UAE-IX Peering Workshop And Networking Cruise

WHEN: 25 November 2025
WHERE: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

WHY: The UAE-IX Peering Workshop and Cruise brought together industry leaders, network operators, and technical experts from across the interconnection ecosystem for a full day of technical workshops, keynote presentations, panel discussions, and strategic networking. Hosted by DE-CIX and Datamena, the event featured insights into next-generation hubbing, AI-driven infrastructure trends, and regional connectivity challenges. After the workshop sessions, attendees continued meaningful conversations and relationship building during an evening cruise along Dubai Marina’s scenic coastline, where industry discourse blended with community engagement in one of the Middle East’s leading digital hubs.

A quick snapshot to capture a great moment
Networking in full swing as [L] Abdulrahman al Marzouqi (TDRA) and [R] Ivo Ivanov (DE-CIX) connect between sessions
Networking in full flow—building connections that shape the future of tech
Ivo Ivanov (DE-CIX) kicking off the UAE‑IX Peering Workshop with a full house and big ideas
Marco Brandstätter (DE-CIX) presenting the day’s agenda
(Standing) [L] Bernd Spiess (DE-CIX) with [R] Abdulrahman al Marzouqi (TDRA)
Abou Moustafa (Datamena) discussing global AI infrastructure migration
Panelists sharing insights during the discussion session
Roque Lozano (NOKIA) outlining market dynamics in network infrastructure
[L] Kamel Tawil (Equinix) posing with [R] Mohammad Naji (DU)
AI in Use: a closing session before a coffee break
Award ceremony with recipients on stage together with the speakers and panel members
From [L] to [R]: Abdulla Ahli (DU), Mohamed Halith (edara), Roque Lozano (NOKIA)
Vladimir Prodanovic (NVIDIA) presenting on building AI factories for the future