His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, officially opened the 10th World Free Zones Organization Congress in Dubai. Held at Madinat Jumeirah under the high patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the congress marked a decade of the World Free Zones Organisation (World FZO) and the unveiling of its new corporate identity.
A Landmark Gathering for Global Free Zones
The 10th World Free Zones Organization Congress drew over 2,000 business leaders and officials from more than 136 countries — described as one of the largest gatherings since the organisation was established. Prominent attendees included His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, along with ministers, deputy ministers, and secretary generals from across the globe.
The congress was themed "Zones and the Shifting Global Economic Structures – Unlocking New Investment Avenues," addressing how free zones are adapting to evolving global economic realities.
UAE Free Zones: Engines of Global Trade
His Excellency Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy, underscored the vital role played by the country's free zone network. He noted that the UAE's 44 specialised free zones host more than 60,000 companies and function as critical hubs connecting Asian, European, and African markets — strengthening the nation's position as a global trade partner.
The minister's remarks highlighted free zones as central pillars in the UAE's economic diversification strategy, driving investment and job creation across key sectors.
World FZO's New Vision: Impact, Influence, and Trust
Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Chairman of the World FZO, used the occasion to introduce the organisation's refreshed brand identity and strategic direction. He outlined three core focus areas guiding the organisation's future: Impact, Influence, and Trust.
Dr. Al Zarooni emphasised that the congress is about more than absorbing ideas — it is about challenging them and translating them into concrete outcomes for free zones worldwide. Under his leadership, the World FZO has grown from 14 founding members to over 1,600 members across 141 countries.
Aligned with Dubai's D33 Ambitions
The innovative free zone model showcased at the congress directly supports the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which aims to establish Dubai as one of the top three urban economies in the world within the next decade. The agenda targets doubling foreign trade to AED 25 trillion by 2033 and establishing trade corridors with 400 new cities globally.
Dubai hosted the World FZO Congress for the second consecutive year and the fifth time in total, reflecting the emirate's standing as the world's premier destination for free zone innovation and global business connectivity.
A New Era for Free Zones
The 10th World Free Zones Organization Congress in Dubai marked a pivotal moment for the global free zone industry. With net-zero initiatives, artificial intelligence, digital trade, and Industry 4.0 topping the agenda, the gathering reinforced Dubai's role as the hub where the future of international trade is being shaped — one free zone at a time.
