10th Annual World FZO World Congress

The annual World Free Zones Organization (World FZO) World Congress has announced the official lineup of key speakers for its 10th edition, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The event will take place at Madinat Jumeirah Conference and Events Centre from 23-25 September.

The event will feature leading experts, specialists, and decision-makers from the free zones, logistics, and multilateral sectors, alongside top investors, entrepreneurs, and academic figures from across the globe. Furthermore, the Congress will bring together over 35 prominent speakers in sessions, focused events and workshops. These discussions will explore the latest trends, emerging technologies, and innovations shaping the free zones sector, while also examining strategies to enhance its contribution to the global economy. This aligns with the Congress’ theme for 2024: ‘Zones and the Shifting Global Economic Structures – Unlocking New Investment Avenues’.

Packed Agenda
The Congress will commence on its first day with a closed strategic session featuring the participation of 30 ministers, CEOs, and leaders as part of ‘The Ministerial Meeting’, titled ‘The Future Role of AI and New Technologies in Global Trade 2.0’. Participants include His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade; His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Chairman of the World FZO; His Excellency Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Other key events include the ‘Private Sector and Developers/Operators Meeting’, the ‘Special Economic Zones in BRICS Countries’ event, and the ‘Leadership Development Seminar’.

Opening Ceremony
The official opening ceremony of the congress will take place on the second day, featuring keynote addresses by His Excellency Abdullah Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy; His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Chairman of World FZO; Gerhard Schröder, Former Chancellor, Germany; Jim Hagemann Snabe, Chairman, Siemens and member of WEF Board of Trustees, Denmark; Martin G. Pedersen, Chairman of International Free Zone Administration (IFZA); and John Defterios, Former Emerging Markets Editor/Anchor, CNN United Kingdom. They will all present this year’s congress message and objectives, while also highlighting the key topics, discussions, and sessions that position the event as a crucial platform for exchanging ideas, exploring opportunities, and addressing challenges.

During the second and third day, the annual World FZO World Congress will feature five plenary sessions and eight side stream sessions, held alongside its activities. Additionally, there will be four focused events with the participation of VIP speakers, top-level global and regional business leaders, officials from economic zones and logistics services, investors, entrepreneurs, and academic figures.

His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Chairman of the World FZO, said: “The 10th edition of the World FZO World Congress highlights Dubai’s crucial role in global trade and contributions to international economic growth. We are honoured to welcome a distinguished group of intellectual leaders, decision-makers, experts, entrepreneurs, and academics from around the world. This Congress not only reflects the Organization’s decade-long success in shaping the future of global trade and investment but also marks a milestone in our commitment to driving growth and prosperity in the global economy.”

“The exceptional participation of speakers in this year’s Congress plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of free zones on a global scale, enhancing their contribution to economic progress, sustainability, and inclusive growth. This Congress also sets new standards for economic advancement, aligning with the Organization’s goals and our strategy which remain focused on advancing global economic progress, sustainability, and inclusive growth by empowering free zones worldwide,” Al Zarooni added.

Main Sessions
The Congress will feature sessions, focused events, and workshops covering critical topics, including ‘The Future of Logistics’, with notable participants such as Radu Dinescu, President of the International Road Transport Union (IRU), and Dr. Holger Bingmann, Vice President of France’s International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). Another key session, ‘The Future of Access to Finance’, will explore emerging trends in FinTech, the role of development finance institutions, and strategies to improve access to capital for companies operating in free zones. This session will include contributions from Dr. Sidi Ould Taha, Director General of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA); Santiago Rojas Arroyo, Regional Director of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for Latin America and the Caribbean; Professor Chi Fulin, Director of the China-Arab Studies Center for Reform and Development; and Ismail Ersahin, Executive Director and CEO of the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA).

The session titled ‘The Future of Energy’ will address the opportunities and challenges facing the energy sector within free zones, offering effective solutions for transitioning to more sustainable energy. Key participants include Joseph McMonigle, Secretary General of the International Energy Forum; Eng. Nawal Yousif Alhanaee, Director of the Future Energy Department at the UAE Ministry of Energy; Dr. Hasan Shafi, Partner at EY-Parthenon; and Corey Gray, President of the Smart Cities Council (SCC).

In the session titled ‘The Future of Manufacturing’, His Excellency Manuel Tovar Rivera, Minister of Foreign Trade of the Republic of Costa Rica; Badr Salim Sultan Al Olama, Acting Director General of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office; and Steven Spence Marshall, former Premier of South Australia, will discuss technological advancements and their role in revolutionising traditional manufacturing models, enhancing efficiency, and increasing flexibility.

The Congress will also feature a session on ‘The Future of Digital’, with key participants including Dr. Jean-Michel Mrusek, former CEO of Knorr-Bremse, Siemens Digital Factory, and Siemens Energy Management in Germany; Hazem Jalal, Senior Partner at PwC; Dr. Akram Nour, Chief of Digital Transformation at ECSZA; and Richard Bolwijn, Director of Investment Research at UNCTAD.