Dutch-Emirati cooperation on seaweed to sustainably improve food security
Dutch-Emirati cooperation on seaweed to sustainably improve food security
Samenvatting
This research aimed to find out how the Netherlands and the UAE can collaborate on seaweed production by using the Dubai Expo to bring both parties together. Seaweed brings a green solution towards the Food Security index pressures felt in the UAE now. These pressures are; water availability, oceans and adaptive capacity to climate change. Since there are many seaweed varieties and they can grow under extreme conditions, this would help the UAE to be more adaptive. Furthermore, seaweed does not need fresh water and acts as a biofilter by taking up excess nutrients. The Netherlands has signed a MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the UAE to collaborate on Food security, but this is currently focusing largely on the greenhouse sector (Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the UAE, 2018). To know how seaweed can be incorporated in the Dubai Expo programme, existing models and tools have been searched in the first sub-question. The Triple Helix, Water-Energy-Food Nexus, the TRBNA methodology for collaboration and the Cultural dimension theory of Hofstede were found. These models cannot be applied literally to this case. Interviews have been taken, which identified core needs of both the UAE side and the Dutch side. The Dutch side needs are classified as cooperation, access to finance, acceleration, green solutions and cultural sensitivity (Table 5). The offers of the Dutch side are green solutions, the wide array of applications of seaweed, government collaboration, acceleration and research and development (Table 6). The needs from the Emirati side are cultural sensitivity, a solution to problems felt by the COVID crisis, a need for food security and knowledge and technology (Table 7). Their offers are; green solutions, business deals, cooperation and shows (Table 8). The Netherlands and the UAE can collaborate on seaweed production by using the Dubai Expo to bring both parties together. Many events are organized at the expo, from which the the ADSW (Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week), Floriade Dialogues, Wageningen Urban Farming challenge and digital events connect the best to seaweed stakeholders. Next steps to be taken are; to form a consortium with seaweed sector representatives, set targets, follow a training in intercultural communication and address the right stakeholders. In this way, the Dubai Expo is used as an international platform to advance green solutions for the Dutch side as well as the Emirati side.
Organisatie | Aeres Hogeschool |
Afdeling | Bedrijfskunde en Agribusiness |
Partner | Aeres University of Applied Sciences Almere |
Datum | 2020-09-04 |
Type | Bachelor |
Taal | Engels |