Abu Dhabi Hosts Inaugural Honey Symposium at Global Food Week 2026
The Abu Dhabi Honey Symposium and Exhibition opened today as part of Global Food Week 2026, bringing together international beekeeping experts, researchers and industry leaders to advance sustainable practices in arid environments.
The inaugural Abu Dhabi Honey Symposium and Exhibition has opened at Global Food Week 2026, organised by the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) in partnership with Apimondia, the International Federation of Beekeepers’ Associations. The gathering represents the largest scientific event dedicated to beekeeping and honey production in the Middle East and North Africa region.
The symposium convenes international experts, researchers, policymakers, beekeepers and industry leaders to exchange knowledge and explore the future of sustainable beekeeping in arid environments. Today’s opening featured specialised presentations examining biodiversity, pollinator protection, sustainable apiary management and the contribution of beekeeping to resilient food systems.
Prof. Dr Peter Kozmus, Acting President of Apimondia, delivered the keynote address, emphasising that beekeeping extends far beyond honey production. “The true value of bees lies in their essential role in pollination, biodiversity and sustainable food production,” he remarked, noting the importance of strengthening cooperation among beekeeping organisations, researchers and industry stakeholders worldwide.
The symposium outlined key measures to strengthen sustainable beekeeping in the UAE, including improving water and food resource availability, breeding resilient local bee populations, implementing advanced genomic tools and AI-based monitoring systems, protecting pollinators and biodiversity, enhancing beekeeper education, and developing a coordinated national programme through collaboration between researchers, institutions and conservation organisations.
High-level technical sessions explored critical topics, including conservation of the Anatolian Honeybee. Prof. Irfan Kandemir from Ankara University shared insights from over 25 years of work preserving this subspecies, which is naturally adapted to hot, arid conditions comparable to those of the UAE. He highlighted how genetic diversity enables bee populations to withstand climate change and scarce food sources, whilst emphasising that lasting conservation requires partnerships between scientists, beekeepers, governments and non-governmental organisations.
The symposium offers visitors interactive experiences, including honey tasting featuring varieties from around the world, alongside competitions for Best Photography and Best Scientific Poster. Exhibitors showcase premium Emirati honey, beekeeping equipment, apiary management solutions and innovative technologies supporting sector development.
The Abu Dhabi Honey Symposium and Exhibition continues throughout Global Food Week 2026, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture, food security and environmental stewardship.
Source: WAM