GITEX Global will transition to Expo City next year, offering a fresh format, broader agenda, and an improved visitor experience to open new doors for every attendee, stated its senior executive.
Ayman Hassan, Vice-President – Commercial at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), noted that the move to Dubai Expo City in 2026 marks a pivotal evolution in GITEX Global’s 45-year history, utilizing the new venue’s size and infrastructure for future growth.
“The event will also permanently shift to December, coinciding with Dubai’s peak tourism season, creating an extraordinary ‘tech-cation’ that merges innovation with the city’s top-tier lifestyle and hospitality,” Hassan told BTR in a pre-event exclusive interview.
Significantly, he mentioned the relocation reunites GITEX Global and Expand North Star, reestablishing the synergy among global tech giants, startups, investors, and policymakers.
“These changes will forge a reimagined experience that magnifies impact and opens new opportunities for all participants,” he said.
Interview excerpts:
As DWTC hosts the final GITEX GLOBAL exhibition, what’s your plan to make it special?
This year is particularly significant as we celebrate the 45th GITEX Global at DWTC, the origin and growth site of the world’s largest tech, AI, and startup event. This edition is made even more special by the record participation and engagement from over 6,500 tech companies, including 2,000 startups, and tech delegations from over 180 countries.
This marks a global celebration of our remarkable journey over four decades and a symbolic grand finale before moving to Expo City Dubai next year. The show will honor DWTC’s legacy as the launchpad for GITEX Global and Expand North Star while paving the way for a bold new chapter in Dubai’s tech evolution.
Ayman Hassan
GITEX Global 2025 gathers tech giants co-creating the world’s most ambitious AI infrastructure, including Alibaba Cloud, AMD, AWS, Dell, e&, G42, Google, HPE, Huawei, IBM, Microsoft, Nvidia, Oracle, Salesforce, Siemens, and Snowflake. Visitors can also explore innovations from first-time exhibitors like Cerebras, Datadog, Mitsubishi, Qualcomm, Rital, ServiceNow, Tata Electronics, Telecom Italia, and Tenstorrent.
Another highlight is the unprecedented international participation, with Brazil as Country Partner showcasing its largest presence, and key partners like the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Tech Destination Pakistan, plus first-time pavilions from Canada, Chile, Ecuador, Spain, Türkiye, and emerging Central European economies — from Armenia to Georgia — joining.
What new initiatives are planned for GITEX Global’s 45th edition?
The 45th GITEX Global introduces bold initiatives focusing on future-critical sectors. We’re launching dedicated arenas under: GITEX Quantum Expo, Super Data Centres, Physical AI, and Semicon, crucial for future economic growth.
We’re also expanding digital healthcare with GITEX Digi Health and Biotech, alongside climate tech, while deepening showcases in intelligent connectivity, future mobility, and smart city innovations. Collaborating with the UAE Cybersecurity Council, GITEX Cyber Valley doubles in size to meet the rising demand for resilient cyber infrastructures amid growing AI threats.
How do you evaluate GITEX’s past 44 editions? Share key success reasons and plans to sustain this trend.
Reflecting on 44 editions, GITEX’s story is one of consistency, adaptability, and ambition. From a regional IT show in 1981, it evolved into the world’s largest tech and startup platform, trusted by governments and entrepreneurs. Success hinges on quality delivery and adapting to global tech changes. Trust, scale, and relevance are our hallmarks. To sustain this, we plan to expand into new industries and markets, raise excellence standards, and leverage our global network across 12 cities and countries, ensuring Dubai remains central to global digital transformation.
GITEX has become a global brand with expansions to Singapore, Vietnam, Asia, Africa, and Europe. Discuss its international growth and target markets.
GITEX has significantly shaped the UAE’s innovative ecosystem, centering on AI, blockchain, and cybersecurity, fostering connections between leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors with the UAE’s vision.
GITEX’s international expansion is a proud achievement. In three years, the brand has reached 12 countries spanning Europe, Africa, and Asia. Each expansion is strategic, entering nations prioritizing technology for growth, where GITEX serves as an accelerator.
This strategy fosters an equitable platform where emerging and established economies collaborate to shape tech’s future. It’s an event where political and cultural barriers fade in pursuit of advancing technology for global good.
Looking ahead, we’ll evaluate markets with demand and prioritize tech as a growth driver. The goal is to deepen GITEX’s role as a global innovation unifier, not just geographic expansion.
GITEX is crucial in establishing the UAE’s tech ecosystem by focusing on Innovation, AI, Blockchain, and Cybersecurity. What do you say?
GITEX has been vital in shaping the UAE’s innovative ecosystem by placing AI, blockchain, and cybersecurity at its core, creating an environment for leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors to connect with the UAE’s vision. The event is a nexus for capital, talent, and ideas, transforming Dubai into a living lab where new technologies are tested, scaled, and commercialized. This aligns with the UAE’s AI strategy and D33 agenda, making GITEX a catalyst for national progress.
How do GITEX summits and conferences attract global investors, entrepreneurs, and IT talent to the UAE?
GITEX summits and conferences are crucial, shaping the show’s impact. They are core platforms for policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers to tackle decisive issues, from AI ethics to innovation scaling. Attracting over 1,200 investors with $1.1 trillion in assets and 40 global unicorns, these conferences feature the largest lineup of CEOs and founders. This high-level knowledge exchange positions Dubai as a strategic hub for tech decisions, drawing talent and capital to the UAE’s ecosystem.
GITEX plays a key role in enhancing the digital economy regionally and globally. What do you say?
Yes, in 2023, DWTC events led by GITEX and Gulfood generated Dh7.22 billion in economic output, supporting Dubai’s D33 Agenda to double its economy by 2033. Our events’ growth inspired Dubai Exhibition Centre’s $2.72 billion expansion at Expo City, aiming to become the world’s largest indoor venue. This reflects sustained demand for large events and trust in Dubai’s global role.
GITEX’s global engagement strengthens international trade ties and creates pathways for foreign investment into the UAE and globally. Equally vital is the knowledge transfer and capacity-building enabling startups to scale, policies to evolve, and industries to modernize. By bridging innovation, investment, and impact, GITEX fortifies the digital economy for Dubai and all countries engaging with our platform.
