Dubai is set to host the Intercontinental Commodity Exchange (ICX) 2026 Summit on January 29 at the Museum of the Future, assembling government officials, agricultural exporters, and logistics experts to address critical threats to global food security. The convening occurs during one of the most strained periods for agricultural systems in decades, with particular focus on disruptions across the Black Sea region—a vital export corridor for grains and oilseeds.
Supply chains to MENA, Africa, and Asia have been severely destabilized, compelling importers to seek alternative sources under conditions of elevated cost, extended transit durations, and heightened operational risk. These challenges are compounded by attacks on export infrastructure, shifting energy dynamics—including Venezuela’s evolving role—and persistent security threats in the Red Sea, a crucial maritime passage.
Philip Werle, Executive Director of ICX, emphasized the urgency: “The summit was established under the recognition that stable food supply can no longer be assumed. With freight routes imperiled and energy markets in flux, closer collaboration between governments and market participants is essential to preempt systemic crisis.”
The event will feature high-level participation from key agricultural nations, including Kazakhstan’s Minister of Agriculture Aidarbek Saparov, alongside delegates from Egypt, Brazil, and Argentina. UAE entities such as the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) and the Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment (AAAID) will also contribute, underscoring the Emirates’ strategic role in food security governance.
Major market institutions including Al Dahra, Agthia, and Transoil Group are slated to attend, alongside sponsors like FERGUS Kazakhstan and Turkish trading firm MEKE, which operates across Black Sea territories. The dialogue will center on stabilizing trade routes, safeguarding import-dependent regions, and ensuring long-term commodity availability in an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape.