WFZO Team Attends AI Everything Abu Dhabi 2026

The WFZO joined zones from across Europe and the Western Balkan countries for a regional meeting titled “From Free Zones to Innovation Ecosystems: Intellectual Property as a Driver of Competitiveness”. The meeting was jointly organized by the OECD and EUIPO and hosted between 22 and 23 October 2026 by the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona (CZFB), whose CEO, Blanca Sorigue, is also the Vice Chair of the World Free Zones Organization. Dr Matthew Stephenson, WFZO CEO, spoke on a panel on “FTZs as Innovation Hubs”, providing a global view to the regional audience. He asserted that innovation happens where talent, technology and capital meet in a place the innovator trusts - summarizing WFZO’s guidance in two frameworks, SPARK and GROW, and confirming that WFZO will add good governance certification training to its program from 2027.

What makes a zone innovative? Not tax incentives, and not the land. Drawing on WFZO’s experience across more than 1,600 members in 136 countries, CEO Dr Matthew Stephenson argues that innovation requires trust — then nine practical actions, in two frameworks any zone can adopt: SPARK, which creates the conditions for innovation, and GROW, which builds the ecosystem that sustains it.

Dr Matthew Stephenson, Chief Executive Officer of the World Free Zones Organization (WFZO), addressed the 9th Interregional Petroleum and Natural Gas Enterprises Conference (IPEC 2026) by video message on 22 October 2026. Speaking at the conference held in Zhoushan, China, from 21 to 23 October, he said that innovation in zone design must be complemented by cooperation among economic zones.

WFZO Chief Executive Officer Dr Matthew Stephenson joined an expert panel at a webinar hosted by the Africa Economic Zones Organization (AEZO) in collaboration with UN Tourism, outlining how well-designed tourism zones can help turn Africa’s tourism growth into investment, jobs and shared local value.

WFZO joined technology leaders, governments and zone operators in Abu Dhabi to explore the latest trends in artificial intelligence and to build new connections across the AI ecosystem.

Talks at FAO Headquarters explore a joint initiative to unlock the potential of agro-industrial parks

WFZO Chief Executive Officer Dr. Matthew Stephenson represented the organization at the 2026 Hangzhou Dialogue on Special Economic Zones in BRICS countries alongside the the 5th Global Digital Trade Expo, delivering a keynote that outlined the potential for collaboration between SEZs in the BRICS and in the rest of the world.

The World Free Zones Organization (WFZO) brought special economic zones into discussions on global investment, resilience and sustainable growth at AIM Congress 2026, participating in five high-level sessions at Dubai World Trade Center.

Strengthening trade and investment cooperation across the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)

WFZO Chief Executive Officer Dr Matthew Stephenson represented the organization at the 2026 2026 Hangzhou Dialogue on Special Economic Zones in BRICS countries alongside the the 5th Global Digital Trade Expo, delivering a keynote that outlined the potential for collaboration between SEZs in the BRICS and in the rest of the world .

Led by H.E. Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Chairman of the World Free Zones Organization (WFZO), a delegation from the WFZO visited Thailand, Viet Nam, and the Philippines to build bridges between the global zone ecosystem and what is taking place in these three dynamic Southeast Asian economies. Exciting things are happening in all three countries in terms of new zones, new zone models, and zone-driven economic growth. In Thailand, zones are entering a new phase of specialization, with the Board of Investment reporting a record amount in investment applications in the first half of 2026. In Viet Nam, the government is piloting its first Free Trade Zones in Da Nang, Hai Phong, and Ho Chi Minh City, marking a structural shift toward multi-functional, internationally competitive zones. And in the Philippines, home to more than 430 operating economic zones, organizations expressed strong interest in hosting a future WFZO World Congress in the country. In total, across 22 meeting the delegation engaged with 43 organizations, of which 27 were zones or zone associations.

Developed with Ankura, Knowledge Partner to the World Free Zones Organization (WFZO), this report distils the key insights, challenges, and opportunities emerging from the WFZO World Congress 2026, held in Panama in May 2026. The Congress brought together more than 2,000 policymakers, investors, free zone leaders, developers, and business executives from over 70 countries to exchange perspectives, explore emerging trends, and shape the future of free and special economic zones worldwide.

WFZO CEO Dr. Matthew Stephenson championed economic zones as the world's most effective engines for investment, growth, and economic transformation.

The OneZone Platform is now live and ready to help members connect with the global zone community, access resources, discover opportunities, and engage with peers worldwide. Members are encouraged to log in, update their profiles, and explore the platform’s range of knowledge, learning, and networking tools. Members who have not received their login details are invited to contact the WFZO team for assistance. Organizations that are not yet members can also discover how WFZO membership provides access to a trusted international network and exclusive resources through OneZone.

WFZO launched the One Zone Platform at the 12th World Congress in Panama, enhancing digital connectivity, member engagement and collaboration.

Congress kicks off with a high-level participation led by the President of the Republic of Panama.

As the 11th WFZO Annual International Conference concluded in Hainan, our shared mission to shape the next generation of global free zones entered a new phase.