The UAE Food & Beverage Business Group (F&B Group), under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Economy and in strategic partnership with the Dubai Chamber, is set to host the Future Food Forum 2024 on October 2nd and 3rd. This highly anticipated event will gather key industry stakeholders, government representatives, and academia to explore cutting-edge technologies, sustainable practices, and collaborative strategies driving the future of food production. As the UAE continues to solidify its position as a global leader in food innovation and sustainability, the Forum aims to address the pressing challenges and opportunities within the food and beverage sector.
Highlighting UAE’s Food Ecosystem Transformation
The Future Food Forum 2024 will focus on the theme “Future Consumer, Future Government, and Future Food,” reflecting the UAE’s strategic goals for its food and agricultural sector. The event will feature high-level policy workshops and discussions on topics such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), the circular economy, sustainability in manufacturing, and international trade agreements like CEPA. These discussions aim to foster a dynamic ecosystem through cross-sector collaboration and leverage economies of scale to position the UAE as a global leader in the food and beverage industry.
One of the key highlights of the Forum is the introduction of the “Foodverse,” a metaverse-based virtual platform designed specifically for the food sector. This innovative digital environment promises to revolutionize B2B meetings, product presentations, and networking opportunities, offering participants a new and immersive way to engage in the future of food. The Forum will also feature FoodTech Valley as an organizing partner, with support from the Abu Dhabi Food Hub and DP World, further emphasizing the UAE’s commitment to driving innovation in the food sector.
Driving Policy Change and Innovation
Over the years, the Future Food Forum has established itself as a pivotal platform for driving policy change within the food and beverage sector. By serving as a bridge between government, policymakers, and industry leaders, the Forum facilitates meaningful dialogue on the future agenda for the food sector. This year’s event will continue this tradition, focusing on emerging topics such as sustainability and green practices in manufacturing, digital transformation and governance, and the growing importance of “free from” products and nutrition.
The Forum’s agenda includes several dynamic, high-level policy workshops aimed at addressing the pressing challenges and opportunities within the industry. These workshops will provide a platform for stakeholders to share best practices, develop strategies, and collaborate on innovative solutions to drive the future of food production. By fostering a collaborative environment, the Forum aims to create a sustainable and resilient food ecosystem that can meet the growing demand for innovative food solutions.
Enhancing the UAE’s Global Leadership in Food Innovation
The Future Food Forum 2024 is set to further boost the UAE’s efforts to solidify its position as a global leader in food innovation and sustainability. With the GCC food and beverage sector expected to continue growing to reach a market value of US$128.2 billion by 2029, the Forum’s focus on driving the UAE’s cluster strategy is more relevant than ever. The strategy, launched last year by the UAE Minister of Economy, H.E. Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, aims to increase the UAE food sector’s contribution to GDP by US$10 billion and create 20,000 jobs.
By bringing together key industry stakeholders, government representatives, and academia, the Future Food Forum 2024 will facilitate meaningful dialogue and collaboration on the future of the food sector. The event’s emphasis on innovation, sustainability, and policy change will help shape the future of food production and ensure that the UAE remains at the forefront of global food innovation. As the UAE continues to drive its food and agricultural transformation roadmap, the Future Food Forum will play a crucial role in achieving the country’s economic goals and enhancing its global leadership in the food and beverage industry.