Málaga to Host Third Global Photonics Economic Forum on 24-25 September 2026

Málaga will host the third edition of the Global Photonics Economic Forum (GPEF) on 24 and 25 September 2026 at FYCMA, the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Malaga. The forum is a strategic collaboration between Malaga City Council through Promalaga, the Junta de Andalucia through Andalucia TRADE, Malaga TechPark, and Optica, the Washington-based organisation for optics and photonics with more than 24,000 members. Strategically, the 2026 GPEF takes place immediately after ECOC 2026 at the same venue, concentrating the global photonics community in Malaga for both events. The forum addresses global competitiveness, supply chains, technological innovation, digitalization, and the impact of photonics on telecommunications, healthcare, automotive, quantum computing, and sustainability, through executive presentations, panel debates, and exclusive networking sessions. The governing board includes CEOs of major photonics companies: IPG Photonics, nLIGHT, Edmund Optics, JENOPTIK, Thorlabs, GlobalFoundries, TTM Technologies, and MKS. The forum also presents the Optica i4 Awards, recognising innovation, impact, inclusivity, and integrity in the photonics ecosystem. Malaga continues strengthening its position as the technology hub of southern Europe.