Abu Dhabi presents AgriFood Growth and Water Abundance cluster at Future Food-Tech Summit in Chicago.

A high-level delegation from Abu Dhabi, led by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), recently participated in the Future-Food Tech Summit in Chicago to showcase the newly launched AgriFood Growth and Water Abundance (AGWA) cluster. The AGWA cluster, a collaborative effort led by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and ADIO, aims to address global food shortages and water scarcity by becoming a hub for innovative food, ingredients, and water-efficient technologies.

The delegation at the Future-Food Tech Summit included senior representatives from ADIO, Hub71, the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), and the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA). This participation in the summit, which is one of the largest gatherings for global food industry leaders, marks the latest in a series of activities by Abu Dhabi following the launch of AGWA.

To accelerate innovation and advanced research in addressing food shortages and water scarcity, leading Abu Dhabi research centers have agreed to collaborate. Additionally, various entities including ADIO, ADAFSA, and the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (ADQCC) have announced collaboration to streamline regulatory approvals and support mechanisms in the agriculture, food, and water sectors.

Infrastructure partners such as Abu Dhabi Ports Company, Abu Dhabi Airports Company, Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC), and Masdar City have also agreed to collaborate with ADIO to create an enabling environment for AGWA cluster companies.

Furthermore, the Ministries of Energy and Infrastructure, Industry and Advanced Technology, and Climate Change and Environment have formed a steering committee to create the necessary regulatory environment to position Abu Dhabi as a leading global food and water hub.

During the summit, ADIO held a breakout session titled “Building a Global, Sustainable Hub for Novel Food to Ensure Food and Water Security” to shed light on Abu Dhabi's strategic initiatives in food and water solutions, with a particular focus on the establishment of the AGWA cluster.

Highlighted during the US tour were partnerships with companies working on cultivated meat and alternative protein production, reflecting AGWA's commitment to driving innovation and addressing global challenges in the food and water sectors.

Overall, the AGWA cluster aims to contribute AED90 billion in incremental gross domestic product to the Abu Dhabi economy, create more than 60,000 new jobs, and attract significant investment.