The 20th Arab International Aluminium Conference (ARABAL), the Middle East’s premier aluminium industry gathering, was opened by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister of Finance, and Chairman of Dubai Aluminium (DUBAL), in Dubai today.

The event is hosted by Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) for the sixth time and will run until 24th November .

The conference and associated exhibition is expected to attract more than 2,000 local, regional and international delegates, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors and visitors from 40 countries enabling industry leaders to network, conduct business, discuss global challenges and identify suitable solutions.

Under the theme "Global Challenges – Seeking Solutions", the 2016 conference sessions will focus on Gulf aluminium industry perspectives; the market outlook; China’s influence on the market; sustainability; scrap and recycling; operations and technology; end-user perspectives; the future of the global aluminium industry, and more.

This year, the keynote panel discussion will explore the implications of fluctuating energy prices and corresponding policy changes; delve deeper into the downstream industry including expansions, product mix dynamics, financial elements; and look into raw materials and upstream integration.

More than 50 players in the global aluminium sector will showcase their products, services and technologies at the exhibition held alongside the conference.