Future Food Forum 2024 – Dubai Leading Innovation and Sustainability in F&B

The Future Food Forum 2024 is poised to be a transformative event for the food and beverage (F&B) sector in the Middle East and beyond. Set for October 2-3 at the Le Meridien Dubai Hotel and Conference Centre, the forum will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, academia, and innovators to shape the trajectory of the food industry. This year’s theme centers around “Future Consumer, Future Government, and Future Food,” signifying a holistic approach to the future of food innovation, government policy, and consumer trends.

Future Food Forum 2024: Food Innovation

The UAE Food & Beverage Business Group, in partnership with the UAE Ministry of Economy and the Dubai Chamber, is organizing the Future Food Forum 2024. The UAE has consistently demonstrated its commitment to leading the global conversation on food security, innovation, and sustainability. In recent years, the region has become a hub for advancing food technology (FoodTech), sustainable agriculture, and nutrition, positioning itself as a frontrunner in addressing global food challenges.

Key to this transformation is the UAE’s goal of increasing its food sector’s contribution to GDP by $10 billion and creating 20,000 jobs, in line with the country’s economic development and agricultural transformation plans. The forum will also explore the GCC’s food and beverage market growth, which is projected to reach USD 128.2 billion by 2029. This growth potential is linked to regional advancements in food technology, manufacturing, and sustainable practices, making the Future Food Forum a pivotal event for shaping the future of the region’s food industry.

Agenda Highlights

Over the years, the Future Food Forum has played a significant role in driving policy changes and fostering collaboration between the government, industry leaders, and academia. This year, the forum’s agenda will focus on several pressing topics including sustainability, circular economy, extended producer responsibility (EPR), digital transformation, and the growing demand for “free-from” food products. These discussions are aimed at finding innovative solutions to industry challenges while driving sustainable growth in the F&B sector.

In 2023, the cluster strategy was launched by the UAE Minister of Economy, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, during the forum to align government policies with industry needs and to ensure a sustainable food future for the UAE. This strategy remains a central theme of the forum in 2024, serving as a framework for boosting local food production, fostering technological innovation, and ensuring food security.

Policy workshops at the event will serve as a platform for brainstorming and formulating actionable strategies for the food sector. By focusing on cross-sector collaboration, the UAE aims to leverage the forum to not only strengthen its position as a leader in sustainable food solutions but also as an incubator for emerging FoodTech innovations.

Features of Future Food Forum 2024

The Future Food Forum 2024 will also be the stage for unveiling cutting-edge technologies that promise to revolutionize the food sector. Notably, the introduction of the “Foodverse,” a metaverse-based virtual platform, will provide a digital space for networking, product presentations, and B2B meetings, making the forum more immersive and accessible to a global audience. This move toward virtual interaction is in line with the UAE’s push for digital transformation across various industries and aligns with global trends in the adoption of metaverse technologies for business development.

Another significant feature of the event is the return of the “Free From Food Dubai” exhibition, which will be co-located with the forum. This exhibition will highlight innovations in “free-from” food categories, including organic, vegan, functional, and healthy ingredient products. Given the rising consumer demand for healthier and more sustainable food options, this exhibition will provide a crucial platform for stakeholders to explore trends and develop solutions catering to this growing market segment.

Spotlight on Panel Discussions

The Future Food Forum 2024 will host a range of panel discussions that will shed light on the most pressing topics within the F&B sector. As one of the key sponsors and founding partners, the IFFCO Group, a leading UAE-based multinational, will share its insights on innovation and sustainability within the food industry. IFFCO executives will participate in two key panel discussions:

• “Securing Our Future: Food Security in a Changing Climate” – Highlighting the challenges of climate change and food security, this session will discuss sustainable solutions for the future. Abdul Jabbar, the Chief Executive Officer for Oils & Fats CIS, Afghanistan & Somalia Projects at IFFCO, will provide insights on this crucial topic.
• “Redefining Supply Chains: E-Commerce and Quick Commerce Innovations” – As the world sees a shift towards e-commerce and quick commerce, this session will delve into innovations in supply chain management and how technology is shaping consumer experiences. Melahat Yildirim, Chief Procurement Officer at IFFCO, will lead this discussion.

These panel sessions underscore the forum’s focus on sustainable supply chains, food security, and technological innovations that are integral to the future of the F&B sector.

UAE’s Commitment to Sustainability

The UAE’s focus on sustainability, food security, and innovation forms the foundation of the Future Food Forum 2024. The forum aims to create a dynamic ecosystem that drives positive change in the global food landscape. By leveraging economies of scale and fostering cross-sector collaboration, the UAE aspires to become a global leader in food innovation, addressing challenges like sustainable food production, resource optimization, and climate change.

Government Collaboration

Bridging the gap between industry stakeholders, government representatives, and academia, the Future Food Forum provides a platform for meaningful dialogue. This year’s edition builds on the “seven key pillars” outlined by the UAE government to increase the F&B sector’s contribution to the national economy, ensure food security, and promote sustainable practices.

Saleh Lootah, Chairman of the UAE Food & Beverage Business Group, emphasizes the forum’s role in fostering collaboration: “Future Food Forum continues to serve as a platform for collaboration in the future of the food industry. This year’s edition is even bigger and hosts key stakeholders from the public and private sectors, across the food manufacturing, supply chain, and food-tech sectors, to build on the key pillars announced by the UAE government.”

The Future of Food Innovation

The Future Food Forum 2024 is not just a networking event; it’s a significant platform for shaping policies, introducing technological innovations, and fostering sustainable practices within the global F&B sector. With its agenda aimed at addressing the most pertinent challenges faced by the industry, the forum is set to influence the food sector’s future direction in the UAE and beyond. Whether it’s through policy discussions, technology showcases, or partnerships with stakeholders like IFFCO Group, the forum will play a pivotal role in redefining the future of food.

Attendees and participants can expect a highly engaging experience, from innovative discussions to the unveiling of groundbreaking food technologies. The event’s comprehensive approach to tackling the industry’s challenges, while simultaneously fostering innovation, positions it as a crucial step toward a sustainable, secure, and technologically advanced future for food.

The Future Food Forum 2024 is more than a conference – it’s an ecosystem that brings together leaders from all facets of the food industry. By fostering discussions on sustainability, innovation, and global trends, the forum will undoubtedly shape the future of food in the UAE and the broader Middle East region.