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The Emirates News Agency reported on October 3 that Global Food Week 2026 will reinforce its role as a premier platform for collaboration in the food, agriculture and sustainability sectors by hosting prominent global bodies such as the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations and the World Organisation for Animal Health. The week-long event, scheduled for October 6 to 8 at the ADNEC Centre in Abu Dhabi, will draw governments, development institutions, private sector executives, investors, researchers and innovators to tackle critical issues in the global food system. Organisers noted that the gathering will also incorporate the FAO Policy Majlis to facilitate high-level policy discussions on agrifood transformation across the Near East and North Africa region.
Participation from the World Organisation for Animal Health will include its GCC and Africa Workshop, which will assemble experts and policymakers to examine ways to bolster technical cooperation and trade links between the regions. Additionally, the programme will feature YALAFAST, FAO’s youth leadership initiative, designed to equip young participants with skills for advancing sustainable agrifood systems through knowledge sharing and network building. This combination of established international entities and emerging voices underscores the event’s comprehensive approach to addressing food security challenges.
Figures released by the organisers show a significant expansion this year, with 92 countries set to participate, marking a 23 percent increase from the previous edition and including 26 new nations. The exhibition space has grown by 25 percent to approximately 42,000 square metres while the number of exhibitors and brands has climbed 18 percent to 2,580. Last year’s event produced 58 agreements valued at AED 6.6 billion, providing a benchmark for the anticipated outcomes of the 2026 edition.
Running in parallel, the second Global Food Security Summit will focus on shifting food systems from resilience to readiness against future disruptions, convening speakers from 30 countries to explore investment opportunities, technological innovations and policy frameworks. The summit forms a core component of the broader Global Food Week, which organisers describe as an integrated platform spanning exhibitions, business matchmaking and thought leadership sessions. India has been named guest of honour for the 2026 gathering, further elevating its international profile.
The introduction of a business-to-consumer element called Shop at the Show marks a first for the event, enabling direct sales to visitors and providing brands with consumer feedback opportunities. A dedicated honey symposium in collaboration with Apimondia will address sustainable beekeeping practices suited to arid environments, complemented by a field day on the final day of the programme. These additions reflect the organisers’ efforts to broaden engagement beyond traditional trade fairs.
Ahmad Mukhtar, FAO’s subregional coordinator for the GCC states and Yemen, stated that the agency’s partnership with UAE entities stems from a shared commitment to ensuring safe, nutritious and sustainable food for all. He highlighted how the FAO Policy Majlis would deliver global evidence and regional insights to inform discussions throughout the week. Such contributions from multilateral organisations are expected to enrich the dialogue and support concrete outcomes in investment and policy alignment.
