12:00 PM - 09:30 PM

REGISTRATION DESK OPENS
Event Centre, InterContinental Dubai Festival City

07:15 PM - 09:30 PM

ALVEAN WELCOME RECEPTION
Leisure Deck at Poolside, Crowne Plaza Dubai – Festival City

06:30 AM - 08:00 AM

BREAKFAST
Vista Lounge & Terrace, InterContinental Dubai Festival City
Sponsored by Al Khaleej Sugar & Emeterra

09:00 AM - 09:05 AM

OPENING AUDIO VISUAL
Al Ras Ballroom

09:15 AM - 09:30 AM

INTRODUCTION TO THE CONFERENCE

Jacob Robbins
Chief Executive Officer, Emeterra
Speaker

10:00 AM - 10:15 AM

THE GLOBAL SUGAR INDUSTRY LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Serge Varsano
Chairman of the Management Board of Sucden – Recipient

11:15 AM - 11:30 AM

REFRESHMENT BREAK
Sponsored by BTG Pactual Commodities

12:15 PM - 01:00 PM

SESSION 3 | TWISTED EVERY WAY
Grand Macro Strategy – Who Has the Cards?
Sponsored by Rabobank

In a world when a grand game is afoot with the US, the EU, China and Russia as key actors, who has the cards? A question that created some discomfort for a White House guest just under a year ago! Volatility, unpredictability, and the propensity for chaos are all alive and well. This is indeed in keeping with the lyrics of the song “Twisted Every Way” that inspired the title of this session:
“Ludicrous, have you seen the score?
Simply ludicrous
It's the final straw
This is lunacy, well, you know my views
Utter lunacy
But we daren't refuse”
The ever-entertaining Jan Lambregts of Rabobank will give us a view of the green felt of the card table, while Brad Sullivan of ICE Futures US will probe to make sense of it all and arrive at implications for some of the key drivers that will impact the sugar world.

Brad Sullivan
Chief Operating Officer, ICE Futures US
Moderator

Jan Lambregts
Head of RaboResearch Global Economics & Markets, Rabobank
Speaker

02:30 PM - 03:00 PM

WORKSHOP 1 | AI-DRIVEN INITIATIVE FOR SUGAR EXCELLENCE
Al Ras Ballroom
Sponsored by Stomata Labs

Anand Mahurkar
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Findability Sciences

Guillermo Medina
Chief Digital Analytics Officer, Pantaleon Sugar Holdings

03:30 PM - 03:45 PM

REFRESHMENT BREAK
Sponsored by CZ

05:15 PM - 05:30 PM

Coaches leave for The Sucden Gala Dinner
From outside the Event Centre, InterContinentalDubai Festival City

06:30 AM - 08:30 AM

BREAKFAST
Vista Lounge & Terrace, InterContinental Dubai Festival City
Sponsored by Al Khaleej Sugar & Emeterra

09:00 AM - 09:45 AM

SESSION 4 | MASQUERADE
What Will We Find Out About India?
Al Ras Ballroom
Sponsored by Nirani Sugars

India will be seeing a recovery to a large crop in 2025/26 of around 31 million tonnes, with the Government allowing the export of 1.5 million tonnes of sugar. The increase reflects favourable growing conditions and an improved monsoon, leading to expectations of a comfortable supply position. The current exports allowed should be the base case with potential for higher levels as sugar production will likely continue to grow in 2026/27. How much sugar can the Government justify for exports? Much is predicated on the offtake of sugarcane ethanol for the automotive sector in India with the growth of India’s E20 programme. Sugarcane ethanol is still only around 30% of the ethanol mix when considering other feedstock sources such as maize and rice. Throw into the mix the potential for a flex-fuel fleet on the one hand and EVs to mitigate demand on the other, and there seems to be a real Masquerade at play! What lies beneath the mask and how do we make sense of it all? We’ll kick off this session with the views of ISMA, as articulated by its President, Niraj Shirgaokar, and in a first, from Prashant Banerjee, Executive Director of SIAM, India’s body of automobile manufacturers. 

Ravi Gupta
Director, Shree Renuka Sugars
Moderator

Niraj Shirgaokar
President, Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA)
Speaker

Prashant K Banerjee
Executive Director, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM)
Speaker

Deepak Ballani
Director General, Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA)
Panellist

Anup Kumar
Managing Director, Sucden India
Panellist

Vishal Nirani
Managing Director, Nirani Sugars
Panellist

10:30 AM - 11:15 AM

SESSION 6 | THINK OF ME
A Deep Dive into Sugar Consumption

Our view of the sugar market would be incomplete if we did not think of the all-important side of the equation – consumption. While global demand growth has slowed, with changes in consumer attitudes and the regulatory environment, to what extent will this be offset by the growth of sugar consumption in Africa and several countries in Asia? Then there has been the growth of GLP-1 weight loss drugs, with oral forms now approved and generics on the cards. But these drugs typically work only as long as they are taken, with weight being regained if stopped. There are also growing concerns about serious side effects. Consumer concerns about the health issues associated with artificial sweeteners also persist. What does all this mean on balance? Annie Denny of the WSRO will take us through the science and John Adams of GlobalData will walk us through the hard data and forecasts. Jacob Robbins will moderate the discussion pulling José Orive of the ISO to provide his global perspective. Will it be sugar reflecting the words of “Think of Me” suggesting our enduring love story with sugar?
“Think of me, think of me fondly
When we've said goodbye
Remember me, once in a while
Please, promise me you'll try
We never said our love was evergreen
Or as unchanging as the sea
But please promise me that sometimes
You will think...
Of me!”

Jacob Robbins
Chief Executive Officer, Emeterra
Moderator

Annie Denny
Director General, World Sugar Research Organisation (WSRO)
Speaker

John Adams
Director of Sugar Research, GlobalData
Speaker

José Orive
Executive Director, International Sugar Organization (ISO)
Panellist

11:45 AM - 01:00 PM

INTERNATIONAL SUGAR QUIZ
Sponsored by Garden Court Distilleries

It's time to battle it out again and win with the edge of knowledge and alacrity. Are you ready, sugar expertise sharpened? Three brilliant teams, who will get the trophy?

And so that no one misses out on the fun and the chance to win, we kick off the proceedings with THE AUDIENCE QUIZ. Up for grabs is the Audience Prize: a stunning Space Grey 11-inch Apple iPad Air.

Let's play.

Jeff Bauml
Managing Director, J Bauml & Co
Quiz Master

TEAM ASIA PACIFIC

Nidhi Goel
Director, Sugar Procurement & Commodity Risk Management (APAC), The Coca-Cola Company

Kapil Nema
Deputy Executive Director, Sugar & Ethanol, Dalmia Bharat Sugar & Industries

Desmond Ngiam
Senior Trader (Asia Region), Golden Agri-Resources
 
TEAM EUROPE

Steven Burke
Senior Economist, GlobalData

Charles Funnell
Managing Director, CF Commodities 

Carlota Valdivieso
Sugar Market Analyst, Barry Callebaut

TEAM SOUTH AMERICA

Karina El Azar
Commercial & Financial Resources Manager, Nicaragua Sugar Estates 

Rafael Marcos
Manager, Commodity Price Risk Management, Sugar, Mondelez International

José Orive
Executive Director, International Sugar Organization (ISO)

02:30 PM - 04:00 PM

AI LITERACY TECH LAB
Al Ras Ballroom

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a distant buzzword. It is already reshaping how commodities are traded, decisions are made, productivity is improved and risks are managed. Consistent with the focus on AI in this year’s Conference, we will feature a high-impact, 90-minute session on AI Literacy, designed for senior leaders in the sugar industry. In this Tech Lab, we will cut through the hype and demystify AI in practical, business-first terms. Attendees will explore real-world use cases of AI in sugar trading, market forecasting and risk analysis, and experience a live interactive walkthrough of the latest generative AI tools. From using AI as a research partner and data analyst to enhancing communication and decision-making, this Tech Lab shows how leaders can harness AI safely, responsibly and profitably. Expect frameworks for choosing the right tools, strategies for embedding AI in an organization and a candid look at how leadership must evolve in the age of intelligence. Walk away equipped with clarity, confidence and a competitive edge.

Please present your invitation card to attend this Session.
Invitation cards have been provided to Sponsors.

Jaspreet Bindra
Founder, AI & Beyond and Tech Whisperer

Anuj Magazine
Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer, AI & Beyond

06:30 AM - 08:30 AM

BREAKFAST
Vista Lounge & Terrace, InterContinental Dubai Festival City
Sponsored by Al Khaleej Sugar & Emeterra

09:00 AM - 09:45 AM

SESSION 7 | WISHING YOU WERE SOMEHOW HERE AGAIN
What Could Change the Game in Europe?
Al Ras Ballroom
Sponsored by Limako Suiker

With production of around 17 million tonnes, the EU 27+UK remains an important part of the global sugar balance sheet. While consumption remains static, in general the EU has been a steady importer. The market was awash with news of the recent EU-Mercosur deal, but the European Parliament chose to vote to refer the long-awaited trade agreement to the Court of Justice of the EU for a legal opinion – a process that may take up to two years. Did the lawmakers deal a serious blow to Europe’s credibility at a moment when speed and reliability matter more than ever? The general view appears to be that producers must cut back acreage further in 2026/27 to reduce stocks. Growers are being persuaded to reduce the area planted in 2026/27, but will they follow through? If the area does decrease and yields are more normal, the market could move into deficit with the need to import CXL sugar. What would this do push up the current low level of prices? What could change the game in Europe? What would it take to see prices that were “somehow here again”? Will this become a reality or remain a dream? Mirroring the lyrics of the song chosen as the title for this session:
“Wishing you were
 Somehow here again
 Wishing you were
 Somehow near
 Sometimes it seemed
 If I just dreamed
 Somehow you would
 Be here”

Martin Todd
Founding Consultant, MRT Advisory
Moderator

Stephen Geldart
Head of Analysis, CZ
Speaker

Marion Hoff
Sales Director Europe, Tereos
Panellist

Daniel Kerkhof
Managing Director, Limako Suiker
Panellist

10:30 AM - 11:15 AM

SESSION 9 | MUSIC OF THE NIGHT
How Sweet Will AI Be for Ocean Freight?

The commercial landscape for global ocean freight and port operation is being increasingly shaped by AI, with important implications for the movement of both bulk raws and containerized whites. As logistics costs and reliability play a growing role in price formation and market access, AI is becoming a critical tool in managing complexity and risk. Across ocean freight, AI-driven systems are improving vessel deployment, route optimization and chartering decisions by integrating real-time data on weather, congestion, fuel costs and demand patterns. Artificial Intellgence supports better equipment allocation, schedule reliability and more dynamic pricing, helping to stabilize historically volatile freight flows. Within ports and terminals, AI applications in berth planning, yard management and cargo sequencing are reducing congestion and turnaround times. Greater predictability lowers storage costs, protects cargo quality and shortens cash cycles across the supply chain. Commercially, these developments increase transparency, compress freight spreads and improve arbitrage execution between origins and destinations. To what extent will AI-driven logistics performance become a key competitive differentiator? Will shippers, buyers and the shipping industry hear “the music of the night"? Let's hear from those in the know.

Arslan Khan
Area Sales Director, Hapag-Lloyd Middle East
Moderator / Speaker

Ahmed Badri
Vice President – General Cargo and RORO Ports & Terminal Commercial, DP World
Panellist

Austin Detmer
Global Accounts Director, Covantis
Panellist

Jeremy Reynolds
Managing Director, Crest Trade Services
Panellist

11:45 AM - 12:30 PM

SESSION 10 | THE LEADERS' GUIDE TO THE INTELLIGENT GALAXY
How Does Sugar Navigate the AI Highway?

Much like the universe in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, today’s business environment is vast, fast-moving and occasionally bewildering. Artificial Intelligence has arrived not as a distant sci-fi concept, but as a powerful force already reshaping how sugar is grown, processed, traded and delivered. The promise is compelling – from precision agriculture and operational efficiency to smarter supply chains and deeper market insights – but the path forward is not always clearly signposted. In true Hitchhiker’s fashion, success may depend on having the right guide, asking the right questions and above all, not panicking. We are privileged to be joined by the leaders of four significant sugar producers, navigating this intelligent galaxy in real time. Bringing their perspectives from diverse geographies, they will share their candid views on the opportunities and challenges of adopting AI at scale. Crucially, we will elicit their advice on how leadership can chart a practical, confident course through the AI highway ahead. 

Jacob Robbins
Chief Executive Officer, Emeterra
Moderator

Jamal Al Ghurair
Managing Director, Al Khaleej Sugar
Panellist

Dr Lars Gorissen
Chief Executive Officer, Nordzucker
Panellist

Diego  Herrera
Chief Executive Officer, Pantaleon Group
Panellist

Olivier Leducq
Chief Executive Officer, Tereos
Panellist

01:00 PM - 03:00 PM

AL KHALEEJ SUGAR GALA LUNCHEON
The Promenade, InterContinental Dubai Festival City

04:30 PM - 06:30 PM

THE BURJ KHALIFA EXPERIENCE
Sponsored by Savola Group