ADGM's Participation in Milken 2026: A New Era for Global Finance

ADGM's Participation in Milken 2026

The Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), recognized as the international financial center (IFC) of Abu Dhabi, made a significant impression at the Milken Institute Global Conference held from May 3 to May 6, 2026, in Los Angeles. This event marked a pivotal moment as eight major global financial institutions, managing a combined total of $4.4 trillion in assets, announced their intentions to establish a base in the Emirate.

Led by the Chairman of ADGM, His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, the delegation reaffirmed Abu Dhabi's reputation as the 'Capital of Capital,' emphasizing its role as a vital conduit connecting the global north and south. Throughout the conference, ADGM executives engaged in dialogues with policymakers, global investors, and leading financial managers, addressing Abu Dhabi's strategic importance in the future of finance, international investment flows, and cross-border collaboration.

His Excellency Al Zaabi articulated the ADGM's strategic direction to transform institutional interest into long-term partnerships and market entry initiatives. He noted, "Our activities in the U.S. reflect a targeted strategy aimed at strengthening relationships with leading capital distributors and financial institutions globally. Today, global capital increasingly gravitates toward platforms that offer predictability, institutional strength, and global connectivity. As ADGM strives to become one of the world's top five financial centers, we continue to foster a globally trusted ecosystem based on regulatory clarity, forward-looking governance, and direct access to regional and international opportunities."

As the fastest-growing international financial center in the region, ADGM has developed an exceptional momentum in attracting leading global asset managers. This trend is evidenced by firms managing nearly $4.4 trillion choosing ADGM to support their expansion efforts. "While we deepen our global partnerships, we remain focused on mobilizing capital, fostering innovation, and strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as the capital of capital, while simultaneously shaping the future of the global financial landscape," added His Excellency.

During the Milken Conference, His Excellency participated in a fireside chat with Alan Schwartz, the chairman of Guggenheim Partners. The discussion, titled "Driving Global Financial Innovation," highlighted Abu Dhabi's remarkable economic transformation and the role of ADGM in developing a resilient, future-ready financial ecosystem. He pointed out that the UAE's long-term diversification strategy and structural resilience underpinning its growth have yielded sustained results, stating that, "The UAE's resilience is a product of conscious strategy rather than reactive policies. What we witness today is the validation of this model, where an economy is designed to deliver consistent outcomes even under pressure."

Additionally, His Excellency revealed that ADGM had expanded its operations by issuing 284 new licenses in March 2026, compared to 270 the previous year, marking a 5.2% increase. He emphasized ADGM's positioning within a rapidly evolving global financial landscape, commenting, "We are building a financial center conceived for a new era—one that combines openness with institutional strength and connectivity with long-term oriented capital. That’s what we mean when we say Abu Dhabi is the Capital of Capital."

ADGM's presence at the Milken Conference followed a series of announcements by leading financial institutions planning to establish operations within its jurisdiction. Since the end of March, firms such as Muzinich & Co. (managing $30.5 billion), Hillhouse Investment Management (over $100 billion AUM), Barings ($481 billion AUM), and Bain Capital ($225 billion AUM) have opened offices in ADGM.

Moreover, in the week preceding the Milken Conference, Hashed Global Management Limited ($324 million AUM) and Rokos Capital Management ($22 billion AUM) received their financial services license (FSP), while Capital Group ($3.3 trillion AUM) and Man Group ($228.7 billion AUM) announced plans to open offices in Abu Dhabi.

Throughout the Milken Conference, ADGM held over 50 high-level discussions with globally leading institutions, including Man Group, Bain Capital, Blackstone, Carlyle Global Investment Management, Coinbase, and Guggenheim. These engagements deepened relationships with key players across the U.S. financial ecosystem. At the heart of these activities were collaborations aimed at facilitating market entry into Abu Dhabi and harnessing ADGM's progressive regulatory frameworks alongside its global connectivity.

As a pivotal player in advancing Abu Dhabi's comprehensive economic vision, ADGM continues to stand as a reliable, forward-looking financial hub that draws upon international best practices and directly applies the principles of English common law worldwide.