Dubai will cement its place as a leading global aviation hub when it hosts the 80^th International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) AGM this week.

Industry leaders will join 1,500 delegates to discuss and debate key industry topics such as sustainability, technology and diversity in the sector.

The AGM is taking place on June 2-4 in the United Arab Emirate having been hosted in Doha and Istanbul in 2022 and 2023 respectively.

His Excellency Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, minister of economy for the UAE will welcome delegates to Dubai with an opening keynote speech to the AGM.

Ahead of the opening of the AGM, Willie Walsh, IATA director general, said: “Dubai’s world-leading connectivity places it at the crossroads of the planet.

“And it will soon be the centre of the airline industry’s leadership as it hosts the 80th IATA Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit.

Sir Tim Clark, president of host airline Emirates, said: “We look forward to hosting our industry colleagues in Dubai, Emirates’ home and hub.

“This is a city that has forged its place in global aviation and prospered, thanks to its visionary leaders and progressive policies that recognize air transport’s role as a key economic enabler.

“In line with this, last year aviation contributed 27% to Dubai’s GDP and supported $37 billion in gross value added.

“There are always exciting new developments in Dubai, and I hope visiting delegates will get to a chance to experience this buzzing city and the UAE’s renowned hospitality for themselves.”

The World Air Transport Summit (WATS) follows the AGM with a programme looking at the critical issues facing aviation today.

Walsh said: “The commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 will top the agenda of the 80th IATA AGM and World Air Transport Summit.

“We will explore solutions to accelerate progress, particularly with the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and the potential for carbon removals.

“We’ll also take stock of our progress on safety, financial sustainability, and other key industry topics.

“It’s important that we put these challenges on the table so that all stakeholders, including governments, have a clear understanding of what airlines need to connect people and economies safely, efficiently, and ever more sustainably.”

During the summit a chief executive insights panel moderated by CNN’s Richard Quest will feature Vanessa Hudson, group chief executive and managing director of Qantas, Emirates’ Sir Tim Clark,  Scott Kirby, chief executive of United Airlines, Shai Weiss, and chief executive of Virgin Atlantic Airways.

The WATS agenda will feature a ‘big picture’ view of challenges facing the airline industry with changing energy markets, an increasingly complex global geopolitical situation, and shifting supply chains/trade patterns

It will also explore the potential for Artificial Intelligence in aviation, advancing sustainability with SAF and carbon removals, how aviation and tourism can work better together, and the prospects for air cargo.

The AGM will also see the IATA Diversity and Inclusion Awards handed out. these awards recognise organisations and individuals who are making a leadership contribution to the 25by2025 initiative to improve the gender balance in aviation.