The global food and beverage industry converged on Abu Dhabi today as Global Food Week 2025 officially opened its doors at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), marking a pivotal moment for international dialogue on sustainable food systems. Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), this year’s edition has already set new benchmarks for participation and innovation.
H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs, witnessed the grand inauguration alongside distinguished officials, ambassadors, and international experts, underscoring the UAE’s commitment to leading global food security initiatives.
Record-Breaking Growth Signals Industry Momentum
The numbers tell a compelling story of the food and beverage industry’s evolution. This year’s Global Food Week has witnessed unprecedented growth, with exhibition space expanding by 15% to reach 33,542 square metres and participating companies increasing by 9% to a remarkable 2,070 entities. The event has attracted participants from 75 countries, including 18 nations joining for the first time, reflecting the platform’s expanding global reach and influence.
Perhaps most notably, Emirati participation stands strong with 1,055 national companies and brands representing 51% of all participants. This significant local presence demonstrates the growing role of the UAE’s domestic sector in driving food innovation and sustainability initiatives. Additionally, 543 companies and brands are participating for the first time, highlighting Global Food Week’s growing appeal as a key platform for start-ups and innovators worldwide.
Sustainability Takes Center Stage in Leadership Vision
The opening ceremony featured powerful statements from key officials emphasizing the integration of sustainability, technology, and policy in addressing global food challenges. H.E. Dr Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, articulated the event’s significance in her remarks at the Global Food Dialogues opening.
“Hosting Global Food Week under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan reflects our leadership’s vision of placing sustainable food security at the heart of our national and global agendas,” she stated. “At a time when the world is facing overlapping climate and food challenges, the application of agricultural and food practices has become an imperative to increase food production and meet growing global demand while adapting to climate change effects.”
The Minister emphasized that this year’s edition translates vision into tangible reality, noting, “We do not speak of sustainability as a slogan, but as a continuous practice powered by innovation and modern technology. This is reflected in this year’s new features, including the AgriTech Forum, the inaugural Agricultural Investment Forum, and a series of food exhibitions.”
Integrated Approach to Water, Energy, and Food Security
H.E. Dr Abdullah Humaid Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, provided crucial insights into the interconnected nature of modern food systems. “Food security cannot be separated from water and energy security: they form an interconnected and integrated system that requires unified governance and holistic planning,” he emphasized.
The Department of Energy has launched a comprehensive water management strategy built around three core pillars: supply security, usage efficiency, and economic viability. This strategy coordinates closely with ADAFSA to ensure integrated planning across the energy, water, and food sectors.
Al Jarwan highlighted innovative initiatives including mobile desalination units, modern irrigation networks that reduce waste and enhance efficiency, and water reuse systems that intelligently redirect treated water to agricultural sectors. Central to these efforts is the AD.WE platform, which uses artificial intelligence to analyze agricultural data and deliver tailored recommendations for each farm, already achieving water savings of up to 10%.
Innovation Platforms Drive Industry Transformation
The event showcases several groundbreaking platforms designed to accelerate food and beverage industry innovation. The 4th Abu Dhabi International Food Exhibition (ADIFE) reinforces Abu Dhabi’s global role in advancing the food and beverage sector through sustainable solutions and cutting-edge technologies.
H.E. Dr Tariq Ahmed Al Amri, Acting Director-General of ADAFSA, emphasized the strategic importance of farmer engagement through interactive platforms like the Farmers’ Majlis, which allows producers to showcase products, exchange knowledge, and build direct relationships with investors and government entities.
The AgriTech Forum represents the region’s first dedicated platform for agri-food startups, while the debut of the Alternative Proteins Pavilion presents innovative solutions for future food production, including lab-grown meat technologies. The Agricultural Investment Forum brings together government entities, private sector players, and investors to explore strategic opportunities and enhance agricultural sector competitiveness.
Strategic Investment and Economic Diversification
H.E. Badr Salim Sultan Al-Olama, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, highlighted how Global Food Week reflects the Emirate’s forward-looking vision for building a diversified and sustainable economy. Through the AgriFood Growth and Water Abundance (AGWA) cluster, ADIO drives innovation initiatives that encourage practical solutions enhancing food security and climate resilience.
“The Protein Alternatives (PALT) event, as the first of its kind in the region, exemplifies this ambition by providing a dynamic platform that connects investors and innovators to help shape more efficient and sustainable food systems,” Al-Olama noted.
Preserving Heritage While Embracing Innovation
The 11th Abu Dhabi Date Palm Exhibition runs concurrently with Global Food Week, representing the region’s largest dedicated event for the date sector. H.E. Dr Abdelwahab Zayed Al-Bukhari, Secretary-General of the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, explained how the exhibition serves multiple crucial functions.
“Beyond preserving the UAE’s agricultural heritage, we seek to foster innovation and sustainability in one of the world’s most resilient crops,” he stated. “The exhibition serves as a regional gateway for marketing and exporting dates, connecting international buyers with local producers and facilitating long-term supply agreements.”
Building on Previous Success
The 2025 edition builds on remarkable achievements from the inaugural event, which attracted over 34,000 visitors, featured 1,900 brands, and generated AED 6.2 billion in business deals. H.E. Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNEC Group, emphasized how this year’s edition includes several new regional initiatives that promote global dialogue on the future of food and strengthen international cooperation.
“Global Food Week has become an international platform bringing together leading experts, innovators, and decision-makers to discuss urgent challenges and explore practical solutions for building more sustainable and adaptable food systems,” Al Dhaheri noted.
Looking Forward: Shaping Global Food Systems
As Global Food Week 2025 continues through October 23, the event promises to deliver actionable insights and forge critical partnerships that will shape the future of global food systems. The convergence of government entities, private sector innovators, international organizations, and local producers creates a unique ecosystem for addressing the world’s most pressing food security challenges.
The event’s comprehensive approach: integrating policy dialogue, technology showcases, investment opportunities, and cultural heritage preservation: positions Abu Dhabi as a leading global hub for food and beverage industry innovation. With climate change, population growth, and resource scarcity presenting unprecedented challenges, platforms like Global Food Week become increasingly vital for developing collaborative solutions.
For food and beverage professionals worldwide, Global Food Week 2025 represents more than an exhibition: it’s a blueprint for the industry’s sustainable future. The insights, partnerships, and innovations emerging from Abu Dhabi this week will undoubtedly influence food and beverage strategies, policies, and technologies for years to come.
The success of this year’s Global Food Week reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a critical nexus where traditional agricultural wisdom meets cutting-edge innovation, where policy meets practice, and where local solutions address global challenges. As the food and beverage industry continues evolving toward greater sustainability and resilience, events like these provide the collaborative foundation necessary for meaningful transformation.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Top 40 Under 40” for founding American Wholesale Floral. Politz is also the founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
