The Forum hosts leading global and regional design voices through live talks, panel discussions and keynotes, fostering dialogue and exchange within the international design community.

The Forum is Dubai Design Week’s flagship talks programme, bringing together renowned speakers, designers, and innovators from across the world. Each year, it presents a curated series of live talks, panel discussions and keynotes that explore the most relevant ideas shaping the global and regional design landscape.

The 2025 edition, set within a newly designed space by architect and designer Roula Salamoun, continues its legacy of fostering meaningful dialogue in one of the world’s fastest-growing creative markets. Over the years, The Forum has welcomed design icons such as Lidewij Edelkoort, Kelly Hoppen, India Mahdavi, Christian Louboutin, Sabine Marcelis, Lina Ghotmeh and Sebastian Herkner.

This year’s programme will be headlined by Tom Dixon in his Dubai debut, alongside Lee Broom, David Hicks and regional leaders including Rabah Saeid, Pallavi Dean and Omar Al Gurg, reaffirming The Forum’s role as a vital platform for conversation, connection, and creative insight.