Under the patronage of Prime Minister H.E. Eng. Mostafa Madbouly, the inaugural FoodGuard Summit has officially opened in Cairo. The event, organized by Informa Markets in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), brings together government officials, private sector leaders, and international organizations to address food safety and security challenges across the Middle East and Africa.
Quick Facts
- Inaugural summit launched in Cairo, Egypt.
- Organized by Informa Markets and UNIDO.
- Held alongside Fi Africa and Propak MENA 2026.
- Strong participation from Egyptian government ministers.
Government and UNIDO Backing Signals Strategic Importance
The summit’s opening session highlighted strong governmental support, with keynote addresses from H.E. Dr. Sherif Farouk, Minister of Supply and Internal Trade, and H.E. Khaled Hashem, Minister of Industry. This high-level participation underscores the Egyptian government’s commitment to advancing the food industries as a vital contributor to the national economy.
Wouter Maloman, Chief Commercial Officer at Informa Markets, and Dr. Patrick Jean Gilabert, UNIDO’s Regional Representative, both stressed the need for greater collaboration between public, private, and international bodies. The goal is to strengthen food value chains and bolster food security throughout the region. The event’s inauguration was attended by senior government officials, leaders from major food and packaging companies, and representatives from numerous international organizations.
A Platform for Critical Food Security Discussions
The FoodGuard Summit serves as a regional platform for decision-makers to discuss the future of food security and safety. The agenda for the first day was structured around key strategic challenges facing the region’s food supply chains.
The first session, “Food Loss and Waste: A Strategic Imperative for Regional Food Security,” featured discussions with representatives from COMESA, the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD), and the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
A subsequent session focused on “Catalyzing Private Sector Innovation and Financing Scalable Solutions,” with speakers from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Tetra Pak, and the Chamber of Food Industries. The day concluded with a discussion on building coalitions to strengthen the “Critical Midstream” of food chains—including storage, packaging, and logistics—with participation from UNIDO and the National Food Safety Authority.
Reinforcing Egypt’s Role as a Regional Hub
The launch of the FoodGuard Summit alongside Fi Africa and Propak MENA 2026 reinforces Egypt’s position as a central hub for the region’s food industries. The combined events welcomed over 8,000 visitors on the first day, with more than 15,000 industry professionals expected to attend in total.
With participation from 35 countries, four international pavilions, and over 2,000 international VIPs, the exhibitions provide a significant venue for manufacturers, suppliers, and investors to connect. The event showcases the latest innovations in food ingredients, processing, packaging, and logistics, aiming to enhance production efficiency and sustainability across the sector.
About Informa Markets
Informa Markets connects people and markets through digital solutions, specialized content, trade exhibitions, hybrid events, and market intelligence, helping businesses discover opportunities, innovate, and grow. As a global leader in events and B2B services, Informa Markets operates in more than 30 countries, bringing together industries and enabling meaningful connections across sectors including healthcare, food, manufacturing, technology, and infrastructure.
Source: Zawya
