One of the largest e-commerce events in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, WORLDEF DUBAI 2026 brought together more than 16,000 participants from 80 countries in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Organized by international e-commerce platform WORLDEF in cooperation with Dubai CommerCity, the event convened companies and startups ranging from e-commerce marketplaces and logistics providers to artificial intelligence ventures and online sellers.
Held for the second time this year at the Dubai CommerCity campus, the event took place under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ).
Focus on Cross-Border Growth and Digital Trade
WORLDEF DUBAI 2026 was organized through a collaboration between Dubai CommerCity — a joint venture between DIEZ and Wasl Properties — and WORLDEF, with a focus on supporting the global expansion of cross-border e-commerce and digital trade companies.
The event aims to create commercial opportunities, strengthen strategic partnerships, promote knowledge sharing and advance sustainable growth in the global digital economy.
An opening ceremony was held on the event’s main stage, “Future Commerce,” attended by senior officials including Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, DIEZ CEO Mohammed Al Zarooni, Dubai CommerCity and Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZ) Director General Amna Lootah, Türkiye’s Ambassador to the UAE Lütfullah Göktaş, and WORLDEF CEO Ömer Nart, alongside ambassadors, consuls general and representatives of leading international digital trade companies.
UAE’s First Applied AI Innovation Center Announced
During the event, it was announced that the UAE’s first Applied Artificial Intelligence Innovation Center will be established within Dubai CommerCity by the IIT Madras Global Research Foundation. The center aims to position Dubai as a regional and global launch hub for applied AI innovation by creating a long-term platform for developing, implementing and scaling sustainable solutions.
Dubai CommerCity also introduced a new economic research report examining the transition from traditional trade models to integrated, technology-driven digital trade ecosystems supported by e-commerce, digital payments, smart logistics, fintech innovation and data-driven cross-border services.
The report highlights the development of secure digital trade corridors to strengthen regional and global economic integration through digital infrastructure integration and trusted frameworks that facilitate seamless cross-border transactions.
‘Trade Is Now Digital, Growth Is Cross-Border’
In his remarks, Ömer Nart described WORLDEF DUBAI as more than just an event, calling it “a meeting point for ideas, people and futures.”
“Trade is now digital, growth is cross-border, and success requires collaboration. Dubai understands this reality,” Nart said, noting that the forum aligns with Dubai’s Economic Agenda D33, which aims to expand the emirate’s economy, strengthen its position in global digital trade and connect markets, talent and innovation.
He emphasized that discussions at the forum covered policy, logistics, e-commerce, payments, artificial intelligence and trust, bringing together leaders from government, business and technology sectors.
The event also featured, for the first time, a dedicated “Startup Zone” hosting more than 50 startups, as well as country and ecosystem pavilions designed to connect markets, institutions and companies. WORLDEF additionally launched the WORLDEF Growth Network (WGN), a long-term platform aimed at fostering collaboration within the global digital trade ecosystem.
Nart announced that preparations for WORLDEF DUBAI 2027 are already underway, adding that next year’s edition will be “bigger, stronger and even more global.”
Source: Anadolu Ajansı/ Prepared by: İlayda Gök