UAE Food Bank and DP World Foundation Strengthen Food Security with “Sustainable Goodness” Initiative to Redistribute Abandoned Shipments
Collaborative Effort to Combat Food Waste
Dubai, United Arab Emirates – The UAE Food Bank and the DP World Foundation have officially launched the “Sustainable Goodness” initiative, a strategic partnership aimed at addressing food waste by recovering abandoned food shipments at Jebel Ali Port. This initiative is being executed in collaboration with Dubai Municipality, Dubai Customs, and DP World, and it seeks to redistribute these shipments to beneficiaries while adhering to approved health and food safety standards.
The partnership was formalized through a cooperation agreement signed in the presence of key stakeholders, including H.E. Eng. Marwan Ahmed Bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality; H.E. Abdulla Bin Damithan, Chairman of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation; and H.E. Dr. Abdulla Busenad, Director General of Dubai Customs, among others.
Mechanisms for Redistribution
The initiative will facilitate the identification and management of abandoned food shipments at Jebel Ali Port, particularly those whose owners opt not to complete customs clearance procedures. A coordinated framework has been established to streamline the release of these shipments, assess their suitability for consumption, and transfer eligible products to the UAE Food Bank for redistribution through its humanitarian network.
This collaboration is designed to simplify release procedures and reduce costs and processing times for companies that voluntarily relinquish ownership of eligible food shipments. By donating these goods, companies can support the UAE Food Bank’s various programs and initiatives.
Statements from Key Officials
Latifa Al Qamzi, Director General of the DP World Foundation, emphasized the initiative’s role in promoting sustainability and humanitarian impact. She noted that the collaboration among key partners in the food, logistics, customs, and regulatory sectors creates a practical mechanism to reduce food waste and redirect resources to communities in need.
Dr. Naseem Mohammed Rafee, Acting CEO of the Environment, Health and Safety Agency at Dubai Municipality, highlighted the initiative as a pioneering step toward preserving food resources. She affirmed that Dubai Municipality will provide the necessary technical and regulatory support to ensure compliance with health and safety standards before food shipments are transferred to the UAE Food Bank.
Shehab Mohammed Al Jasmi, Chief Commercial Officer of Ports and Terminals at DP World GCC, remarked on the initiative’s potential to enhance the logistics sector’s role in sustainability and social responsibility. He stated that the partnership exemplifies how collaboration between government entities and the private sector can effectively reduce food waste and improve supply chain efficiency.
Commitment to Food Security
Mansour Al Malik, Executive Director of the Policy and Legislation Division at Dubai Customs, reiterated the importance of collaboration in humanitarian efforts. He noted that the Sustainable Goodness initiative reflects Dubai Customs’ commitment to supporting the UAE’s charitable ecosystem and enhancing food security through sustainable solutions.
Manal Bin Yarouf, Head of the Executive Team at the UAE Food Bank Foundation, described the initiative as an innovative model of institutional collaboration. She emphasized its role in preventing eligible abandoned food shipments from becoming waste and redirecting them toward humanitarian purposes.
Future Initiatives and Awareness Campaigns
Under the agreement, the partners will also engage in awareness initiatives aimed at promoting responsible consumption and reducing food waste. They plan to explore opportunities to showcase the initiative’s achievements through various local and international sustainability platforms, reinforcing its contribution to food security and sustainable development.
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Published on 2026-06-07 13:11:00 • By the Editorial Desk
