Welcome to Panama, where global trade routes meet ideas, and collaboration drives opportunity. Here, the 12th World Free Zones Organization (World FZO) World Congress will bring together high-level officials, policymakers, free zone leaders, investors, and industry experts from around the world to exchange perspectives, share experiences, and shape the future of free zones and special economic regimes.
In a time of profound global transformation—marked by geopolitical change, digitalization, and sustainability imperatives—the Congress will focus on the evolving role of free zones as platforms for innovation, resilience, and inclusive growth. Through open dialogue and practical exchange, participants will explore how public–private collaboration can unlock new models for trade, investment, and industrial development.
Over the course of the Congress, the program will feature ministerial dialogues, CEO panels, technical workshops, and investment-focused sessions addressing key themes such as innovation-driven zones, digital and AI-enabled industries, green industrial transitions, and regional value chains. Designed to encourage meaningful interaction, the agenda will highlight global best practices while fostering partnerships and actionable outcomes.
Why Panama
Panama offers a natural and relevant setting for this global conversation. With 18 active free zones, the country has developed a mature ecosystem where public institutions and private operators work closely to facilitate trade, attract investment, and promote value-added economic activity. Supported by strong connectivity, modern infrastructure, and international business platforms, Panama’s free zones serve as integrated hubs linking regional and global markets. As host of the World FZO World Congress 2026, Panama invites participants to engage in forward-looking dialogue within a real-world environment where free zones are an essential part of national development and international economic integration. Join us on May 12th-14th in Panama City to connect, collaborate, and help shape the next chapter of free zones in the new global operating model.”
As intangible assets become the norm, zones must become incubators of R&D ecosystems, startups, and talent to power innovation-led industries
Automation, data analytics, and intelligent systems are creating smart manufacturing operations that zones can support with high-end digital backbones
Circular economy practices, renewable energy, and carbon-neutral operations are now essential drivers of global competitiveness that free zones must be able to offer
In an era of supply chain reconfiguration, zones have a unique opportunity to serve as anchors for production resilience and regional logistics integration
Chairman, Board of Directors World Free Zones Organization, UAE - WC2025
Secretary General IRU, Switzerland - WC2025
CEO World Free Zones Organization, UAE - WC2025
World-renowned economics professor, bestselling author, innovative educator, and global leader in sustainable development. - WC2025
Chairman of the Executive Board (WAIPA) / Co-Chair (GASEZ), Switzerland - WC2025
Manager of the Integration and Trade Sector - Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) - AICE2015
Vice President - International Road Union - AICE2023
Global Economist, Fmr Minister of Trade & Industry - AICE2022
www.christoph-neumann.com
Chairman - Alliance Business Centers - AICE2015
Global Product Leader - World Bank Group - AICE2017
Head - UNIDO-ITPO - WC2024
Director General - BADEA - WC2024
Secretary General - AfCFTA - WC2024
Chairman of the Board - National Association of Foreign-Trade Zones (NAFTZ) - AICE2015
Director-General - Transnational Alliance of Combat Illicit Trade - AICE2023
Chairman - Siemens and member of WEF Board of Trustees - WC2024
Deputy Secretary General - UNCTAD - AICE2016
Former Emerging Markets Editor/Anchor - CNN - WC2024
Economist - OECD - AICE2015
Global Head of Trade & Customs Consulting - Maersk A.P. Moller - AICE2023
Chairman, IFZA - WC2024
Director General - International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union - AICE2023
President - China Institute for Reform and Development - WC2024
Founding Director - CGGC, Duke University - AICE2016
Deputy Secretary General - World Customs Organization - AICE2023
Chief Economist and Director Economic Research and Statistics Division - World Trade Organization - AICE 2016
Deputy Secretary General - International Organisation of Employers - AICE2016
Former Premier of South Australia - WC2024
The World FZO World Congress 2026 is not designed as a traditional conference. It is a working platform where the next generation of Free Zone models, industrial strategies, and cross-border collaborations are actively shaped.
Sponsorship is therefore an invitation to co-create outcomes, not simply support an event.
As global industries face fragmentation, technological disruption, and sustainability pressures, the Congress serves as a neutral global space where governments, zones, and the private sector collectively test ideas, align priorities, and translate dialogue into action. Sponsors contribute to this process, helping move the conversation from policy to implementation.
By sponsoring the Congress, organizations take part in:
To support this collaborative approach, the Congress offers a range of sponsorship categories and exhibitor opportunities, allowing organizations to engage at different strategic levels.
World Congress 2026 is about building shared answers to shared challenges, how industries will locate, operate, decarbonize, digitise, and scale in the years ahead. Sponsors are not positioned on the sidelines but embedded in the process of defining these answers.
For more details or any inquiries related to sponsorship, please contact Talha Khan at Talha.khan@worldfzo.org.
11th World FZO World Congress 2025
IFZA is the most dynamic and truly international Free Zone Community in the UAE, optimizing the country’s strategic location and world-class infrastructure. IFZA differentiates itself through its multi-national approach, providing personalised business establishment solutions through its Professional Partners and a strategic network of Government and Non-Government stakeholders.
Business Licences
Business owners can rely on a multi-national, multi-lingual team who can advise on thousands of business activities within three distinct types: Professional, Commercial and Industrial. Foreign incorporated companies may also register a branch at IFZA.<
Value-Added Services
Based in the IFZA Business Park in Dubai, IFZA continues to support business needs beyond company formation within its unique ecosystem that includes world class corporate training, corporate banking assistance, health insurance coverage, modern commercial real estate, office design and fitout, corporate transport, event management services, and more.
Join 600 product managers, designers, founders, engineers – and everything in between – to learn, eat, chat and have a great time. Join 600 product managers, designers, founders, engineers – and everything in between – to learn, eat, chat and have a great time.
