#Abu Dhabi #UAE #Finance Week #Humanitarian

Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2025: A Global Financial Hub

The Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) 2025 commenced today, highlighting the capital's growing influence on the global economic scene and its dedication to humanitarian efforts. This year's event, organized by the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), is the largest and most significant financial gathering in the region to date. It brought together key financial and business leaders from around the world to discuss the evolving economic landscape and Abu Dhabi's strategic role within it.

One of the most notable moments of the opening ceremony was a pledge from several global leaders and philanthropists, convened by the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity. Prominent figures such as Bill Gates committed a staggering total of $1.9 billion aimed at eradicating polio worldwide, demonstrating a collective effort to tackle significant global health challenges.

The event's opening session featured esteemed economic leaders from Abu Dhabi alongside international delegates, fostering a high-level assembly intended to enhance collaboration and global dialogue. His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, President of the Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi and the ADGM, delivered a compelling opening statement. He emphasized that in just four years, ADFW has emerged as one of the most influential financial gatherings globally, reflecting Abu Dhabi's commitment to responsible economic growth and market transformation. Notably, he stressed the importance of the city, which welcomes over $60 trillion in assets represented at the gathering, accounting for more than half of the world's GDP.

Despite global economic fluctuations, Abu Dhabi maintained an impressive double-A credit rating over the past 25 years with no downgrades, alongside achieving 17 consecutive quarters of GDP growth—6.6% in the last quarter alone. This consistent growth has been propelled by the emirate's thriving capital markets, quadrupling foreign investment, which now comprises over one-third of all market activity.

Local Initiatives Meet Global Ambitions

Earlier in the day, the third edition of the ADEF gathered cabinet ministers from the UAE, sovereign fund executives, leaders from prominent Abu Dhabi industries, and international stakeholders to delve into economic diversification, industrial strategy, and evolving trade alliances. The session highlighted the impressive progress of the Falcon Economy, which reported a GDP of AED 306.3 billion in Q2 2025, alongside a year-on-year growth in non-oil sectors of 6.6%.

Inaugurating the forum, His Excellency Khaldoon Al Mubarak, CEO of Mubadala Investment Company, shared a vision for Abu Dhabi as a global hub for capital, artificial intelligence, energy, innovation, and life sciences. He asserted that the city is shaping a globally interconnected economy centered around sectors and technologies that will define future growth and wealth generation, emphasizing that Abu Dhabi's role will be pivotal in this evolution.

Historic Commitments Against Polio

In the afternoon, a global pledge panel titled “Investing in Humanity,” organized by the MBZ Foundation in collaboration with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), took center stage. Gates was joined on stage by Her Highness Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Ethiopia's Health Minister Dr. Mekdes Daba, as they unveiled contributions from a diverse array of donors. Noteworthy pledges included $1.2 billion from the Gates Foundation, $140 million from the MBZ Foundation, and substantial contributions from entities including Rotary International, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and various countries, underscoring the importance of collaboration in combating polio.

Gates remarked on the monumental progress made in the fight against polio, attributing it to a unified global goal. He reiterated the urgency to maintain the commitment as they approach the final stretch, emphasizing that this renewed funding is crucial to achieving the ultimate goal and fortifying the systems that protect children from this disease for generations.

New Developments and Collaborations

ADFW’s inaugural day also witnessed several key announcements regarding business setups in the ADGM. The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) granted approval to Binance, a leading global cryptocurrency platform, strengthening Abu Dhabi's position in the fintech space. Furthermore, Cantor Fitzgerald, a top-tier global investment bank, and Plenary Group, an international infrastructure developer and investor, received their initial approvals to expand their operations in the Middle East.

Another significant development came as Mubadala and Aldar pledged more than AED 60 billion for expansion efforts in the northern zone of Al Maryah Island. This ambitious development aims to provide over 1.5 million square meters of prime office space, luxury housing, retail, and hospitality offerings, effectively blending commerce, community, and lifestyle into a singular locale.

Sector-Specific Dialogues and Perspectives

The inaugural day included a robust agenda of both public and private forums. Key highlights encompassed the newly added Global Markets Summit, which probed into the macroeconomic currents shaping trade flows, investment strategies, and the realignment of global capital networks. Additionally, the CNBC New Energy Finance Forum convened energy sector CEOs and the UAE Minister of Energy, exploring the intersection of AI, energy demands, and investment flows in a transitioning economy. Various other private gatherings allowed for limited interactions among CEOs and global investors, ensuring comprehensive discussions on emerging capital opportunities and cross-border investment flows.

For further details regarding ADFW, visit www.adfw.com.