Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine, Denys Bashlyk, during a working visit to the UAE, met with Khaled Al-Attar, CEO of the DIHAD Sustainable Organisation.
The parties discussed prospects for creating agri-food hubs as a new format of international cooperation in the field of food security.
Particular attention was paid to developing cooperation between the state and businesses at the B2B and B2G levels, as well as establishing partnerships between scientific institutions. Among practical steps are the organization of a Ukrainian pavilion at the DIHAD exhibition in the UAE, and the hosting of a thematic roundtable focused on food humanitarian assistance.
Denys Bashlyk emphasized that food security and the creation of food hubs, including in the Middle East, could become a new strategic direction for cooperation.
“Ukraine is already actively expanding the Food from Ukraine initiative, specifically through the creation of food hubs in African countries. This is not just about exports – it is about building local infrastructure for storage, processing, and distribution of food. We aim to scale this approach. Together, we can create a network of modern food hubs to ensure stable food supplies to the regions that need it most, including the Middle East. This is a contribution to global food security and stability,” the Deputy Minister said.
He also noted that developing such cooperation will help form a new innovative agro-ecosystem and deepen economic and investment ties between countries. Through joint efforts, it is possible to create an effective partnership model that can serve as an example for the entire region and strengthen Ukraine’s role in ensuring global food security.
“The United Arab Emirates is a key partner for Ukraine in developing modern agri-food logistics and processing infrastructure. We view the creation of hubs as a strategic element of a new food security architecture, not only for Ukraine but also for regions in the Middle East and Africa. This initiative has significant investment potential and opens the way for implementing joint projects with high added value,” said Denys Bashlyk.
DIHAD Sustainable is a specialized platform and international initiative aimed at promoting sustainable practices in agriculture, food, water management, forestry, and natural resource use. It brings together government institutions, international organizations, agribusiness, scientific institutions, and NGOs to exchange knowledge, advanced experience, and technologies that support sustainable development in the agricultural sectors amid climate change, economic challenges, and rising environmental security requirements.
