The first wave of speakers at Make It In The Emirates 2026 has been revealed

abu dhabi city skyline morning time

Make it in the Emirates brings together leaders shaping the UAE’s industrial future

 

The countdown is officially on for one of the UAE’s most influential industry events, as Make It In The Emirates 2026 returns with a strong focus on innovation, resilience, and future-ready growth.

Taking place from 4 to 7 May at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, this year’s edition builds on the momentum of 2025, which set a new standard for scale and impact across the industrial sector.

Now, the event is back with an even sharper agenda, bringing together decision-makers, investors, and innovators shaping the next phase of the UAE’s economic evolution

One of the biggest highlights already announced is the first wave of speakers, featuring a dynamic mix of global industry leaders and forward-thinking voices.

Speakers include:

  • H.E. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber — Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology
  • H.E. Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi – Minister, Ministry of Foreign Trade
  • H.E. Hasan Al Nowais — Undersecretary, Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology
  • H.E. Fahad Al Gergawi — Undersecretary, Ministry of Foreign Trade
  • H.E. Mohamed Sharief Habib Al Awadhi — Director General, Fujairah Free Zone Authority
  • H.E. Dr. Tarek Ahmed Al-Amiri — Acting Director General, ADAFSA
  • H.E. Ghanam Al Mazrouei — Secretary General, Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (ETCC)
  • H.E. Dr. Abdulaziz Al Zarouni — Executive Director of the Financial Sector and Supporting Services, EHS
  • H.E. Matar Ali Al Romaithi — Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement
  • H.E. Dhafer Al Qasimi — Group Chief Executive Officer, Silal
  • Dr. Nasser Humaid Al Nuaimi — Secretary General, Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement
  • H.E. Ibtisam Ali Alsaadi – Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Industrial Development Sector, Ministry of Industry & Advanced Technology
  • H.E. Khalfan Belhoul -Chief Executive Officer, The Dubai Future Foundation
  • H.E. Osama Amir Fadhel – Assistant Undersecretary of Industry Accelerators Sector, Ministry of Industry & Advanced Technology
  • H.E. Shamma Al Mazrui – Minister, Ministry of Community Empowerment
  • Eng. Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi — Group Chief Executive Officer, EMSTEEL
  • Ismail Ali Abdulla — Executive Director, UAE Clusters – UAE Investment Platform, Mubadala Investment Company
  • Mashal Saoud Al Kindi — Chief Executive Officer, TA’ZIZ
  • Omar Abdulla Alnuaimi — Acting Group Chief Commercial & ICV, ADNOC
  • Ramy Jallad — Group Chief Executive Officer, RAKEZ
  • Saud Abu Alshawareb – Executive Vice President – Industrial Leasing, TECOM Group PJSC
  • Dr. Yasser Zaghloul — Group Chief Executive Officer, NMDC Group
  • Hassan Al-Hazeem – Chairman, Intercoil UAE
  • Eng. Majid BinZawbaa – Group Vice President – Strategic Accounts, ABB
  • Abdulla Al Hashmi – Chief Operating Officer, Parks & Zones- DP World GCC, DP World
  • Adel Al Breiki – Chief Executive Officer-Aldar Projects, Aldar
  • Ahmed Al Alawi – Head of Industry & Trade Development, ADIO
  • Antonoaldo Neves – Chief Executive Officer, Etihad
  • Basel Ziyadeh – Chief Executive Officer, Julphar
  • Dr. Basem Al Barahmeh – Chief Executive Officer, Global Pharma
  • Dena Al Mansoori – Chief Technology & Innovation Officer, ADNOC
  • Dr. Fareed Al Ameeri – Chief Strategy Officer, Sharjah-Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP)
  • Dr. Suzanne Baaghil – Director of Regulatory Affairs, Dubai Refreshment Company (Pepsi)
  • Edward Bell – Acting Chief Economists & Head of Research, ENBD
  • Faris Mesmar – Advisor. Khalifa Fund
  • Fotton Al Mazrooei – First Abu Dhabi Bank
  • Ibrahim Al Blooshi – Member of Nafis Youth Council & Digital Enterprise Engineer, Siemens
  • Jarvis Yan – Founder & CEO, ROX Motors
  • Mohammed Alkamali –  Chief Trade and Industry Officer, ADIO
  • Mohammed Saeed Al Raqbani – General Manager of Dubai Industrial Investment Company and ‘Mashari’ Company, and Board Member of Global Pharma Company, Dubai Investments Industries
  • Nandakumar – Director of Marketing, Lulu Retail
  • Ronald Richa –  Business Development Director, Veolia
  • Sara Jackson – Secretary General, Circular Packaging Association (CPA)
  • Shaker Zainel – Chief Executive Officer, MBRIF
  • Simon Storesund – Chief Supply Chain and Business Development Officer, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA)
  • Tahar Kerkeni – Lead Lighthouse Operating Systems, World Economic Forum
  • Marwan Abdulaziz Aljahani – Senior Vice President, Dubai Science Park
  • Kiran Kumar – Group Director – Industry  X.0 & Digital Transformation Operations, EDGE Group
  • Mariam Lubieniecki – Chief Executive Officer, POWERTECH, EDGE Group
  • Antonio De Cecca – Chief Operating Officer, Tabreed
  • Fatima al Dhaheri – Head of the Food and Water Cluster – Head of AGWA Cluster, ADIO
  • Abdulla Alkayoumi – Managing Director, Masdar Specialized Technical Services, Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company – Masdar
  • Badr Jafar – Special Envoy for Business and Philanthropy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • Dr. Najwa Aaraj – Chief Operating Officer, Technology Innovation Institute
  • Fatma Al Falasi – Investment Specialist, Ministry of Industry & Advanced Technology
  • Fatma Essa Almheiri – Director of Technology Adoption and Development, Ministry of Industry & Advanced Technology
  • Hanan Hanzaz – Ehief, Regional Bureau for the Arab States, UNIDO
  • Omar Al Braiki- Vice President for Stategic Relations Management, ADNOC Group
  • H.E. Dr. Farah Alzarooni – Ministry of Industry & Advanced Technology

These are the people actively driving transformation across manufacturing, technology, and investment, offering real insight into how industries are adapting, scaling, and preparing for what comes next.

Make It In The Emirates has positioned itself as a national platform for opportunity, connecting businesses with the tools, partnerships, and strategies needed to grow.

From unlocking new investment channels to accelerating localisation and advancing industrial capabilities, the event is designed to turn ideas into tangible outcomes.

Across four days, attendees can expect a packed programme of talks, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, all centred around building a more resilient and competitive industrial landscape.

It’s where conversations move beyond theory, focusing instead on practical steps, real collaboration, and long-term impact.

With just weeks to go, anticipation is building as the event prepares to welcome leaders from across sectors.

Whether it’s exploring new technologies, forming strategic partnerships, or gaining insights from those at the forefront of change, Make It In The Emirates 2026 is shaping up to be a key moment in the UAE’s industrial calendar.

For those looking to stay ahead of the curve, this is where the next chapter begins, and where the future of industry in the UAE continues to take shape.

Free. 4-7 May, ADNEC Abu Dhabi. For further information, visit miite.ae

 

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