#Abu Dhabi #United Arab Emirates #ADGM #Asset Management

Abu Dhabi Finance Week: Celebrating Global Asset Management Growth

The Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) recently commenced its second day with the annual Asset Abu Dhabi event. Organized by the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), this flagship event has gathered a myriad of significant financial players, officials, and influencers to explore the rapidly evolving landscape of asset management.

This year's forum, in collaboration with partners including ADCB, Mubadala, and PGIM Global Asset Management, delved into various topics related to investment opportunities in the coming decade. Discussions included emerging technology investments, avenues in private equity, and urban investment initiatives—a reflection of how cities are evolving to meet future demands.

Central to the gathering was the participation of over 42.5 trillion USD in managed assets, uniting asset allocators, financial institutions, and prominent investment firms. This congregation is a testament to Abu Dhabi's growing stature as a global finance hub, providing a valuable platform for sharing insights and strategies among some of the largest hedge funds globally.

One of the standout moments of ADFW was a thought-provoking speech delivered by Ray Dalio, founder and CIO Mentor at Bridgewater Associates. His address, which tackled concepts surrounding a shifting global order, set the stage for the subsequent discussions. Dalio analyzed turbulent economic and political climates to underpin why the anticipated future diverges significantly from past trends.

With the asset management industry projected to surge towards nearly 120 trillion USD by 2023 and multi-billion-dollar managers holding about 61% of total industry assets, one session entitled “The Market View of Trillion Dollar Asset Managers” transfixed attendees. It featured heavyweight asset management experts like Aleksandar Ivanovic of UBS Asset Management, David Hunt from PGIM, and Bill Huffman of Nuveen, providing invaluable insights into market perspectives.

Noteworthy discussions also emerged from other key finance leaders, including Robert Smith, founder and CEO of Vista Equity Partners, and Aron Landy, CEO of Brevan Howard. Their dialogues offered updates on the Falcon Economy, tips on identifying prime opportunities, real estate market insights, and an overview of prominent sovereign wealth funds in Abu Dhabi.

In a comment, S.E. Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADGM and the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), remarked on the event's role. He stated, "Asset Abu Dhabi stands as a remarkable platform for exchanging insights regarding the future of this dynamic sector. We are illuminating emerging frontiers in technology and investment opportunities, providing critical viewpoints for the evolving global economic landscape that will transform the forthcoming decade of investments."

During the event, 14 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) were signed, including significant partnerships with the Istanbul Financial Centre, the Beijing Financial Street Services Bureau, and Polygon. Another notable agreement between Circle and Lulu Financial Holdings also marked the event. Notably, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) finalized MoUs with key players like PGIM, EXIM Bank, and MasterCard.

Simultaneously with Asset Abu Dhabi, the ADFW celebrated the 40th anniversary of UAE-China bilateral relations, through the inaugural special edition of the UAE-China Investment Forum, in collaboration with HSBC. This event shed light on mutual trade opportunities, featuring distinguished guests such as Carl Ge, partner at Hillhouse Investment, and Dr. Nasser Saidi, president of Nasser Saidi Associates.

The second day of ADFW was replete with special sessions including the UBS Investor Forum, International Family Office Congress, and much more. Events such as Fintech Abu Dhabi and the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum (ADSFF) are slated to continue in the following days, gathering industry leaders on an international stage.

The ADFW remains a critical focal point for the financial sector, promoting collaboration and innovation within the asset management realm as key global issues unfold.