29–30 September 2026
The Annual Strategic Conference
of the UAE Food Ecosystem
Future Food Forum 2026
Together Towards Food Resilience Uniting the UAE Food Ecosystem for Preparedness, Partnership & Progress
The UAE’s flagship annual platform where policymakers, industry leaders, manufacturers, academia, investors, logistics providers, innovators, and strategic stakeholders come together to shape the future of food resilience.
Represented
2026 Brochure
Post Event Report (FF2025)
Post Event Report (FF2025)
Entering its eighth edition, Future Food Forum 2026 is the UAE food ecosystem’s premier annual strategic convergence platform — where stakeholders across government, industry, trade, logistics, academia, infrastructure, technology, and investment come together to review progress, align priorities, and strengthen collective preparedness.
Held under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Economy & Tourism, the Forum is led by the UAE Food Cluster and powered by every ecosystem player — from primary producers and manufacturers to regulators, retailers, innovators, investors, and academia.
More than a conference, Future Food Forum represents the culmination of ongoing ecosystem-wide efforts to strengthen food resilience, support national food security priorities, accelerate partnerships, and shape the future direction of the UAE food sector.
Future Food Forum 2025 Highlights
Relive the highlights.
Future Food Forum 2025 captured the ideas collaborations and sector progress shaping the UAE food ecosystem. These moments reflect the conversations leadership and commitments that defined this year's edition. Experience the Forum through a curated collection of its standout moments.
Future Food Forum 2025 highlights
Relive the highlights.
Future Food Forum 2025 captured the ideas collaborations and sector progress shaping the UAE food ecosystem. These moments reflect the conversations leadership and commitments that defined this year’s edition. Experience the Forum through a curated collection of its standout moments.
TOGETHER TOWARDS FOOD RESILIENCE
The future of food security cannot be shaped in silos.
This year’s theme reflects the UAE Food Cluster’s growing role in strengthening national food resilience through collaboration, preparedness, and ecosystem-wide alignment.
As global food systems continue to evolve, Future Food Forum 2026 brings stakeholders together to:
- strengthen strategic partnerships
- improve infrastructure readiness
- accelerate cross-sector collaboration
- align public and private sector priorities
- support resilient supply chains
- strengthen local capability and production
- collectively prepare for future challenges
The Forum serves as a national platform for dialogue, engagement, coordination, and action across the UAE food ecosystem.
Connect with international buyers
at the Elite Buyers Meet
The Elite Buyers Meet, powered by Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, is a dedicated platform at Future Food Forum 2025 linking manufacturers, suppliers, and traders with senior decision makers from 40+ countries. Through curated meetings and targeted networking, participants can secure export opportunities, open new channels, and build lasting partnerships. With qualified buyers representing strong purchasing power across key markets, the Elite Buyers Meet offers a credible gateway to expand business reach and accelerate growth.
WHY FF2026 MATTERS NOW
THE FOOD ECOSYSTEM IS ENTERING A DEFINING PERIOD
Supply chains are evolving.
Consumer behavior is shifting.
Infrastructure readiness is becoming critical.
Regional trade dynamics are changing.
Preparedness and resilience are now strategic priorities.
Future Food Forum 2026 brings together the ecosystem to collectively address these realities and strengthen the UAE’s readiness for the future.
This year’s Forum places greater emphasis on:
- strategic preparedness
- resilience planning
- infrastructure alignment
- public-private collaboration
- regional trade continuity
- capability building
- cross-cluster engagement
- long-term food security readiness
UAE FOOD CLUSTER
Driving the National Food Resilience Agenda
At the heart of Future Food Forum lies the UAE Food Cluster — the national platform driving collaboration across the food ecosystem.
Bringing together stakeholders from manufacturing, logistics, retail, infrastructure, finance, technology, academia, trade, and policy, the Cluster strengthens alignment across sectors to support resilience, preparedness, and sustainable growth.
The Cluster’s role at Future Food Forum includes:
- policy and regulatory dialogue
- CEPA-driven trade engagement
- infrastructure and investment alignment
- industry-academia collaboration
- innovation and manufacturing capability
- SME growth support
- export competitiveness
- ecosystem integration
The Forum showcases the collective progress of the ecosystem while strengthening future direction and long-term national readiness.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
WHAT TO EXPECT AT FF2026
SIX NATIONAL PRIORITIES
ONE CONNECTED AGENDA
two Days
One Unified Platform for Sector Progress
Focused dialogue across policy, production, and talent shaping the region’s food ecosystem.
Voices from the Forum
Mohamed Al Hashemi
CEO
Union Coop
We must be prepared with Plan A, B, and C to manage disruptions, whether driven by COVID-19, the Ukraine crisis, or the Suez Canal blockage. Agility is essential to building lasting resilience.
Arnoud van den Berg
Group CEO
Al Dahra Group
Khuloud Al Nuwais
Secretary General
ne’ma National Steering Committee
Abdulla Al Hashmi
CEO
Parks & Zones DP World GCC
Abdullah Albader
CEO
Almarai
Abdulaziz Albader
Head of Sustainability
Almarai
Melahat Yildirim
Director
Procurement, IFFCO
AI, IoT, and big data are transforming supply chains by streamlining operations, optimizing inventory, and enabling smarter decisions. Real-time insights reduce waste, prevent overstocking, and improve sustainability.Â
WHO ATTENDS
A FORUM FOR CEOs & ECOSYSTEM LEADERS
Future Food Forum 2026 is designed for leaders shaping the future of the UAE food ecosystem.
This is where:
- decisions are influenced
- partnerships are built
- priorities are aligned
- collaboration is strengthened
- future direction is shaped
Attendees Include:
- Ministers & Policymakers
- CEOs & Founders
- Manufacturers
- Retailers & Distributors
- Investors & Financial Institutions
- Logistics & Infrastructure Providers
- Technology Companies
Academia & Researchers - Primary Producers & Farmers
- Trade Organizations
- Strategic Ecosystem Stakeholders
CEPA-Driven Trade Access
Enables smoother entry into global markets through bilateral agreements, regulatory harmonization, and trade facilitation mechanisms.
Infrastructure and Investment Support
Supports manufacturers with access to advanced infrastructure, funding platforms, and national programs to scale production.
National Talent and Innovation Integration
Bridges academia, incubators, and industry to support future-ready workforce development and digital manufacturing capability.
The UAE Food Cluster stands at the center of this year’s Forum agenda, featuring in leadership discussions, technical briefings, and sector showcases. It reflects the country’s long-term vision to build a resilient, competitive, and globally connected food ecosystem.
SPONSORS AND PARTNERS
BUILDING THE FUTURE WORKFORCE OF
THE FOOD ECOSYSTEM
Future Food Forum strengthens collaboration between industry and academia to support:
- workforce development
- capability building
- applied research
- innovation readiness
- talent engagement
- sector knowledge exchange
By connecting practical industry realities with academic expertise, the Forum contributes to building a more resilient and future-ready food ecosystem.
BEYOND THE FOOD SECTOR
THE FUTURE OF FOOD SECURITY CANNOT BE SHAPED IN SILOS
Future Food Forum extends beyond food manufacturing to include every sector enabling food resilience:
- logistics
- transportation
- infrastructure
- storage
- finance
- insurance
- packaging
- trade
- technology
- academia
- public engagement
The Forum creates opportunities for stakeholders to engage both within and across clusters — strengthening collaboration throughout the UAE economy.
Future Food Forum extends beyond food manufacturing to include every sector enabling food resilience:
The Forum creates opportunities for stakeholders to engage both within and across clusters — strengthening collaboration throughout the UAE economy.
A LEGACY OF COLLECTIVE PROGRESS
Over the years, Future Food Forum has evolved into one of the UAE’s most influential food ecosystem platforms.
Milestones:
- 2019 — Founding Edition
- 2022 — Sector Alignment
- 2023 — UAE Food Cluster Launch
- 2024 — FoodVerse & Reforms
- 2025 — Expanded Global Participation
- 2026 — Resilience to Readines
The Forum continues to serve as:
- a platform for dialogue
- a catalyst for partnerships
- a driver of resilience
- a hub for ecosystem collaboration
- a strategic alignment platform for the sector
CONVERSATIONS AT FUTURE FOOD
Listen to the Food Industry Leaders as they share key insights into the evolving food landscape.
BUILT TOGETHER WITH THE ECOSYSTEM
Future Food Forum 2026 is shaped in partnership with government entities, industry leaders, infrastructure providers, logistics partners, academia, financial institutions, technology enablers, and strategic stakeholders driving the UAE Food Cluster forward.
The Forum creates opportunities for:
- strategic visibility
- ecosystem engagement
- cross-sector collaboration
- knowledge leadership
- business matchmaking
- national alignment
TWO DAYS.
ONE ECOSYSTEM.
A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY.
Join policymakers, CEOs, manufacturers, academia, investors, infrastructure leaders, retailers, logistics providers, farmers, innovators, and strategic partners as the UAE food ecosystem comes together to strengthen resilience and shape the future.
FUTURE FOOD FORUM 2026
29–30 September 2026
Grand Hyatt Dubai
REGISTRATION IS OPEN
MENA region's CEO leadership gathering
for
food & beverage manufacturing
EARLY BIRD OFFER
CONFERENCE ONLY
Expires 30 August 2025
Networking Coffee & Lunch
Exhibition Zone Entry
Promotional Collateral
Free to Attend Workshops
Certificate of Attendance
Photos, Videos & Recordings
STANDARD
CONFERENCE ONLY
Networking Coffee & Lunch
Exhibition Zone Entry
Promotional Collateral
Free to Attend Workshops
Certificate of Attendance
Photos, Videos & Recordings
EARLY BIRD OFFER
CONFERENCE + STAY
Single Occupancy
Full Conference Access
2 night stay at Venue hotel
(22-24 September)
Complimentary Breakfast
Networking and VIP Access
Special Welcome Kit
STANDARD
CONFERENCE + STAY
Single Occupancy
Full Conference Access
2 night stay at Venue hotel
(22-24 September)
Complimentary Breakfast
Networking and VIP Access
Special Welcome Kit
EARLY BIRD OFFER
CONFERENCE ONLY
Expires 30 August 2024
Networking Coffee & Lunch
Exhibition Zone Entry
Promotional Collateral
Free to Attend Workshops
Certificate of Attendance
Photos, Videos & Recordings
STANDARD
CONFERENCE ONLY
Networking Coffee & Lunch
Exhibition Zone Entry
Promotional Collateral
Free to Attend Workshops
Certificate of Attendance
Photos, Videos & Recordings
EARLY BIRD OFFER
CONFERENCE + STAY
Single Occupancy
Full Conference Access
2 night stay at Venue hotel
(22-24 September)
Complimentary Breakfast
Networking and VIP Access
Special Welcome Kit
STANDARD
CONFERENCE ONLY
Single Occupancy
Full Conference Access
2 night stay at Venue hotel
(22-24 September)
Complimentary Breakfast
Networking and VIP Access
Special Welcome Kit
Contact Us
- info@futurefoodseries.ae
-
Le Méridien Dubai
Hotel & Conference Centre
Airport Road, Garhoud
Dubai, UAE