Hat yai: The 15th World Halal Exhibition and Conference commenced on August 2, 2026, at the Prince of Songkla University International Convention Centre in Hat Yai, Thailand. The event is recognized as a significant international platform dedicated to halal trade, scientific research, and innovation, attracting participation from member and observer countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
According to Union of OIC News Agencies, the event was organized in collaboration with the Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation of the OIC (COMSTECH) and the Halal Institute at Prince of Songkla University. Under the theme "Health and Innovation in the Halal Industry," it united researchers, policymakers, halal accreditation bodies, entrepreneurs, scientists, and academics from various countries, including Bahrain, Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Uzbekistan. The exhibition featured the latest products, technologies, services, and scientific research aimed at enhancing the global halal ecosystem.
The opening ceremony witnessed the presence of government officials, ambassadors, industry leaders, university representatives, and international academic and diplomatic figures. During the event, a memorandum of understanding was exchanged between COMSTECH and Prince of Songkla University, which had initially been signed electronically in April 2026. This agreement aims to bolster institutional cooperation in halal science, research, training, and innovation.
Following the opening, the first roundtable meeting of HAPEX Global Leaders was jointly organized by COMSTECH and the Halal Institute. Participants discussed the status of the halal industry in OIC member and observer countries and explored ways to develop joint platforms for cooperation in scientific research, innovation, and capacity building.
COMSTECH General Coordinator, Professor Dr. Mohammad Iqbal Chowdhury, expressed his gratitude to Prince of Songkla University and the Halal Institute for hosting this international event. He praised the growing partnership between the university and COMSTECH and emphasized the rapid growth of the halal industry. Chowdhury highlighted the need for strengthening scientific research, establishing internationally recognized standards, fostering innovation, and creating effective partnerships between universities, research centers, regulatory bodies, and the industrial sector.
He further stated that COMSTECH, as the Standing Ministerial Committee on Science and Technology of the OIC, continues to promote scientific cooperation, technology transfer, and capacity building among member states. Chowdhury reiterated COMSTECH's full support for establishing platforms that unite universities, research institutions, governments, standardization and accreditation bodies, and the private sector to contribute to the international development of the halal system.
Chowdhury also expressed confidence that the meeting's outcomes would lead to practical partnerships in halal research, development, vocational training, testing, accreditation, and innovation, thereby boosting the competitiveness of OIC member states in global markets.
Speakers at the conference emphasized that the halal economy now extends beyond food industries to include healthcare, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, tourism, Islamic finance, logistics, digital technologies, and advanced industries. They underscored the importance of innovation and international cooperation in shaping the future of this expanding sector.
The conference continues with specialized scientific sessions, policy dialogues, business meetings, and exhibitions, aiming to foster cooperation between governments, universities, scientific research institutions, and the private sector, and to open new horizons for investment and innovation in the rapidly growing global halal market.