The 11th Annual World FZO World Congress took place in Haikou, Hainan, marking the first time the event was hosted in China and attracting over 1,000 delegates from more than 70 countries, emphasizing Asia's increasing role in global trade.

During the congress, Zarooni highlighted China's leadership in global trade reform, sustainability, and digital transformation, with Hainan emerging as a pioneering high-level free trade port under the Belt and Road Initiative, serving as a model of innovation and international connectivity.

Mohammed Al Zarooni praised Hainan's development as China's flagship free trade port, noting its success in fostering innovation, institutional reform, and global integration.

The congress underscored the evolving role of free zones from mere trade facilitators to dynamic innovation ecosystems that support SMEs, entrepreneurship, and sustainable practices, with free zones now accounting for nearly 20% of global trade and providing over 90 million jobs worldwide.

A major announcement at the congress was the launch of the Global Free Zones Research Institute, a collaborative effort with the China Institute for Reform and Development, aimed at empowering free zones through knowledge sharing, partnerships, and innovation to build resilient, future-ready zones.