitality industry partners, regulatory bodies, and food banks to distribute imperfect surplus fresh produce to support communities, prevent food waste, and contribute to food security. This mission aims to rescue surplus produce that would otherwise go to waste, redirecting it to benefit communities while simultaneously promoting a circular economy by reducing food waste. ne’ma invited everyone to support this vital aspect of the campaign to make a meaningful impact on both society and the environment.
Building on the commitment of the hospitality sector, over 270 sector partners are now registered and reporting data on the ne’ma Data Hub. These partners include leading hotel chains Hilton, Accor, Rotana, Marriot, and Jumeirah, among others. The application of ne’ma’s behavioural nudges has been recorded since 2022, achieving up to 62 percent of food waste reduction. ne’ma aims to continue identifying opportunities and best practices to reduce food waste in hospitality setings, while improving diner satisfaction.
This year, ne’ma and the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Safety Authority (ADAFSA) are strategically collaborating on the “Together Blessings Last” Ramadan trial for the hospitality sector.
The trial aims to measure and report actual food waste levels during Ramadan and identify Ramadan-specific behaviours to establish recommendations for years to come. By highlighting sector-specific Ramadan challenges and best practices, a comprehensive trial report will be published, and industry champions dedicated to food waste reduction recognised.