UAE launches National Nutrition strategy 2022-2030

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) launch National Nutrition Strategy to combat obesity and encourage healthy eating

The strategy will establish sustainable nutritional systems, provide safe and supportive nutritional environments at all ages, and strengthen food governance. The Ministry has also launched the strategy’s operational plan.

This comes as part of MoHAP’s ongoing efforts to support the UAE’s visions aimed at improving the health of younger generations, achieving food security, and raising the quality of life and its sustainability.

The strategy was launched during an event hosted by the ministry at the Etihad Museum. Salem Al Darmaki, Advisor to the Minister of Health and Prevention, and Nouf Khamis Al Ali, Director of the Health Promotion Department at MoHAP, were present.

Also taking part in the launch were representatives of 22 government and private entities, including strategic partners from various sectors, such as health, education, municipalities, trade, industry, agriculture, economy and the food industry.

The strategy has five more strategic targets, including: developing sustainable and flexible food systems for healthy diets, providing health systems and comprehensive coverage of basic nutrition measures, offering social protection and nutrition education, providing safe and supportive environments for nutrition at all ages, and following an advanced food strategy.

Speaking on the occasion, Abdul Rahman bin Mohammad bin Nasser Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, emphasised that the National Nutrition Strategy lays out a comprehensive road map for the development of a healthy food system based on sustainable practices and a participatory approach that incorporates a broad range of strategic partners.

“We look forward to achieving the healthy nutrition goals for all sectors of society through this plan while also delivering health care services of top-notch quality,” he said.

Al Owais added that the ministry's collaboration with numerous stakeholders in putting the strategy into practice will help achieve the long-term objectives of creating a sustainable health system and enhancing the nutritional status of society, in a way that ensures the health and well-being of individuals as well as families and upgrades the sustainable development of our society as a whole.

“MoHAP is committed to implementing the strategy in collaboration with other stakeholders, using clear coordination channels, and basing all policies on the ‘One Health’ concept. We will make every possible effort to decrease the prevalence of diseases connected to lifestyle and enhance the results of national health indicators.

“Driven by the National Strategy for Wellbeing and ‘We the UAE 2031’ Strategy, the strategy would help improve data based on specific criteria for monitoring progress and evaluating results,” Al Owais explained.