Under the patronage of the Ministry of Economy, the Future Food Forum 2025 brought together leaders and innovators to shape the next chapter of the UAE’s food ecosystem. Among them was Rami Habbal, CEO of GS1 UAE, who joined a high-level panel discussion on the role of food clusters in driving the nation’s food security and innovation agenda.

During the discussion, Rami Habbal highlighted how GS1-powered QR Codes are unlocking new possibilities for the food sector through traceability, transparency, and innovation. He emphasized that these next-generation barcodes are fully scannable at the point of sale, enabling end-to-end product traceability — from manufacturer to end consumer. This shift directly addresses the demands of a new generation of consumers who expect complete transparency and instant access to product information.

These advancements are linked to the UAE’s wider vision, particularly the launch of the UAE Food Cluster, the first national cluster to be approved under the UAE’s Cluster Strategy by the Prime Minister’s Office just last week.

“The UAE’s decision to launch the UAE Food Cluster as its first economic cluster is a powerful signal of our nation’s commitment to food security and sustainable growth. This cluster is already shaping a dynamic ecosystem where innovation, investment, and collaboration come together to drive real impact. From fostering agritech research and advancing food traceability, to promoting local manufacturing, reducing food waste, and empowering SMEs — the UAE Food Cluster is creating opportunities that will define the future of our food sector.” — Rami Habbal, CEO of GS1 UAE

He further noted that GS1 UAE is proud to contribute to this vision by enabling the food cluster through digitalization, traceability, and transparency — the backbone of a smarter, safer, and more resilient food ecosystem.

“The dialogue underscored a key truth: when stakeholders align around shared ambitions, innovation scales faster and impact runs deeper. The journey ahead is about turning shared vision into collective action, positioning the UAE as a world-class hub for food innovation,” said Rami Habbal.

At GS1 UAE, we remain committed to supporting the UAE Food Cluster through solutions that empower businesses, strengthen consumer trust, and build a globally competitive food ecosystem.