DAY 1 - Setting the Vision: From Food Security to Food SovereigntyMonday, 26 October 2026 - GT (Gulf Time, GMT+04:00)

Forward-looking chat on reducing import dependency and building sustainable, resilient food ecosystems across the GCC and MENA region

• Local production and imports: What role UAE farms can realistically play in national food security?
• What UAE farmers need to compete and grow?
• Research to farm: Getting arid-climate science into practice
• Raising standards: Building trust in Emirati produce through UAEG.A.P.
• The next generation of UAE farmers

A high-level discussion on closing the gaps farmers face, from inputs and technology to advice and services, to build resilient farming across the region

• Mapping infrastructure gaps across production, inputs, processing, and distribution
• What farmers need from the system to grow, such as inputs, advice and services?
• How technology providers, government and farmers can design solutions together?
• From pilot to scale: Identifying scalable models for GCC and neighboring regions

How practical farm monitoring, digital records and connected data can help farmers improve irrigation, soil health, crop performance, yields and overall farm visibility?

• What UAE farmers need to measure: water, soil, crops, yields and cost-to-produce?
• How sensors, satellite monitoring and practical digital records can support day-to-day decisions?
• Turning observations into action: irrigation timing, crop health, pest risk and productivity improvements
• Connecting farm data with research, extension support and voluntary UAE G.A.P. recordkeeping
• Building farmer trust: useful insights, clear ownership of data and practical adoption pathways

• Artificial Intelligence as an Implementation Tool for the UAE National Food Security Strategy 2051
• International Partnerships and Technology Localization (Agricultural Diplomacy)
• Legislation and Policies Supporting the Circular Economy and Climate Neutrality
• Artificial Intelligence in Urban Agriculture, Afforestation, and Food Safety
• Youth Empowerment and Digital Solutions: From Tech Entrepreneurship to Advancing the Agricultural Sector
• Agricultural Entrepreneurship and Building Local Brands

How finance can move agricultural technology from the farm to scale and lower the risk for farmers and investors alike?

• The investment gap: Return-on-investment expectations versus long-term resilience outcomes
• Financing adoption at farm level, and who funds the first pilot
• Sharing the risk: New models that lower the risk for farmers, such as leasing, pay-per-use and crop insurance
• Data that unlocks finance: can AI build and analyse farm data to reduce credit risk and open access to financing? Standards such as UAE G.A.P. play a part too
• Scaling up: Blended finance and attracting institutional investors into food systems

Turning agricultural and food waste into sustainable resources, alternative proteins and commercially viable opportunities

• Sustainable Agriculture Mark and organic certification as enablers of responsible farming
• Traceability, verification and credible sustainability claims
• Supporting UAE food security and sustainable agriculture
• Practical compliance pathways and market access

• Water Management: Desalination, cooling irrigation water during the hot summer months, and using efficient irrigation systems.
• Climate Adaptation: Protecting young plants with temporary shading and gradually adapting them to local heat and climatic conditions.
• Soil Health: Improving soil through organic fertilizers, compost and vermicompost, while allowing fallen leaves and plant material to naturally enrich the soil.
• Integrated Agricultural Ecosystem: Bringing water, climate adaptation, soil health, and organic practices together into one sustainable farming ecosystem.
• Practical UAE Experience: Sharing real examples and lessons from Wadi Dafta Plantation and Fujairah Botanical Farm.

From the Gulf to the Globe: Exporting a Climate-Resilience Playbook

Explores the role of digital technologies in optimizing agricultural productivity and supply chain efficiency

• AI on the farm, and which tools UAE farmers can use and afford
• Predictive analytics for crop yield forecasting
• AI applications in logistics, inventory management, and demand planning
• Smart farming solutions to reduce waste and improve productivity
• Integrating real-time data for decision-making across the food ecosystem
• Who owns farm data and how it's shared between farmers, government and providers?