Abu Dhabi, UAE – Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi – Kizad Group, one of the largest operators of integrated and specialized economic zones in the region, is preparing. To host TouchDown Middle East 2026, the regional conference specializing in data centers. Which is being held for the first time in the UAE, in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
The fourth session of the conference, organized by the Gulf Data Centers Federation, will be held at the Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers Hotel. This will be on November 18 and 19, 2026.
strategic shift
The conference’s move to Abu Dhabi represents a strategic shift that confirms the depth of its regional influence. The UAE capital was chosen as the first stop on the conference’s regional expansion path after three consecutive sessions hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain.
TouchDown Middle East 2026 will bring together data center operators, investors and technology solution providers. Along with a group of government representatives, real estate sector leaders, energy experts, and decision-makers in the digital infrastructure sector. From various regional and international markets.
The conference is expected to witness wide participation, attracting more than 1,500 visitors. 400 companies participated, along with 70 speakers and specialists from more than 30 countries.
integrated programme
Over the course of two days, the conference offers an integrated program that includes keynote speeches, panel discussions and meetings. In addition to specialized sessions to shed light on the fundamental issues that shape the future of the sector. Most notable are energy supplies, logistics connectivity, site readiness, regulatory frameworks, and emerging investment opportunities in light of the growing demand for artificial intelligence solutions. The growth of cloud services and the trend towards building sustainable data centers.
Digital infrastructure constitutes a fundamental pillar within the next phase of economic growth in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. To meet the accelerating demand for artificial intelligence and sovereign cloud computing technologies. And giant data centers, in parallel with enhancing energy planning and industrial land readiness.
The “Abu Dhabi Digital Strategy 2025-2027” translates this vision by allocating a budget of 13 billion dirhams to support comprehensive digital transformation. Targeting full reliance on the sovereign cloud in government operations and 100% automation of government services. Developing more than 200 innovative solutions supported by artificial intelligence in public services.
A qualitative leap in computing
The Emirate of Abu Dhabi has achieved a qualitative leap in the field of high-power computing for artificial intelligence through the development of the “Stargate Emirates” project. It is a 1 GW computing complex within the broader UAE-US AI complex, which has a total capacity of 5 GW. The first phase, with a capacity of 200 megawatts, is expected to be operational during the current year.
Together, these steps reflect Abu Dhabi’s leading position in hosting the most prominent regional conferences specialized in data centers. And a major driver of the next wave of investments in artificial intelligence. Cloud computing and digital infrastructure.
The conference coincides with an accelerating surge in demand for digital infrastructure in the region. Driven by applications of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and data sovereignty. Along with the growth of smart industries, digital services for enterprises, and the expansion of high-capacity communication networks.
As the main sponsor of the conference, the KIZAD Group looks forward to strengthening dialogue among various stakeholders on ways to enhance integration between industrial zones. Logistics platforms, energy infrastructure, and the real estate sector. This contributes to creating an integrated system capable of absorbing and attracting the new wave of global investments in the data center sector.
