2025 AGENDA
2025 Themes
The first day of Make it in the Emirates 2025 sets the stage for the UAE’s industrial ambitions, highlighting its competitive edge, aspiration for economic diversification, informing on key investment opportunities and sectors of focus, and vision for manufacturing leadership. Centered around the 300 Billion Strategy, the day will feature high-profile ministerial keynotes, leadership panels, trailblazer talks, and major industry announcements.
Day Two of Make it in the Emirates is dedicated to the impact of the National ICV and UAE’s commitment to upskilling local talent, setting the stage for businesses to tap into the UAE’s vast procurement opportunities and industrial growth.
Day Three of Make it in the Emirates 2025 focuses on the UAE’s leadership in Industry 4.0, AI, and deep-tech innovation, shaping the future of manufacturing through automation, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation.
The final day of Make it in the Emirates 2025 turns the spotlight on unlocking global market potential and fostering strategic international collaborations. With a focus on overcoming export challenges, enhancing demand-side efficiency, and creating frameworks for youth-driven industrial participation,.
Explore the Make it in the Emirates 2025 Agenda
Click through each hall to explore the exciting lineup of events, sessions, and activities happening at Make it in the Emirates. Stay informed and plan your visit to make the most of every moment at the event.
The Vision Hall is where ministerial keynotes, leadership panels, and major announcements take place. It is a platform for policymakers and industry leaders to champion innovation, celebrate national industries, and inspire collaboration, pride, and ambition among young Emiratis to play a vital role in the country’s manufacturing future.
H.E. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber
This conversation will explore the UAE’s strategic vision, policy innovations, and economic frameworks that drive competitiveness, resilience, and sustainable growth.
Key Themes
Redefining Trade:
How trade policies and agreements are evolving to strengthen economic partnerships and market access.
Investment for Growth:
Strategies to attract foreign and domestic investments, focusing on high-value sectors and emerging industries.
Industry Transformation:
The role of advanced manufacturing, digitalization, and sustainability in shaping the future industrial landscape.
Global Competitiveness:
How the UAE positions itself as a global hub for innovation, trade, and economic diversification.
The UAE’s commitment to cultural heritage and industrial excellence is not about choosing between tradition and progress—it is about harmonizing the two. By investing in heritage-based industries, the UAE’s empower artisans, inspire innovation, and strengthen local supply chains, ensuring that the UAE’s manufacturing future is deeply rooted in its cultural past
This session will explore how the Industrial Alliance is advancing supply chain resilience, economic diversification, and industrial collaboration among member countries. Ministers will share insights on how the alliance is:
Strengthening national localization efforts and regional value chains
Facilitating access to new technologies and strategic markets
Supporting industrial diversification beyond traditional sectors
Enabling co-development projects and technology transfer
Positioning member states for growth in key sectors like manufacturing, energy, and green industries
The panel will explore the critical role of quality infrastructure in elevating the “Made in the Emirates” brand for global recognition. It will highlight the importance of world-class manufacturing facilities, advanced testing and certification systems, and cutting-edge logistics networks in ensuring that UAE-produced goods meet the highest international standards. The discussion will cover how integrating sustainability, innovation, and technology into production processes enhances product quality, while focusing on the need for skilled workforce development and regulatory frameworks that support continuous improvement.
Abdulnasser Bin Kalban
Abdallah Massaad
Matar Ali Al Romaithi
Talal Al Dhiyebi
This session will highlight how the UAE, through strategic partnerships and investment in advanced infrastructure, is positioning itself as a key global hub for resilient, sustainable, and future-ready supply chains.
Global Trade & Logistics
AD Port and DP World’s insights on trade facilitation, port infrastructure, and digital supply chain solutions.
Cluster Development & Industrial Growth
Mubadala’s strategy in fostering specialized industrial hubs to drive economic diversification.
Investments & Industrial expansion
IHC’s journey for expansion in the UAE and impact on priority sectors
Partnerships & localization
Airbus’s growing footprint in the UAE and the role of partnerships with key UAE players to enhance localization efforts
Gabriel Semelas
Peter Abraam
This session will explore the UAE’s strategic vision for Emiratization, its alignment with the Year of Community, and their critical impact on Make it in the Emirates, and discuss how fostering an inclusive and skilled Emirati workforce goes beyond employment, focusing on long-term career development, private sector collaboration, and national economic resilience. The session will highlight how community-driven policies and talent empowerment are shaping the UAE’s future as a global hub for innovation, industry, and sustainable development.
H.E. Ghannam Al Mazrouei
The ICV Awards Ceremony recognizes and honours the exceptional contributions of organizations and individuals driving the National In-Country Value Programme. These awards celebrate companies and leaders who are strengthening the UAE’s local content, industrial growth, and Emiratization efforts through strategic procurement, investments, and support for SMEs.
Award Categories:
- ICV Champion Award for Best Local Content Practices – Recognizing organizations that effectively incorporate ICV into their procurement strategies.
- ICV Champion Award for National SMEs Development – Honoring those who actively support and invest in local SMEs.
- ICV Champion Award for Excellence in Attracting Investments & Offtake – Rewarding companies that drive offtake projects and attract new investments.
- ICV Award for Excellence in Emiratization (Industrial Sector – Private Sector) – Acknowledging manufacturers that foster Emirati workforce development.
- ICV Award for Excellence in Emiratization (Service Providers – Private Sector) – Recognizing service providers committed to Emiratization.
- Excellence Award for Best ICV Certifying Body – Honoring certifying bodies that ensure high standards in ICV verification and compliance.
- ICV Champion Award for Individuals – Recognizing individuals who have made a significant impact in advancing ICV and local content.
- ICV Champion Award for Entrepreneurship in Industry – Celebrating industrial entrepreneurs driving innovation, job creation, and local content development.
In just four years (2020-2024), ICV value has increased from AED 32Bn to AED 110Bn, accelerating localization, job creation, and industrial self-sufficiency. This session will highlight how ICV Champions are partnering with suppliers to build a value-creating ecosystem, expanding UAE manufacturing, generating Emirati jobs, and strengthening resilient, localized supply chains for long-term growth.
Yaser Saeed Almazrouei
Shaista Asif
This panel will explore the competitive landscape and strategic synergies between the UAE’s key industrial zones, analyzing the incentives, enablers, and policies shaping their success. It will examine how these zones are driving localization, attracting investment, and enhancing supply chain resilience while advancing the 300 Billion Strategy.
H.E. Mohamed Sharief Habib Al Awadhi
Saud Abu Al Shawareb
The UAE is rapidly positioning itself as a global hub for advanced technology and innovation. This dialogue session will explore the pivotal role of research and development in achieving these aspirations, focusing on the unique challenges and opportunities within the UAE’s ecosystem. The conversation will cover how to foster a robust R&D culture and will offer insights into the vision for the future of advanced technology in the UAE, highlighting the country’s commitment to remaining at the forefront of innovation.
As the world transitions from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0, the UAE is at the forefront of merging AI, robotics, and human creativity to build a more intelligent, sustainable, and resilient industrial future. This high-level panel will explore how advanced technologies, human-machine collaboration, and AI-driven innovation are shaping the UAE’s next phase of industrial evolution.
Exploring how technology-driven creativity is revolutionizing manufacturing and the role of the UAE in fostering this transformation.
Omar Al Gurg
As the digital economy accelerates, the demand for data centers continues to rise, driving significant energy consumption. Data centers are the backbone of cloud computing, AI, and digital transformation, but their sustainability is now a global priority. With increasing concerns over carbon footprints, energy efficiency, and cooling solutions, governments and enterprises must rethink how to power the next generation of digital infrastructure. For the UAE, a global technology and sustainability leader, integrating renewable energy, AI-driven energy optimization, and cutting-edge cooling technologies is essential for ensuring a sustainable digital future. This panel will explore the intersection of technology and energy in data centers, discussing strategies for reducing power consumption, enhancing efficiency, and ensuring the resilience of digital infrastructure.
The UAE is rapidly emerging as a global powerhouse in chemical manufacturing and investment, leveraging its strategic location, advanced infrastructure, and commitment to sustainable industrial growth. This panel will delve into how the UAE’s expanding chemicals sector is driving global and regional leadership, strengthening supply chain resilience, and advancing the country’s economic diversification efforts.
Key Discussion Points:
- Investing in Growth: How the UAE’s industrial ecosystem is evolving to meet global demand for petrochemicals, fertilizers, and advanced polymers.
- Sustainability & Innovation: The role of low-carbon production in shaping the future of UAE’s chemical sector.
- Market Expansion & Trade Partnerships: How leading UAE chemical companies are strengthening regional and global market positioning, including exports to Asia, Europe, and North America.
- Strategic Collaborations: The impact of government initiatives, foreign investment, and partnerships on scaling production and innovation.
- The Road Ahead: Key challenges and opportunities in accelerating industrial growth and ensuring long-term competitiveness.
This dynamic panel brings together industry pioneers including a local lighthouse leader like EGA to share best practices in achieving operational excellence and digital maturity. We’ll spotlight a new AI-driven transformation engine built from these insights and now being open-sourced to empower mid-sized manufacturers globally.
As the UAE accelerates its industrial transformation under the Operation 300Bn strategy, youth empowerment remains a critical driver of innovation, entrepreneurship, and workforce development in manufacturing. The participation of young Emiratis in shaping the nation’s industrial future is fundamental to achieving long-term economic sustainability and global competitiveness. The session will provide an invaluable perspective on how the UAE is integrating youth into its manufacturing and industrial strategies, inspiring young talents to take an active role in the country’s future.
The National Young Professionals Program (NYPP) is designed to enhance the skills and career prospects of young professionals in the electrical field by raising awareness of quality infrastructure. The program included 11 participants and concluded with three graduation projects. Two participants were nominated for the IEC Young Professionals (YP) program, and one won the IEC YP Leader Chair for 2024. Additionally, three participants were nominated to join the IEC Technical Committee (TC).
The objective of the graduation ceremony is to recognize the achievements of the NYP participants and inspire other youth to join the program in the future. The event also serves to express gratitude to the stakeholders who supported the program.
The Momentum Hall is the stage for thought-provoking sessions and partner-led insights spotlighting key sectors and core themes.
Innovative Materials / Sustainability Partana: Revolutionizing the traditional concrete industry with eco-friendly alternatives
Rick Fox
This session explores the transformative role of AI across key industries, from healthcare and education to manufacturing and beyond. Industry leaders will discuss the UAE’s vision for AI-driven innovation, strategies for integration, and how advanced technologies are shaping a smarter, more competitive economy.
Dr. Chaouki Kasmi
Strata: A Global Supplier, A National Success Story
Presentation & announcement lead by Chief Trade and Industry Officer, ADIO
Deep technology and space manufacturing are unlocking new industrial frontiers, creating opportunities beyond traditional sectors. From microgravity-based production of high-performance materials to AI-driven automation and quantum technologies, these advancements are reshaping global supply chains and enabling breakthroughs in medicine, energy, and communications. The UAE, with its strategic focus on advanced industries and space exploration, is well-positioned to become a hub for deep-tech development and space-enabled manufacturing. This session will explore how emerging technologies can be leveraged to drive economic growth, industrial innovation, and scientific progress, while also addressing the challenges of infrastructure, investment, and talent development.
Amer Al Sayegh
Karim Sabbagh
While gender inclusion is a crucial discussion, this panel will go beyond traditional conversations about representation. Instead, it will highlight the tangible impact women are making in industrial transformation, advanced manufacturing, and economic growth—positioning them as key drivers of innovation and competitiveness.
Dr. Alyazia al Kuwaiti
The panel will discuss the way family offices leverage their flexibility and long-term vision to support emerging industries, infrastructure projects, and sustainable manufacturing initiatives. Experts will also delve into the challenges and opportunities family offices face when investing in industrial sectors, as well as their ability to bridge the gap between traditional wealth management and active industrial development
Luxury Brands I Sustainability – Al Khaznah Leathers: The intersection of luxury, sustainability and innovation
Shamsa Muaid Al Ahbabi
The panel will examine the crucial role of science diplomacy in driving the UAE’s transformation into a global manufacturing powerhouse. It will focus on how the UAE can harness international partnerships and facilitate knowledge transfer to integrate advanced technologies such as AI, robotics, and 3D printing into its manufacturing sector. The discussion will highlight how collaborations with global innovation leaders, research institutions, and technology institutes can promote joint R&D, accelerate the adoption of cutting-edge manufacturing technologies in the UAE, and ease barriers to their exchange. These partnerships will empower the UAE to enhance its production capabilities, foster technological progress, and create a robust, future-ready manufacturing ecosystem.
H.E. Prof. Ebrahim Al Hajri
Magzhan Kenesbai
A strong and well-structured Quality Infrastructure (QI) system is essential for driving inclusive and sustainable industrial development. By integrating standards, regulations, conformity assessment, metrology, and market surveillance, a national QI framework ensures that products and services adhere to internationally recognized quality benchmarks. This, in turn, strengthens industrial ecosystems, enhances global trade competitiveness, and supports long-term economic sustainability.
This session will convene leading experts from international QI organizations, as well as key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, to explore the critical role of QI in shaping a resilient and future-ready industrial landscape.
The session will explore the UAE’s approach to securing strategic minerals, investment opportunities in mining, refining, and processing, and the role of critical minerals in the clean energy transition.
Best Kept Secret: 5 What Separates Unicorn CEOs from the Rest
Fahmi AlShawwa
The Collaboration Hub is the space for industry briefings and educational workshops, connecting businesses and visitors with key enablers, policymakers and industry experts.
Through strategic briefings from government entities, financial institutions, free zones and industry leaders, visitors will gain insights into incentives, funding, and support programmes. Interactive workshops will equip young entrepreneurs and SMEs with practical knowledge on supply chain localization and digital transformation.
Scaling Confusion: When Money Isn’t The Problem, But Growth Is
Ahmed Ali Alwan
Ryaan Sharif
Alessandro Cataldo
Abdulrahman Al Ameri
Celebrating Failures: Leveraging Setbacks for Growth
Every Student Needs to Know This: You Don’t Need to Drop Out of School to Build a Business
Forget the idea, focus on the problem: The startup secret no one talks about
Hotpack: Pioneering Sustainable Packing: The Journey Of Hotpack Global In Revolutionsing The Industry
Abdul Jebbar P.B.
Future Industries Lab is a national program aimed at enhancing the technical capacities of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and developing young national university students. This initiative includes training programs in collaboration with leading experts and major companies in the UAE focused on future manufacturing trends and access needed skills to the market. The program offers technical and industrial training, workshops on operational processes, quality, supply chains, marketing, and tools to access global markets.
This session aim to enhance the technical capacities of SMEs and develop young national university students by providing them with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in future manufacturing trends and access Industrial market. The program will incorporate technical knowledge as well as hands-on activities (gamify the program) to engage the youth.
A strong and efficient Quality Infrastructure (QI) system is essential for building a more inclusive and sustainable industrial future, especially for the next generation. By developing a national framework that includes standards, regulations, conformity, metrological systems, and market surveillance, countries can ensure that products and services meet global quality standards. This ultimately supports a thriving, sustainable industrial ecosystem and strengthens international trade.
This session will bring together young professional from both programs national and IEC, participants are from public and private sectors to discuss how Quality Infrastructure can help shape the future of industries. They will explore the role of QI in building a more sustainable world, the impact of the available training for youth in both national and international level is paving the way for a better, more innovative future.
The Strategy Room is an exclusive, high-level space, designed for strategic roundtables that bring together ministers, industry leaders, and key stakeholders. These closed-door discussions focus on shaping policies, fostering collaboration, and addressing critical challenges to drive the UAE’s industrial and economic agenda forward.
This high-level strategic roundtable will bring together MOIAT and key ICV Champions to assess the progress, challenges, and future direction of the ICV program across various sectors. Key topics will include:
-ICV Implementation: Evaluating achievements, addressing challenges, and identifying sector-wide improvements.
-ICV 2.0 – The Next Phase: Insights into upcoming developments in the ICV framework and policy evolution.
-Collaboration for Growth: Strengthening partnerships between the government, large enterprises, and SMEs to accelerate ICV adoption.
-Sustainability and Green ICV: Exploring the integration of sustainable practices, green ICV strategies, and economic decarbonization to align industrial growth with national sustainability goals.
Hosted by MOIAT, this roundtable will bring together key ICV accreditation partners to discuss the evolution and future direction of the ICV certification framework.
The roundtable discussion aims to foster collaboration among federal and local entities, as well as private sector stakeholders, to identify strategies for maximizing the impact of the Demand Side Management (DSM) Program. By addressing key challenges and exploring actionable solutions, the discussion will culminate in a whitepaper outlining recommendations to enhance industry participation and drive energy efficiency initiatives across the UAE.
