7th Future Food Forum 2025 Begins in Dubai

The 7th Future Food Forum 2025 officially commenced in Dubai, convening key stakeholders from governments, businesses, and academia to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities in the global food system. With a strong focus on food security, sustainability, and trade, the event aims to foster regional and global partnerships, particularly across the Global South, to advance food resilience through innovation and policy reform.

Forum Objectives & Focus Areas

This year’s theme revolves around building resilient food ecosystems, with discussions anchored on,

• Technology integration in agriculture and food processing
• Sustainable practices across the supply chain
• Cross-border trade cooperation via Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs)
• Supporting SMEs and their inclusion in global food exports
• Global best practices in agri-tech and consumer health trends

UAE’s Role & Vision

• The UAE has set ambitious targets to increase the contribution of its food sector from $8.1 billion to $10.9 billion, reflecting its strategic push to become a regional food innovation hub.
• However, the forum’s emphasis extended beyond UAE-centric goals to encompass regional cooperation, especially across Africa, South Asia, and Latin America, where food systems remain vulnerable to climate change and trade disruptions.

Key Themes Discussed

1. Impact of CEPAs

Participants examined how Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements are unlocking new markets for food manufacturing, logistics, and agri-exports. These agreements are helping,

• Reduce tariffs and regulatory barriers
• Boost agri-food trade flows
• Enable SMEs to participate in global supply chains
• Foster regional food corridors

2. Sustainable Proteins & Consumer Trends

Panels discussed the rise of plant-based, insect-based, and lab-grown proteins as sustainable alternatives. Consumer demands are shifting towards,

• Nutrient-rich, low-carbon foods
• Transparent farm-to-fork traceability
• Ethical sourcing and animal welfare

3. Agri-Tech and Food Innovation

Agri-tech was spotlighted as a critical enabler for food security. Innovations showcased included,

• Precision farming tools
• AI-driven crop forecasting
• Smart irrigation systems
• Vertical and urban farming models

These technologies are helping reduce waste, enhance yields, and adapt to climate stress.

Static Facts

• Forum Name: Future Food Forum
• 7th Edition Held in: Dubai, 2025
• First Held in: 2019 (UAE)
• Hosted by: UAE Food and Beverage Business Group (F&B Group)
• CEPA Full Form: Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
• UAE Food Sector Goal: Grow from $8.1 billion to $10.9 billion