A comprehensive overview of the forum’s agenda, sessions, and business engagements
Held under the theme: “Sustainable Development Through the Halal Industry”
The second edition of the Makkah Halal Forum 2025, held under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, Minister of Commerce, concluded with remarkable success. Over the course of three impactful days, the forum brought together leaders of the halal industry, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and global institutions from over 120 countries, establishing itself as a premier international platform for halal dialogue, innovation, and collaboration.
Day One: High-Level Opening and Strategic Vision
The forum opened with a keynote speech by H.E. Dr. Al-Qasabi, emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s commitment—through Vision 2030 and the National Halal Products Strategy—to becoming a global hub for halal. The Minister also announced the launch of a specialized training center aimed at building national capabilities in the halal sector.
Several high-level cooperation agreements were signed on the opening day, including partnerships between the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and the Halal Products Development Company, and between Saudi and international academic and trade institutions.
Strategic Dialogue Sessions: Shaping the Future of Halal
Across three days, the forum hosted 15 thought-provoking panel sessions with 50+ international speakers, covering a wide array of vital topics such as:
- Industrial innovation in the halal food & beverage sector
- Empowering women in halal entrepreneurship
- Cross-border collaboration for a sustainable halal economy
- The role of Sharia in ensuring halal integrity and sustainability
- Halal technology and digital transformation
- Islamic approaches to supply chain management
- Saudi Arabia’s global leadership in halal ecosystem development
The sessions highlighted the need for unified halal standards, increased innovation, and collaborative strategies to address the complexity and diversity of global halal markets.
Workshops: Equipping Businesses with Knowledge
The forum featured three hands-on workshops led by global experts and institutions, focusing on:
- The role of education in enabling halal industry growth (organized by FAMBRAS – Brazil)
- Market opportunities and challenges in the global halal economy (Halal Trade and Marketing Center)
- Entry strategies into the Saudi halal market (Saudi Halal Center)
These sessions attracted a wide range of participants, including entrepreneurs, SMEs, and investors.
