#Abu Dhabi #UAE #ADGM #Finance Week

Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2025: A Record-Breaking Event

The Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) 2025 marked a monumental success, attracting over 35,000 participants, including more than 30% international attendees from 175 nationalities. Organized under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the event solidified Abu Dhabi's position as a leading global financial center.

This annual event, orchestrated by the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) in partnership with ADQ, serves as the emirate's flagship platform for finance and investment. With a record number of events and discussions, the ADFW 2025 showcased a staggering $62 trillion in assets, representing 53% of the global GDP. This year’s theme, focusing on creating a capital network, highlighted Abu Dhabi's evolving role in shaping global finance.

A Platform for Collaboration and Innovation

The ADFW attracted 819 distinguished speakers and over 69 global and regional partners, creating an environment ripe for strategic dialogues and innovative collaborations. During the four-day event, 82 memorandums of understanding and partnerships were signed, solidifying new alliances and exchange of innovative ideas across borders. Prominent entities including BlackRock, Mastercard, and Warner Bros. Discovery participated, leveraging the platform to unveil significant strategic agreements.

The event highlighted the increasing participation of global capital within Abu Dhabi's growing financial ecosystem. For the first time ever, 11 new financial institutions managing assets over $9 trillion joined the ADGM, signifying an unprecedented presence in the region. Notable financial giants like UBS, KKR, and Julius Baer announced their establishment within the ADGM, further enhancing its stature as a regional financial hub.

Transformative Discussions and Contributions

Beyond the financial discussions, the ADFW showcased philanthropy's role in finance. A high-profile meeting spearheaded by the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation led to a commitment of $1.9 billion for polio eradication, uniting major global and regional donors for a noble cause.

In a significant regulatory advance, Binance became the first global cryptocurrency exchange to receive a worldwide license under the ADGM's regulatory framework, setting a new benchmark for digital asset supervision that strengthens Abu Dhabi's innovative financial landscape.

Recognition and Future Outlook

Abu Dhabi's reputation as the premier financial center of the MENA region was further reinforced with the release of the Financial Centers Competitiveness Index (FCCI), ranking it first in MENA and 12th globally. This acknowledgment solidifies the emirate's standing as a prestigious financial marketplace, thanks largely to the operational framework offered by the ADGM.

Looking ahead, the next Abu Dhabi Finance Week is scheduled for December 7-10, 2026. With the success of 2025 as a backdrop, the upcoming edition is set to further enhance its status as a vital global financial gathering.

To learn more about the initiatives and highlights from 2025, visit ADFW's official website.