The 7th International Halal Conference 2026 (IHC7) concluded successfully on 12th of March 2026, bringing together scholars, policymakers, industry leaders, and experts from across the world to address one of the most pressing challenges facing the global Halal ecosystem today: how to safeguard trust and integrity in an increasingly volatile and complex world.
Organised by the Islamic Economy Academy, the seven-day conference was held during the blessed month of Ramadan under the theme:
“Navigating a VUCA World with Integrity — Ethics, Governance & Human Capital as Stabilising Forces.”
The conference was held with the patronage of H.E. Mr. İhsan ÖVÜT, Secretary General of the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC). The organisers express their sincere appreciation to SMIIC for its continued support in strengthening global cooperation and advancing the integrity of Halal systems.
A special note of appreciation is extended to Dr. Alina Abdulrahim, who proposed the theme for IHC7; to Ms. Rozi Osman, whose outstanding leadership in guiding the conference programme has been instrumental in shaping the platform and their steadfast support since the early days of the International Halal Conference initiative.
Gratitude is also extended to all speakers, session chairs, partners, and supporters whose contributions helped make the conference a meaningful platform for global dialogue and collaboration.
Participants from multiple regions convened for a series of high-level presentations, dialogues, and panel discussions aimed at examining emerging risks within the Halal ecosystem and exploring coordinated pathways to strengthen governance, resilience, and global cooperation.
Halal Beyond Certification: A Framework for Stability
Throughout the conference, speakers emphasised that Halal must be understood not merely as a certification system or commercial label, but as a comprehensive ethical and governance framework capable of supporting stability in uncertain times.
Opening the conference, H.E. Mr. İhsan ÖVÜT, Secretary General of the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC), delivered a keynote address highlighting the importance of standards, institutional cooperation, and trust in maintaining the credibility of Halal systems.
“In a world defined by volatility and disruption, trust becomes the most valuable currency. Halal systems must therefore be grounded in integrity, strengthened through governance, and sustained through principled leadership.”
Across seven thematic days, discussions explored the role of Halal systems in areas including:
• Strengthening institutional trust and governance
• Building resilient Halal economic ecosystems
• Safeguarding Halal integrity in the digital age
• Re-centering leadership on human well-being and purpose
• Developing future-ready Halal knowledge systems
• Advancing social justice and inclusive economic empowerment
• Strengthening global cooperation and trusted trade corridors
Global Halal Alliance Declaration
A major milestone of the conference was the Global Halal Alliance Declaration 2026, a landmark initiative aimed at strengthening global coordination, governance, and resilience within the Halal ecosystem. InshaaAllah the declaration will be adopted during Islamic Economy Week which will be organised between 6-12th April 2026.
The declaration affirms that Halal represents a trust-based civilisational framework rooted in ethical integrity (amanah), justice (‘adl), and responsibility (mas’uliyyah), and calls for stronger collaboration among regulators, certification bodies, scholars, and industry stakeholders worldwide.
Among the key commitments outlined in the declaration are:
• Strengthening governance and transparency across Halal institutions
• Enhancing resilience against global economic and supply chain disruptions
• Promoting ethical digital innovation and Halal traceability systems
• Developing principled Halal leadership and human capital pipelines
• Establishing a Waqf to support research and education
• Advancing inclusive Halal economic ecosystems that promote social justice and poverty alleviation
• Supporting the development of trusted Halal trade corridors and cross-border cooperation
The declaration also endorses the establishment of the Global Halal Alliance (GHA) — a values-based global coordination platform dedicated to safeguarding Halal integrity and strengthening institutional cooperation across the international Halal landscape.
A Platform for Reflection and Alignment
IHC7 was intentionally designed as a platform for reflection, sense-making, and alignment during the month of Ramadan.
The conference programme addressed key structural issues facing the Halal ecosystem today, including regulatory fragmentation, digital misinformation, supply chain vulnerabilities, and the erosion of institutional trust.
Speakers highlighted the urgent need to move beyond isolated efforts toward coordinated global frameworks grounded in shared values, transparency, and institutional accountability.
Building the Future of the Global Halal Ecosystem
Over the course of the week, experts and stakeholders explored several strategic pathways for strengthening the Halal ecosystem:
Institutional Governance
Strengthening standards, regulatory frameworks, and ethical oversight mechanisms.
Digital Integrity
Leveraging technology responsibly to improve traceability, transparency, and consumer trust.
Human Capital Development
Investing in future Halal leadership, talent pipelines, and global research collaboration.
Inclusive Economic Development
Aligning Halal value chains with zakat, waqf, SME empowerment, and social impact initiatives.
Global Cooperation
Promoting mutual recognition, cross-border dialogue, and trusted Halal trade corridors.
A Collective Commitment
Mohammed Noor, Co-Founder of the International Halal Conference, Founder of Islamic Economy Academy, Founder of Global Halal Consortium and Global Halal Alliance noted that the conference marks the beginning of a broader global collaboration.
“The Halal ecosystem cannot rely solely on certification systems. It must be supported by strong institutions, principled leadership, and shared responsibility across nations. The Global Halal Alliance Declaration represents a collective commitment to safeguarding trust, strengthening governance, and building resilience for the future.”
Looking Ahead
Following the conference, the Islamic Economy Academy will continue facilitating research, policy dialogue, and collaborative initiatives to advance the priorities identified during IHC7.
These initiatives include:
• Establishing the Global Halal Alliance network
• Launching leadership and fellowship programmes for emerging Halal professionals
• Supporting the development of the Halal SME Alliance & Halal Logistics Alliance
• Publishing future Halal Integrity & Resilience Reports and policy recommendations
About the International Halal Conference
The International Halal Conference is a global platform dedicated to advancing dialogue, research, and collaboration within the Halal ecosystem. It brings together regulators, scholars, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and civil society leaders to address emerging challenges and strengthen the integrity of Halal systems worldwide.
The 7th International Halal Conference 2026 reaffirmed a central message for the global Halal community:
In a world searching for stability, integrity, trust, and responsible leadership remain humanity’s most enduring assets.
