Launching at Gulfood 2026, the inaugural Gulfood World Economy Summit will be the global command centre for food security, trade diplomacy, and economic resilience. Over four decisive days, it will convene ministers, policymakers, CEOs, global institutions, and industry visionaries to confront the forces reshaping how nations source, secure, and stabilise their food futures. With food systems now central to the UNFSS+4 and COP30 agendas, the Summit will tackle the urgent need for transparent, climate-smart, cyber-resilient value chains that can withstand volatility and deliver long-term security.
Hear from the Leaders Shaping National Strategy and Market Resilience
Wasantha Samarasinghe
Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development
Government of Sri Lanka
United Arab Emirates
Shri Abhishek Dev
Chairman
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)
India
Johannes Monodowafa Mashaba
Strategic Advisor to the Minister; Office of the Minister of Agriculture
Republic of South Africa
South Africa
Jayen Sharadchandra Mehta
Managing Director
Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) Limited – AMUL
India
Mary Gukasyan
Managing Director, Middle East and Africa
The Kraft Heinz Company
United Arab Emirates
Abdullah Zeini Jefri
Division Director
GCC International Finance Corporation - World Bank Group
United Arab Emirates
Irene Madeje Mlola
Director General
Cereals and Other Produce Regulatory Authority (COPRA)
Tanzania, United Republic of
Grace S. Thomson
AI Policy Clinic Director
Center for AI and Digital Policy (CAIDP), UAE/ USA
United States
Erin Grover
Carbon Expert
World Economic Forum - Working Group for Carbon & Blockchain
United Arab Emirates
Khalid AlJarwan AlShamsi
Executive Vice President - Commercial & Corporate Services Sector
Dubai Chambers
United Arab Emirates
Rebecca McLaughlin - Eastham
Independent TV Anchor, Euronews (Former CNBC & Bloomberg)
-
United Arab Emirates
Explore Key Themes at the Summit
Positioning food systems at the core of global security and multilateral cooperation, linking trade, climate, and stability agendas.
Exploring the impact of changing trade flows, regional chokepoints, and strategic stockholding and the hedging strategies shaping global food security and supply resilience.
Building transparent, circular, and climate-smart value chains to withstand shocks and meet sustainability commitments.
Driving transformation toward low-carbon, regenerative food systems that respect planetary boundaries and deliver on COP30 commitments.
Integrating food system pathways with national climate plans (NDCs/NAPs), national food security strategies and global frameworks for harmonized action
Mobilizing capital for innovation, infrastructure, and inclusive growth through blended finance and impact investment.
Leveraging AI, digital MRV, and blockchain for traceability, compliance, and consumer confidence in food systems.
We're sorry, but we couldn't find any results that match your search criteria. Please try again with different keywords or filters.
Loading
12:00
-
North Pavilion10 mins
- Gulfood World Economy Summit
Global food systems are at a crossroads. Technology and infrastructure are no longer optional—they are the backbone of resilience. From digital platforms that optimize production to smart logistics th ...
12:10
-
North Pavilion65 mins
- Gulfood World Economy Summit
Economic gravity is shifting. A strategic dialogue on cross-border trade reform, tariff optimization, food logistics, and building investment-ready agri-food hubs. This session explores impacts from t ...Speakers
13:00
-
North Pavilion50 mins
- Gulfood World Economy Summit
As global economic gravity shifts toward the Global South and new trade corridors across Asia and Africa emerge, the rules of engagement in food security are being rewritten. With increasing investmen ...Speakers
13:50
-
North Pavilion50 mins
- Gulfood World Economy Summit
The race to decarbonize food systems is on. Circular food systems, green supply chains, decarbonization strategies, and climate-smart agriculture leads to sustainable food practices. This panel explor ...
14:40
-
North Pavilion50 mins
- Gulfood World Economy Summit
Artificial intelligence is transforming the food industry — from farm to fork. As global food systems undergo strong impacts from climate change, shifting consumer preferences, and supply chain disrup ...Speakers
15:30
-
North Pavilion50 mins
- Gulfood World Economy Summit
Global megatrends shaping the food industry to 2035: This panel focuses on food innovations and trends leading the industry and the critical steps for thriving in an evolving ecosystem. A power packed ...Speakers
16:20
-
North Pavilion10 mins
- Gulfood World Economy Summit
What strategic imperatives will shape the 2026 food ecosystem and dominate boardroom agendas amid persistent geopolitical shocks and trade realignments? This session synthesizes today’s insights and e ...
08:30
-
North Pavilion30 mins
- Gulfood World Economy Summit
09:00
-
North Pavilion5 mins
- Gulfood World Economy Summit
09:05
-
North Pavilion15 mins
- Gulfood World Economy Summit
This session offers an in-depth overview of Dubai’s dynamic F&B sector, presenting thelatest updates, key figures, and market insights that define its growth. It will highlightemerging trends, investm ...
09:20
-
North Pavilion20 mins
- Gulfood World Economy Summit
Gain exclusive insights from a leading F&B industry executive on how Dubai’s integratedecosystem is enabling growth, innovation, and global competitiveness across the food valuechain. This session wil ...
09:40
-
North Pavilion50 mins
- Gulfood World Economy Summit
A series of one-to-one meetings offering practical guidance and strategic advice to:International companies exploring business establishment and investment opportunitiesin DubaiDubai-based businesses ...
12:00
-
North Pavilion10 mins
- Gulfood World Economy Summit
Global food systems are at a crossroads. Technology and infrastructure are no longer optional—they are the backbone of resilience. From digital platforms that optimize production to smart logistics th ...
12:10
-
North Pavilion55 mins
- Gulfood World Economy Summit
Food systems demand infrastructure that can adapt as fast as global challenges evolve. This panel explores the latest strategies on building infrastructure that is not only sustainable but also future ...Speakers
13:05
-
North Pavilion45 mins
- Gulfood World Economy Summit
• How do we craft policy that really works?• Are plastic alternatives better?• Plastic “pollution” – what is it and how do we prevent it?• Microplastics - imminent danger or storm in a teacup?
13:50
-
North Pavilion45 mins
- Gulfood World Economy Summit
This session will help to build connections between fresh produce stakeholders and the global export marketsKey Topics• Export-focused discussions with buyers in key international markets to help loca ...Speakers
14:35
-
North Pavilion50 mins
- Gulfood World Economy Summit
The global agriculture and food industry depend critically on capital to continue expanding production and infrastructure and financing global trade. Capital is also key to accelerate the development ...Speakers
15:25
-
North Pavilion30 mins
- Gulfood World Economy Summit
The future of food isn’t just about innovation. It’s about trust and transparency powered by technology. In this candid conversation, two industry visionaries will explore how AI, blockchain, and digi ...
15:55
-
North Pavilion5 mins
- Gulfood World Economy Summit
Today’s discussions underscored how technology and infrastructure are not just enablers but catalysts for resilient, future-proof food systems. With no collaboration across sectors, innovation and sca ...
12:00
-
North Pavilion5 mins
- Gulfood World Economy Summit
A brief introduction to India’s Partner Country profile, the scale of participation across two venues, and the importance of India – UAE food trade relations.
12:05
-
North Pavilion10 mins
- Gulfood World Economy Summit
12:25
-
North Pavilion30 mins
- Gulfood World Economy Summit
This fireside captures the strategic depth of India-UAE cooperation and sets the stage for export-focused discussions.Key Topics:• Strengthening bilateral food trade under CEPA• Ensuring reliable, hig ...
12:55
-
North Pavilion10 mins
- Gulfood World Economy Summit
13:05
-
North Pavilion50 mins
- Gulfood World Economy Summit
This panel brings together the companies shaping India’s biggest export success stories.Key Topics:• Evolving from commodity-driven exports to premium, branded, and value-added categories• Consumer pr ...Speakers
13:55
-
North Pavilion5 mins
- Gulfood World Economy Summit
14:00
-
North Pavilion5 mins
- Gulfood World Economy Summit
The global F&B landscape is evolving at unprecedented speed. New market frontiers are opening, and consumer expectations are shifting toward health, sustainability, and unique experiences. To thrive i ...
14:05
-
North Pavilion15 mins
- Gulfood World Economy Summit
Discover how South Africa's agricultural exports are uniquely positioned to thrive and innovate in the dynamic Gulf region, unlocking new frontiers for growth
14:15
-
North Pavilion45 mins
- Gulfood World Economy Summit
Manufacturers are recalibrating for the next demand wave across, EMEA, Africa, Americas, South Asia — where population growth, urbanization, and evolving retail formats are reshaping category mix and ...Speakers
15:10
-
North Pavilion50 mins
- Gulfood World Economy Summit
Consumers are making values‑driven and value‑for‑money choices simultaneously, trading up to functional and premium on some occasions while trading down or private label in others. Key topics:• Portfo ...
16:00
-
North Pavilion55 mins
- Gulfood World Economy Summit
This masterclass offers a concise, accessible framework for understanding the psychological, cultural, and behavioral factors that influence public and market acceptance of innovation—while moving bey ...
16:35
-
North Pavilion10 mins
- Gulfood World Economy Summit
Today’s discussions have illuminated the immense opportunities and challenges shaping the future of food and beverage. From unlocking growth in frontier markets to redefining consumer value, scaling r ...
12:00
-
North Pavilion60 mins
- Gulfood World Economy Summit
Food fraud in its various forms is on the rise and is predicted to increase significantly in the future and this could present a real threat to you and your business at any point in the food supply ch ...
13:00
-
North Pavilion60 mins
- Gulfood World Economy Summit
Integrating clean and sustainable proteins into the manufacturing and culinary sector. Consumers are increasingly seeking clean-label and high-protein, plant-based foods that deliver on taste, texture ...
14:00
-
North Pavilion60 mins
- Gulfood World Economy Summit
Climate regulations are often seen as threats. This workshop flips the script by treating regulation as a competitive advantage. We will design an “Enabling Market Agreement” where clear government ru ...