The summit discusses the future of the Arab industry, competitiveness, sustainability, and green transformation with the participation of 47 speakers across 10 specialized sessions.
The 19th Arab Steel Summit commenced today, Tuesday, November 3, 2026, organized by the Arab Iron and Steel Union (AISU) in Cairo, under the patronage of Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt, and with the participation of Eng. Khaled Hashem, Minister of Industry, Eng. Ahmed Ezz, Chairman of the Union, along with a galaxy of senior officials and leaders of Arab and international iron and steel companies.
The summit is held on November 3 and 4 at the Nile Ritz-Carlton Hotel Cairo, concurrently with the International Iron and Steel Exhibition, as part of AISU's efforts to promote dialogue and cooperation between Arab and international industrial institutions, discuss current challenges facing the sector, and explore growth and development opportunities in the coming phase.
The current edition witnesses broad participation from executive leaderships of iron and steel producing companies, mining companies, technology and industrial service providers, and international economic and financial institutions. The conference agenda includes 10 specialized sessions with 47 speakers, addressing the most prominent strategic issues related to the future of the Arab steel industry.
Arab Company Presidents' Summit
The first day's proceedings are topped by the Arab Company Presidents' Summit session, under the title 'The Arab Steel Industry in a Changing World: Towards a More Competitive and Sustainable Future,' chaired by Eng. Ahmed Ezz, Chairman of the Arab Iron and Steel Union.
The session includes the participation of Abdul Qader Al-Mubarak, CEO and Managing Director of Hadeed Saudi Company, Eng. Saeed Ghumran Al-Rumaithi, CEO of Emirates Steel Group, and Suleiman Arar, President of the Algerian Iron and Steel Complex (SNS).
The session discusses the main trends of the Arab steel industry in light of global economic and trade transformations, and the role of industrial leaders in enhancing the competitiveness of Arab producers, and developing growth and sustainability strategies.
The summit also addresses global steel trade disruptions and the challenges facing Arab producers in domestic and export markets, in light of growing protectionist measures and changes in international trade policies.
Economic and Technological Transformations in the Steel Industry
The first day's agenda includes a keynote speech by Dr. Youssef Boutros Ghali, former Minister of Finance of Egypt, on the future of global economies in light of the changing economic and political landscape.
Sessions also discuss emerging technologies and the future of the steel industry, with the participation of leaders from Danieli, Tenova, SMS Group, and Primetals Technologies, to review technological developments and engineering solutions that contribute to improving production processes and increasing factory efficiency.
The summit also examines benchmarking in the iron and steel industry, supporting the exchange of expertise and evaluation of industrial performance according to global best practices.
Sustainability and Low-Carbon Steel
The summit pays special attention to green transformation issues, the economics of low-carbon steel production, and direct reduced iron technologies, in light of increasing changes in international market demands and environmental regulations.
Sessions discuss the impact of the European Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) on the Arab steel industry, challenges related to the costs of technological transformation, and ways to enhance the ability of Arab companies to adapt to new environmental standards.
Discussions also cover the role of artificial intelligence and automation in developing smart factories, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing the competitiveness of the Arab industry.
Financing Industrial Projects and Promoting Investment
The summit's proceedings address financing models for iron and steel projects, through integration between government, institutional, banking, and green financing, with the aim of supporting industrial investments and developing the production infrastructure.
The second day of the summit includes discussions on financing sustainable industrial transformation, with the participation of experts and representatives of international financial institutions, alongside specialized sessions on Arab steel markets, energy and raw material challenges, and opportunities for developing industrial investments.
International Iron and Steel Exhibition
The summit's activities coincide with the opening of the International Iron and Steel Exhibition, which includes 27 companies from 12 countries, showcasing the latest products, technologies, equipment, and industrial solutions related to the iron and steel industry.
The exhibition provides a platform for direct interaction between producing companies and technology and service providers, and for exploring cooperation opportunities and commercial and industrial partnerships.
A group of leading companies in the sector are sponsoring the summit and exhibition, most notably Ezz Steel as the host sponsor, along with Qatar Steel, Al Ezz Dekheila Steel (Al Ezz), El-Meky Steel, and Qandil Steel, and a number of specialized international companies.
The first day's events conclude with a cultural program including a visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum and a dinner banquet sponsored by Ezz Steel.
The 19th Arab Steel Summit comes as part of AISU's role in supporting Arab industrial cooperation and providing a platform for dialogue between producers, decision-makers, and experts, contributing to enhancing the competitiveness of the Arab steel industry, developing its production and technological capabilities, and keeping pace with global industry transformations.
