Artificial intelligence, supply chain resilience and supplier risk are moving to the centre of the procurement debate in the Middle East as businesses contend with geopolitical uncertainty, cyber threats and the growing complexity of global sourcing.
Those issues will be a major focus of the CIPS MENA Procurement and Supply Chain Futures Forum, due to take place on 28-29 October 2026 at the Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah in Riyadh. The event is expected to bring together procur...
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ement, commercial and supply chain leaders to examine how the profession is changing, with discussions set to cover digital procurement, supplier governance, sustainability, strategic sourcing and the wider role of procurement leadership.
CIPS-linked industry research suggests the function is gaining greater influence inside organisations. According to the findings, 69% of procurement professionals say their influence has increased, while more than half are pursuing greater automation. The same research indicates that 78% believe ESG issues are becoming more important in procurement strategy, underlining the extent to which compliance, sustainability and risk are now shaping decision-making alongside price.
Sam Achampong, regional director for Asia, Australasia, the Middle East and Africa at CIPS, said procurement teams were no longer being asked simply to cut costs. He said organisations increasingly depend on procurement to strengthen resilience, manage supplier exposure, support sustainability goals and assess how AI can create long-term value. He added that technology alone would not solve supply chain risk without stronger supplier relationships, better visibility and more resilient procurement strategies.
That message echoes wider concern across the region. PwC Middle East has warned that supply chains are under intensifying pressure from disruptions that can delay shipments, increase cost volatility and unsettle suppliers. The firm has also pointed to the way regional flashpoints, including tensions affecting routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, can quickly feed through into logistics, demand and market stability.
The forum will also reflect a broader rush towards AI-enabled procurement tools. Platforms now being marketed to the region promise real-time supplier, category and spend insight, with vendors arguing that better data can help buyers reduce costs and spot risks earlier. At the same time, industry leaders continue to stress that automation must be matched by governance, judgement and robust supplier management.
The CIPS event will sit alongside the CIPS MENA Awards, which recognise excellence across the procurement profession. Organisers say the forum is intended to provide practical insight for leaders trying to balance efficiency, resilience and innovation in an environment that remains highly volatile.
Source: Noah Wire Services
