Diplomacy and high-level networking at Dutch Reception during VIV MEA

As the second day of the VIV MEA trade show drew to a close, a well-attended Dutch reception took place on Wednesday, 26 November at the Brick Rooftop Terrace of the Aloft Hotel Abu Dhabi. The gathering, organized by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Dutch Poultry Centre, and VIV worldwide, brought together dozens of international partners in an informal yet representative setting.

On the rooftop, twelve floors above the illuminated city, Ambassador Gerard Steeghs, DPC President Jan Wolleswinkel, and Royal Jaarbeurs CEO Jeroen van Hooff welcomed guests in an atmosphere that encouraged open conversation. Representatives of Dutch companies, policymakers, trade partners, and stakeholders from the broader agri-food chain took the opportunity to strengthen existing connections and explore new collaborations.

The reception highlighted the visibility of the Netherlands at VIV MEA and emphasized the country’s role as a partner in innovation, food security, and sustainable agriculture in the region. Throughout the evening, discussions focused on both the challenges and opportunities in the Gulf States, ranging from smart farming to food chain optimization.

Although the event was scheduled from 18:00 to 20:00, the energy remained vibrant until the very end. The combination of the open-air venue, the professional mix of attendees, and the shared momentum of the trade fair made the reception a valuable networking platform.

For many, the evening served not only as a conclusion to the exhibition day, but also as confirmation of the strong and growing network between the Netherlands and the GCC region’s agri-food sector.