Recent regional supply disruptions have put the UAE’s food security strategy to the test, underscoring the importance of resilience across the food ecosystem, industry leaders said during the Future Food Forum 2026, held between 29-30 September.
Under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism and hosted by the UAE Food & Beverage Business Group (FBMG) and the UAE Food Cluster, the Forum brought together more than 750 CEOs from across the global food value chain, as it returned at Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre.
Opening the 8th edition of the Forum, H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, highlighted the importance of food security and supply resilience against the backdrop of the ongoing regional uncertainty. Delivering his opening remarks, he said: “Food security remains central to national policy and is critical to the vision that the nation has set,” highlighting the role of the food and beverage sector in maintaining resilient food supply chains.
He added: “We need to diversify our capacity and our sources,” highlighting the UAE’s evolution into “a resilience economy,” underpinned by stronger domestic production, more robust supply chains and a continued focus on ensuring food security amid regional uncertainty.
Speaking at the Forum Saleh Lootah, Chairman of the UAE Food Cluster & Future Food Hub, said: “The change happening across our sector is monumental, led by a strong spirit of collaboration. The UAE Food Cluster serves as a mechanism for such collective progress. Through convenings such as the Future Food Forum, the sector strives to minimize the challenges across the value chain, so the sector can move faster and grow bigger and move together as one. We are here to co-create what the future of our sector will look like.”
The opening sessions also included remarks from Amath Pathe Sene, Managing Director of the Africa Food System Forum, who addressed cooperation between Africa and the UAE on shared food security priorities.
The Forum covered a wide range of themes shaping the sector’s future, including resilient food systems, global food supply chains, industrial efficiency and circular production, climate volatility, digital traceability and food-safety regulation.
The Future Food Forum is presented by Food Tech Valley; in partnership with Dubai Economy and Tourism; Founding Partners included Nestlé and IFFCO; Platinum Partners included PepsiCo, Al Islami Foods, Tilda and Almarai; Abu Dhabi Food Hub was the Supply Chain Partner; DP World was the Trade Enabling Partner. Strategic Partners include National CSR Fund Majra, Ne’ma and ICCA. APCO was the Strategic Communications Partner for the event.
