#Abu Dhabi #Capital of Capital #Finance Week

Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2024: A Landmark Event in Financial Leadership

Abu Dhabi, renowned as the 'Capital of Capital', recently hosted the highly anticipated Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) 2024. Under the esteemed patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, this four-day event commenced with a grand opening ceremony held at the ADQ Arena in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). The event gathered an impressive roster of financial leaders from over 100 countries, showcasing Abu Dhabi's rising prominence in the global economic landscape.

The opening day featured a keynote address from His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, a pivotal figure in Abu Dhabi's economic direction. In his speech, Al Zaabi emphasized the city's growth trajectory and its ambition to provide a stable and prosperous environment for businesses and investors alike. His words framed the Falcon Economy—the event's central theme—highlighting Abu Dhabi's commitment to creating a future defined by trust and opportunity.

Key Highlights from Day One

Following the opening ceremony, the Abu Dhabi Economic Forum (ADEF) returned for its second edition. This high-profile event featured rich discussions involving CEOs and titans from the financial sector, including stalwarts from firms like Blackrock, HSBC, and Morgan Stanley. These discussions probed into the current state and future prospects of the Falcon Economy, assessing Abu Dhabi’s role as a growing global business hub.

Among the standout sessions was the panel discussion titled 'The ADFW Boardroom: Abu Dhabi In the Global Economy', which brought together influential figures such as Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, and Sergio Ermotti, CEO of UBS. The panelists exchanged insights on global economic trends and strategies to bolster Abu Dhabi’s growth amid evolving market conditions.

Other significant topics discussed included:

• - Building the Falcon Economy
• - A New Era of Capital Flows in a Polycentric World
• - The Factors Influencing Global Markets
• - Slowbalization: A New Kind of World Order

The inaugural Abu Dhabi Capital Markets Forum also took place on the first day, spotlighting the dynamism of Abu Dhabi's publicly traded companies, in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX). Attendees engaged in strategic dialogues aimed at empowering Abu Dhabi’s capital markets.

Fostering Innovation and Inclusive Growth

The UBS Investor Forum gathered over 30 Chief Investment Officers (CIOs) from top global hedge funds, igniting critical conversations around investment opportunities in the region. Other events, such as the iConnections Private Markets House and the Greenwich Economic Forum, further equipped attendees with varied perspectives on the investment landscape.

In collaboration with NYU Abu Dhabi, ADQ unveiled a significant research paper titled **