ADAFSA and Global Academy Partner with Japan to Launch the World’s Largest Land-Based Aquaculture Project in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, UAE - October 21, 2025: In a landmark step toward redefining global food security and sustainable aquaculture, the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) and Global Academy, part of Global Organizations, have signed a Collaboration Agreement to jointly develop the world’s largest land-based aquaculture program in Abu Dhabi.

This historic collaboration represents a major leap forward in the UAE’s mission to achieve long-term food security, climate resilience, and economic diversification through advanced technology and international partnerships. The program will be implemented under the strategic vision of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of ADAFSA, who has championed innovation, sustainability, and cross-border cooperation as key pillars for securing the nation’s food future.

A New Chapter in the UAE’s Food Security Vision

The signing of this Collaboration Agreement marks the beginning of a transformative era in sustainable aquaculture for the UAE and the wider region. Abu Dhabi, recognized globally for its leadership in agricultural innovation and food safety, is taking decisive steps to establish a self-sustaining Blue Economy, one that will ensure national food resilience while contributing to global sustainability goals.

Through this partnership, ADAFSA and Global Academy will build a comprehensive seafood security ecosystem, merging cutting-edge Japanese aquaculture technologies with Abu Dhabi’s infrastructure and environmental stewardship. The initiative will significantly reduce the UAE’s reliance on seafood imports and position the Emirate as a world leader in sustainable seafood exports.

The collaboration draws upon Japan’s leading expertise in aquaculture and biotechnology, integrating decades of research and innovation into a new model tailored to the UAE’s climate and market needs.

Vision and Objectives of the Collaboration Agreement

The partnership between ADAFSA and Global Academy is guided by shared principles of sustainability, innovation, technology transfer, and capacity building. Together, the two institutions aim to establish a pioneering framework that integrates food security, research excellence, and sustainable economic development.

Under this Collaboration Agreement, the strategic objectives are as follows:

• Supporting Sustainable Production and Reducing Dependence on Imports

At the heart of this partnership lies the goal of achieving national seafood self-sufficiency. The initiative will support the sustainable production of high-quality seafood within the UAE by establishing a fully integrated, land-based aquaculture ecosystem. This will significantly reduce the country's reliance on imported fish and seafood, ensuring a steady domestic supply that meets both quality and safety standards. By utilizing advanced technology and efficient resource management, the project will enhance food security while contributing to the long-term sustainability of the nation’s food systems.

• Transferring and Localizing Advanced Aquaculture Technologies from Japan

The collaboration will enable the transfer and localization of cutting-edge Japanese aquaculture technologies including Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS), AI-based water monitoring, and automated feeding and waste management systems. These innovations will be adapted to the UAE’s climatic conditions and operational needs to ensure optimal productivity and environmental efficiency. Through this partnership, Abu Dhabi will become a regional hub for advanced aquaculture practices, setting global benchmarks for sustainable fish farming in arid environments.

• Developing Economically Viable Local Strains Compatible with the UAE Environment and Market Needs

A key focus of the collaboration will be on breeding and developing local fish strains that are both environmentally adaptable and commercially viable. The project will combine Japanese genetic expertise with local ecological knowledge to create fish species optimized for the UAE’s water and temperature conditions. This effort will help ensure that local production not only meets domestic demand but also aligns with market preferences for taste, quality, and sustainability.

• Building Research Partnerships with Japanese Institutions

Research and innovation form the backbone of this collaboration. ADAFSA and Global Academy will partner with leading Japanese research universities, marine science institutes, and technology centers to drive continuous R&D in aquaculture biotechnology, genetics, feed optimization, and water management. These partnerships will foster knowledge exchange between Emirati and Japanese experts, positioning Abu Dhabi as a center for innovation and excellence in sustainable aquaculture science.

• Training National Cadres Across the Aquaculture Value Chain

Human capital development is a cornerstone of the program. Through specialized training programs, workshops, and academic collaborations, Emirati professionals and youth will gain hands-on expertise across all stages of aquaculture from hatchery operations and water management to feed formulation, processing, and international trade. This will empower the next generation of UAE specialists and entrepreneurs to lead the nation’s growing Blue Economy, while contributing to knowledge-based economic growth.

• Establishing an Integrated Production, Processing, and Export System 

The collaboration envisions a comprehensive system that integrates the entire seafood value chain covering hatcheries, feed production, grow-out farms, processing units, packaging, and export logistics. This seamless integration will enable Abu Dhabi to transition from being an importer to a global exporter of premium, sustainably produced seafood. The system will meet international food safety standards and serve as a model for efficient, technology-driven seafood production and distribution.

• Establishing a Resilient and Sustainable Knowledge-Based Ecosystem Supporting Food Security and the Blue Economy

Ultimately, the Collaboration Agreement seeks to build a resilient, knowledge-driven ecosystem that strengthens the UAE’s long-term food security while contributing to global Blue Economy objectives. This ecosystem will integrate innovation, education, environmental protection, and economic opportunity creating a circular and sustainable model that can be replicated across other regions facing similar climatic and food security challenges.

Building the World’s Largest Land-Based Aquaculture Ecosystem

The Collaboration Agreement lays the foundation for a fully integrated seafood ecosystem that will reinforce Abu Dhabi’s status as a global hub for sustainable aquaculture. The program encompasses the following components:

• Advanced Hatcheries State of the art hatcheries will produce disease-resistant, high-performance fingerlings, ensuring the highest growth rates and genetic quality across multiple species adapted to the local environment.

• Fish Feed Production Facilities Locally manufactured, scientifically formulated feed will strengthen food quality, improve growth performance, and ensure stable local supply chains, reducing dependence on imported feed ingredients.

• Land-Based RAS Farms Highly advanced Recirculating Aquaculture Systems, equipped with AI-driven environmental control, will enable year-round seafood production in desert conditions. These systems will optimize oxygen levels, temperature, and biosecurity, ensuring sustainable yields with minimal environmental impact.

• Processing and Value-Addition Units Modern seafood processing and packaging facilities will create high-value, export ready products compliant with global standards, contributing to Abu Dhabi’s reputation for quality and innovation.

• Cold Chain and Logistics Infrastructure An integrated cold-chain and logistics network will maintain product freshness and traceability from production to market, enabling seamless domestic distribution and international export.

Together, these components will create a complete seafood security ecosystem, a model that unites production, processing, research, logistics, and education within a single, sustainable framework.

Empowering Innovation Through Global Collaboration

The Global Academy, representing the Global Organizations’ knowledge and innovation arm, brings extensive expertise in international R&D collaboration, sustainability strategy, and technology integration. In partnership with Japan’s top research institutions and industrial partners, the Academy will establish a platform for continuous learning, innovation, and development of next-generation aquaculture technologies.

Professor Tomihiro Taniguchi, Chairman of the Global Security Council and a two-time Nobel Peace Prize representative for the United Nations, highlighted the global importance of this collaboration:

“This partnership is more than an agreement, it is a vision for a better future. By combining Abu Dhabi’s leadership with Japan’s scientific excellence, we are creating a model for the world one that ensures food security through innovation, education, and environmental responsibility.”

A Model for the Future of the Blue Economy

The Collaboration Agreement forms a central pillar in Abu Dhabi’s broader mission to foster a resilient, knowledge-driven Blue Economy. Once operational, the program will provide fresh, locally produced seafood to meet national demand while exporting premium sustainable products globally.

It is projected to create thousands of jobs, stimulate regional supply chains, and serve as a catalyst for innovation in biotechnology, engineering, and environmental management. Moreover, the project will offer new educational and research pathways for universities and vocational institutions, strengthening the UAE’s position as a regional leader in sustainability and science.

By 2030, the initiative is expected to produce over 90,000 metric tons of seafood annually, making it the largest land-based aquaculture operation worldwide. It will serve as a global demonstration of how arid-region nations can achieve food independence through advanced technologies, partnerships, and environmental stewardship.