Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President
and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai is set to host the 10 th edition of the
annual World Free Zones Organization (World FZO) – World Congress. The event will take place
at “Madinat Jumeirah” from 23-25 September under the theme ‘Zones and the Shifting Global
Economic Structures – Unlocking New Investment Avenues’.
This year’s event marks the 10th anniversary of the World FZO and will be hosted in Dubai for the
second consecutive year and the fifth time overall since its inception. The previous edition was
among the largest in World FZO’s history, contributing significantly to its ongoing success.
The 10 th edition will gather representatives from economic zones worldwide, reflecting the World
FZO’s commitment to advancing the crucial role in global trade played by economic zones, through
which more than a third of global trade flows. The event will emphasise the impact of these zones
in supporting national economies, facilitating trade exchanges, boosting commercial transactions,
driving the digital economy, attracting foreign investments, and supporting other economic sectors.
Dr. Mohammed Al-Zarooni, Chairman of the World FZO, said: “Hosting the 10th World FZO
World Congress reflects Dubai’s commitment to actively contribute to the development of the
global system of economic zones, which serve as the backbone of international trade in our current
era. This aligns with the Dubai’s drive to double its foreign trade to reach AED 25 trillion and its
goal to establish trade corridors with 400 new cities worldwide by 2033, in accordance with Dubai
Economic Agenda (D33) and its ambitious targets.
He added that organizing the event in Dubai offers a renewed opportunity to present in-depth
visions and anticipate the future of the economic zones sector globally. It fosters constructive and
fruitful discussions among all stakeholders on ways to facilitate business, connect various markets,
and provide customers with cost-effective processes”.
To date, the Organization has more than 1,600 members from 141 countries, with global
representation through 12 regional offices around the world and 42 national contact points.
