I would like to extend my thanks to the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research for organizing this conference, and for raising such important topics relevant to the lives of citizens in all of the countries in the Arabian Gulf region.

The agricultural sector is undergoing significant development in the member states of the FAO Sub-regional Office for the Gulf Cooperation Council States and Yemen (SNG). Besides being an important economic activity, agriculture is a way of life which people depend upon to provide a living. The agricultural sector accounts for around three percent of total GDP in the GCC countries, and 19 percent of the population work in related economic activities in this sector. In general, agriculture plays a pivotal role in economic development and in achieving social stability and security.

By increasing production and added value, developing marketing and manufacturing, and providing employment opportunities, agriculture also helps in achieving food security and family and social stability, combating poverty and unemployment, curbing migration to urban areas, and preventing a number of social, economic and security problems.

Food security faces huge challenges, as the world's population is expected to rise from 7 to 9 billion by 2050. Furthermore, prices in emerging economies will force poorer sections of society to spend 50% of their income on food, and global demand for food will increase significantly.