Overview
The Future Growth Nexus Summit, delivered by Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZ) in collaboration with Forbes Middle East, will convene the region’s visionary leaders, industry pioneers, and trade experts under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority.
Marking DAFZ’s 30-year legacy, the summit serves as a flagship thought-leadership platform designed to position the Freezone for its next phase of growth while reflecting on its evolution and impact within the global trade ecosystem.
As global economic dynamics continue to shift, the summit will explore future-focused trade models, smart and sustainable economic zones, advanced logistics, digital trade, AI-driven innovation, and the policy frameworks that enable investment attraction and cross-border expansion.
Through high-level dialogue, strategic insights, and collaborative engagement, The Future Growth Nexus Summit aims to shape a digitally integrated, resilient, and sustainable global trade network.
Under the Patronage of
H.H Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum
Speakers
H.E Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi
H.E Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni
H.E Amna Lootah
Paul Keely
Steve Allen
Aziz Koleilat
Lisa Park
Bremer Pauw
Nitin Tatiwala
Gabriel Semelas
Hélène Goury
Emmanuel Legros
Kunal Narula
Alastair Croker
Moussalam Dalati
Alan Ng
Iyad Kamal
Amal Dokhan
Julien Plouzeau
Shane Shin
Kamal Reggad
Moderators
Sally Mousa
Ramia Farrage
Agenda
Future Growth Nexus Summit
08:30 – 9:50 am
Registration & Networking
9:50 – 9:55 am
Welcome Remarks
9:55 – 10:00 am
DAFZ 30-Year Legacy Video
10:00 – 10:10 am
Keynote Speech: Smart Trade Policies for Integrated Economic Zones
10:10 – 10:15 am
Keynote Speech: Three Decades of Transformation: Trade Hubs That Accelerated Dubai
Theme 1 | Future-Ready Logistics: Innovation and resilience enabling global trade growth
10:15 – 10:30 am
Panel: Redefining Logistics for a Connected Future: Seamless, Sustainable, and Secure Ecosystems
Witness the experts share strategies for building future-ready hubs that integrate digital platforms, sector-focused services, and resilient, sustainable infrastructure to support diverse economic needs.
10:40 – 10:45 am
Special Address: From Free Zone to Future Zone: Rethinking Economic Platforms
Theme 2 | Sustainability as Strategy: A Roadmap for Net-Zero Trade
10:50 – 10:55 am
Spotlight Session: Advancing Trust and Environmental Responsibility: ESG Standards and Reporting Align on clear metrics to measure progress, attract sustainable finance, and strengthen global partnerships to drive real impact.
11:00 – 11:15 am
Panel: Greening the Free Zone Model: From Warehouses to Air Cargo
Explore proven strategies to reduce carbon emissions across warehousing, transport fleets, and last-mile delivery while meeting the demands of global trade.
Theme 3 | The Digital Trade Revolution: Platforms, AI, and Blockchain for Commerce
11:20– 11:35 am
Panel: Digital Marketplaces: The New Engine of Cross-Border Commerce
Delve into the mechanisms of how online B2B platforms are transforming sourcing, payments, and customs in a digital-first economy.
11:45 – 12:00 pm
Panel: Predictive Logistics and Data-Driven Supply Chains: AI Tools That Drive Efficiency and Agility
Experts will highlight how AI-powered forecasting, robotics, route optimization, and demand sensing are reshaping trade hubs to improve accuracy, reduce costs, and enable faster, more adaptive logistics responses.
12:05 – 01:00 pm
Networking Lunch Break
Theme 4 | Investment and Innovation: Powering the Future of Trade and Logistics
01:05 – 01:20 pm
Panel: Catalysing Competitive Advantage: Investments and Partnerships for Next-Generation Solutions
Access strategic insights on how targeted investments and collaborative partnerships deliver transformative projects, cutting-edge solutions, and sustainable growth across the value chain.
01:25 – 01:35 pm
Fireside Chat: How Venture Capital Is Powering the Future of Trade, Logistics & Digital Commerce
A strategic conversation on how venture capital is fueling innovation across logistics, digital commerce, and emerging trade platforms
01:40 – 01:55 pm
Panel: Empowering SMEs and High-Potential Startups Within Integrated Economic Zones
This session will highlight how integrated, sector-ready zones offer the specialized infrastructure, access to finance, create supportive pathways for emerging ventures and strategic partnerships needed to scale high-impact logistics and tech ventures sustainably.
02:00 – 02:30 pm
Closing Remarks and Networking
Select Your Package
unique experience. Please proceed to select the general Pass and click “Next.” If you wish to purchase multiple
tickets, please choose the “Group Member” option on the next page before submitting.
Delegate PASS
EARLY BIRD PRICE
200 $
Register today as a delegate to connect with influential leaders shaping the future of medical tourism and wellness. Share innovative ideas, forge meaningful collaborations, and unlock opportunities with lasting impact.
As a delegate, you’ll enjoy exclusive access to all areas designed to inspire, connect, and empower healthcare and wellness professionals.
- Premium seating and priority access to the Summit sessions
- Exclusive networking opportunities with leaders, speakers and partners
- Gift bag curated by our event partners
- Access to the delegate networking lounge
- Priority registration and on-site assistance
- Full access to the exhibition and vendor areas
Visitor PASS
Register today as a delegate to connect with influential leaders shaping the future of medical tourism and wellness. Share innovative ideas, forge meaningful collaborations, and unlock opportunities with lasting impact.
The visitor pass will give you complimentary access to the following areas:
- Admission to all panel discussions, talks and expert sessions
- Workshop Area and Summit Activities
- Exhibition Area and Vendor Space
Location
Museum of the Future, Dubai
Located in the heart of Dubai, the Museum of the Future is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks and a global hub for innovation, design, and forward-thinking ideas. Situated along Sheikh Zayed Road, the venue offers seamless accessibility and a state-of-the-art environment, making it the perfect setting for an event that celebrates the future of creativity, technology, and culture.
About Forbes Middle East
Forbes Middle East is a licensee of Forbes Media and extends the Forbes brand of journalism across the Arab world. Forbes Middle East’s distinctive editorial style attracts a readership of Arab leaders, entrepreneurs, C-level executives, government officials and investors united by a belief in the spirit of free enterprise and entrepreneurial values.Across the region, Forbes Middle East sets the pace for preemptive business journalism. By uncovering trends and anticipating opportunities in the regional marketplace, each monthly issue brings top executives the information critical to their success – in both Arabic and English language editions. The magazine researches and publishes original rankings, based on methodologies set by Forbes Media.