The UAE Restaurant Group (UAERG) has set a clear and delivery focused agenda for 2026 following its recent annual general meeting and board meeting in Dubai.
Bringing together board members and the wider membership, the meetings focused on strengthening the UAE foodservice ecosystem through collaboration, capability building, and alignment with national priorities. Importantly, discussions signaled a shift from dialogue to execution, setting a decisive tone for the year ahead.
During the sessions, UAERG reaffirmed its role as a unifying industry platform for the sector. Members reviewed progress and agreed on priorities that will shape the next phase of growth for the UAE food and beverage industry. As a result, the 2026 agenda centers on delivering greater member value and driving measurable outcomes across the market.
UAERG outlines 2026 roadmap
A key outcome of the meetings was the formal reactivation of UAERG committees, with strong representation from both board members and operators. These committees are designed to act as delivery engines, ensuring initiatives remain practical, operationally relevant, and aligned with national direction.
The Sustainability Committee will advance circular economy initiatives across the sector, including food loss and waste measurement, reduction strategies, and sustainable bio waste pathways. In parallel, the Education and Innovation Technology Committee will focus on building industry capability through practical toolkits, training programs, pilot projects, and structured sharing of best practices.
To strengthen engagement, the Membership Engagement and Events Committee will curate a quarterly calendar of sessions, supplier led workshops, and member showcases. Meanwhile, the Government Relations and Advocacy Committee will consolidate industry feedback and support policy aligned implementation through structured engagement with relevant authorities.
UAERG confirmed that all committee led initiatives will align with key national programs, including Ne ma’s goal to halve food loss and waste by 2030, the UAE Circular Economy Policy 2021 to 2031, and workforce development through NAFIS.
“Our AGM and Board Meeting reaffirmed UAERG’s role as a delivery platform for the sector,” said Chairman Abdulla Al Mulla. Vice Chairman Amit Nayak added that the focus for 2026 is practical execution that delivers scalable impact.
Looking ahead, UAERG plans to strengthen member engagement, expand partnerships, and collaborate internationally to support long term growth, innovation, and sustainability across the UAE food and beverage ecosystem.
