Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) successfully concluded its 3rd edition on 12 December 2024, marking another milestone in its evolution as one of the world’s premier financial gatherings. Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and hosted by ADGM, with ADQ as the headline partner, the event attracted over 20,000 leaders, experts, and executives from across the financial services industry.
This year’s theme, ‘Welcome to the Capital of Capital,’ explored the various facets of capital, including economic, human, cultural, environmental, and technological capital. The agenda for ADFW 2024 was expansive and dynamic, featuring over 350 thematic sessions across more than 60 industry-shaping events and strategic forums. New additions such as the UBS Investor Forum, the Islamic Finance Summit, the Spear’s Private Wealth Summit, and the Abu Dhabi Capital Markets Showcase brought fresh perspectives to the global finance landscape. Moreover, the 2024 edition of ADFW served as the best platform to celebrate the 40th anniversary of UAE-China bilateral relations, with the inaugural special edition of the UAE-China Investment Forum in collaboration with HSBC.
His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Development (ADDED) and ADGM said, “Abu Dhabi Finance Week serves as a powerful platform for global financial leaders to convene, exchange ideas, and explore the future of capital. As the ‘Capital of Capital,’ Abu Dhabi is perfectly positioned to drive forward-thinking discussions on economic, technological, and sustainable transitions that are crucial to shaping the next decade of global finance. The success of this year’s ADFW demonstrates the trust and confidence the international financial community places in our city, and we remain committed to fostering innovation and partnerships that will shape the future of finance.”
High-Level Engagement and Strategic Discussions
ADFW 2024 hosted over 600 influential speakers, including prominent figures from the world’s leading financial institutions, offering invaluable insights on global economic transitions. The opening ceremony was attended by Abu Dhabi’s economic leadership and a guest list featuring top financial leaders from over 172 countries. The event’s first day centered on Abu Dhabi’s Falcon Economy, highlighting the city’s growing status as the ‘Capital of Capital.’
The second edition of the Abu Dhabi Economic Forum (ADEF) featured in-depth discussions on the current state and future prospects of the Falcon Economy, bringing together senior leadership from Abu Dhabi’s government, as well as prominent figures from the private sector, representing key industries. Top speakers included the CEOs and C-Suites of Blackrock, UBS, PGIM, Bridgewater Associates, HSBC, ADQ, Mubadala, Morgan Stanley, Citigroup, BNY, Lunate, 2PointZero, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), Pure Health, GQG Partners and Aldar.
The third edition of Asset Abu Dhabi gathered asset allocators and asset managers, investment bankers, venture capitalists, private equities, family offices and other institutional investors, which collectively manage over USD 42.5 trillion in assets, to share their perspectives and offer insights into some of the world’s biggest hedge funds.
The seventh edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum (ADSFF) concluded ADFW 2024 with a compelling focus on sustainable finance and climate action. Hosted by ADGM in collaboration with the Global Climate Finance Centre (GCFC), HSBC, and Smart energy, the forum featured strategic discussions on advancing the UAE’s net-zero ambitions, global climate fund mobilization, and the role of AI in addressing sustainability challenges. ADSFF also welcomed 44 new signatories to the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Declaration, bringing the total to 160 members committed to advancing sustainability across sectors like asset management, climate tech, renewable energy, food security, and waste management, while fostering collaboration and innovation with ADGM.
Celebrating Resilience at RESOLVE
The third edition of RESOLVE, held under the theme ‘Resilience,’ brought together global leaders to share insights on how resilience drives success for businesses and clients alike. The event was organised by ADGM in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Justice, Abu Dhabi Judicial Department and arbitrateAD. Esteemed keynote speaker, H.E. Abdullah bin Sultan bin Awad Al Nuimai, Minister of Justice – UAE, headlined the event.
Fintech Abu Dhabi: Innovation at the Forefront
The eighth edition of Fintech Abu Dhabi reaffirmed its status as the Middle East’s largest fintech festival. Focusing on payments, digital assets, digital security, and credit, the event saw keynotes from global thought leaders such as former UK Prime Minister Lord David Cameron and H.R.H. Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud.
Special forums within Fintech Abu Dhabi included the Islamic Finance Summit (IFS), DLT Foundations Roundtable, AI Abu Dhabi, Blockchain AD, and Risk 4.0 Forum.
Strategic Partnerships and MoUs
ADFW 2024 witnessed the signing of over 44 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), further solidifying its role as a platform for strategic partnerships. The signed MoUs included notable agreements between ADGM and Istanbul Financial Centre, Beijing Financial Street Bureau, Polygon, Palo Alto Networks and Ma’an. ADGM Academy signed seven MoUs with leading entities such as Abu Dhabi Youth Business Council (ADYBC), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Ray Dalio, Sandooq Al Watan, Standard Chartered, Visa and the Wealth Management Institute (WMI).
Looking Ahead
As ADFW continues to grow, the success of this year’s edition further emphasises Abu Dhabi’s position as a destination of choice, reinforcing its role as a global financial powerhouse and a falcon economy in the world’s economic transitions.Building on this momentum, ADFW 2025 is set to take place from December 8 to 11, 2025, promising to deliver even greater opportunities for collaboration and innovation in the financial sector.
