Date: 16 Oct, 2026
World Food Day 2026 | 16 October
Innovation today… safer food tomorrow
From innovation to investment… and from investment to impact
At the Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development, we believe that food security is not achieved through production alone. It also requires investment in a food system that can innovate, adapt, create value, and strengthen access to markets.
We invest in solutions that help build a safer and more sustainable food future.
Statement by H.E. Dr. Obaid Saif Hamad Al Zaabi
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development (AAAID)
On the Occasion of World Food Day 2026
“Innovation does not achieve its true impact simply when an idea succeeds, but when that idea is transformed into a practical, scalable solution that reaches those who need it.”
Reflecting this vision, H.E. Dr. Obaid Saif Hamad Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development (AAAID), emphasized that the world today possesses advanced capabilities in science, technology, and knowledge that can help address many of the challenges facing food systems. However, the real value of these capabilities emerges when they are effectively connected to finance, markets, infrastructure, skills, and partnerships, enabling promising solutions to evolve into scalable applications.
The next phase requires strengthening our ability to translate innovation, knowledge, and technology into investable opportunities and practical solutions that deliver measurable impact. This must be supported by the development of business and financing models that enable producers and enterprises across food value chains to grow and thrive.
At the Authority, we view food security as an integrated ecosystem that extends beyond production to encompass value chains, processing, logistics, markets, and finance. From this perspective, we believe that investment in innovation—when combined with knowledge, partnerships, and scalability—can contribute to building food systems that are more efficient, resilient, and sustainable.
