AgriFood Growth & Water Abundance (AGWA), Abu Dhabi’s new food and water cluster, has announced it is teaming up with five of the UAE capital’s leading universities and technology enablers to advance food and water innovation.
Led by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), AGWA will join forces with the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority Lab (ADIA Lab), Khalifa University, the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), and Hub71.
Together, the partners will establish a comprehensive framework to facilitate research and development activities. This framework aims to bring new products, processes, and services to market while supporting companies in integrating into global value chains and enabling their transition to high-value activities.
Additionally, the partnerships will reportedly provide continuous learning opportunities to enhance the skills of Abu Dhabi’s workforce.
The five Abu Dhabi research-led organisations will work closely with other AGWA companies to support the development of cutting-edge solutions and technologies, nurture talent and expertise, and provide insights into emerging trends that affect market demands and challenges related to food and water.
The research centres will play a “defining role” in uncovering breakthroughs and advancements related to the future of food and water. This will drive progress in areas such as the development of alternative proteins, functional ingredients, algae, farming, and reverse osmosis membranes, it was shared.
Dr. Horst Simon, Director of ADIA Lab, commented: “The AGWA Cluster will foster collaboration between experts from various fields, working together to find solutions to a global and vitally important issue: food and water scarcity. We look forward to drawing on our network of leading scientists, supporting cutting-edge research projects and hosting knowledge-sharing events to play our part in the success of AGWA.”
Ahmad Ali Alwan, CEO of Hub71, added: “Food and water security has been an important theme for Abu Dhabi and the UAE. Innovative technologies will play a significant role in developing sustainable food and water systems, essential for a resilient future. Abu Dhabi’s pioneering initiatives in establishing this new cluster will foster collaboration and drive the development of transformative technologies in this sector.”
By 2045, AGWA is expected to contribute AED 90 billion in incremental GDP to Abu Dhabi’s economy, create 62,000 new jobs, and attract AED 128 billion in investments.