Kuwait affirms commitment to food security and safety at regional summit

In a strong reaffirmation of Kuwait’s commitment to public health and sustainable development, Minister of Health Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadhi opened the fourth annual Food Safety and Nutrition Summit by highlighting the country’s tangible progress in enhancing food security and food safety.

Delivering his keynote speech at the two-day summit — jointly organized by the Ministry of Health, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition, and the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait — Dr. Al-Awadhi emphasized that Kuwait has taken serious steps in this direction, including the launch of the National Food Security Strategy and the revision of both imported food lists and school cafeteria regulations, reports Al-Anba daily.

Held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and attended by representatives from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, the summit served as a platform for international cooperation and dialogue. Dr. Al-Awadhi noted that Kuwait’s Public Authority for Food and Nutrition is actively conducting inspection and monitoring campaigns across all governorates to promote a culture of prevention and uphold the highest food safety standards.

He stressed that universal access to safe and nutritious food remains a foundational pillar of sustainable development, both locally and globally. Placing human health and dignity at the center of national policies, he said, aligns with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda, which prioritizes ending hunger, improving nutrition, and advancing sustainable agriculture.

“The summit is a reflection of our shared vision and unified commitment to strengthening food security and human health,” Dr. Al-Awadhi stated, adding that food safety and nutrition are essential for health, economic progress, and social stability.

Drawing from global data, he warned that foodborne diseases continue to pose a serious public health challenge. The World Health Organization estimates that more than 600 million people fall ill each year due to contaminated food, resulting in 420,000 deaths — 125,000 of which are children under five. He called these numbers a “wake-up call,” underscoring the importance of investing in food inspection systems and expert human capital, especially in the Gulf region.

Dr. Al-Awadhi commended the ongoing international cooperation with the United States and other global bodies, which has supported the development of robust food security systems in Kuwait and beyond.

Also speaking at the summit, U.S. Ambassador to Kuwait H.E.Karen Sasahara highlighted the deepening ties between Kuwait and the United States, especially in agriculture and food security. She noted that bilateral trade in this sector reached $275 million last year, part of a $3.6 billion trade volume with the wider GCC.

Ambassador Sasahara emphasized that the U.S. agricultural sector continues to collaborate with Kuwaiti authorities to share technologies and solutions for sustainable agriculture. She praised the summit for creating a platform to align strategies on food safety — “a vital component of public health and long-term food security.”

She also acknowledged that both the U.S. and GCC countries face similar public health challenges, such as obesity, diabetes, and chronic diseases, and underscored the need for collaborative solutions grounded in better nutrition and informed food systems.

The summit will continue with expert panel discussions featuring representatives from the U.S., the UN, and GCC nations. Topics will include national strategies for food security, best practices in food inspection, and the development of sustainable agricultural policies.