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Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2025: A New Era for Global Finance

The Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) 2025 was held under the esteemed patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and President of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. This significant event culminated in a transformative week of discussions, announcements, and visionary collaborations, reinforcing Abu Dhabi's standing as a preeminent global financial hub.

Unprecedented Attendance and Participation

ADFW 2025 witnessed an unprecedented participation of more than 35,000 attendees, with over 30% of participants coming from 175 different nationalities. The event featured 68 programs and 394 thematic sessions, showcasing contributions from 819 influential speakers and partnerships with over 69 global and regional organizations, highlighting Hanwha as a strategic partner. This gathering underscored Abu Dhabi’s capability to attract substantial global capital, with total assets represented surpassing a staggering $62 trillion, which amounts to 53% of the world's GDP.

A Platform for Groundbreaking Announcements

This year’s ADFW was instrumental in pushing forward strategic initiatives in global finance. Notably, 11 global financial institutions managing more than $9 trillion in assets under management (AUM) established their presence in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) during the days leading up to the conference. Prominent global entities such as UBS Group, KKR, and Julius Baer made headlines with their announcements of new offices in the Emirate, marking a historic milestone for the region’s financial ecosystem.

In a landmark move, Binance became the first worldwide cryptocurrency exchange to receive a global license under the ADGM’s regulatory framework. This achievement sets a new standard for digital asset oversight and reinforces Abu Dhabi's position as a leader in financial innovation. Additionally, the world's largest sustainability consultancy, ERM, unveiled the opening of its new office within ADGM, emphasizing the growing significance of Abu Dhabi in promoting the global sustainability agenda.

Philanthropic Initiatives and Global Commitments

A significant highlight of ADFW 2025 was a powerful convergence of finance and philanthropy, where a global commitment of $1.9 billion was announced to eradicate polio. This initiative was spearheaded by the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation, featuring contributions from global figures like Bill Gates and various local and international donors.

Competitive Positioning

The Financial Centers Competitiveness Index, released at the ADFW by NYU Abu Dhabi's Stern School of Business, ranked Abu Dhabi as the leading financial center in the MENA region, and twelfth globally. This accolade further solidified its reputation as a vital player in the worldwide financial landscape, primarily through the contributions of ADGM.

Redefining Financial Connections

Under the theme “Designing the Capital Network,” ADFW 2025 illustrated the emergence of Abu Dhabi as a global financial epicenter and ADGM's role in reshaping financial architecture for the future. The event also saw the signing of 82 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) between global, regional, and local entities, aiming to enhance cross-border collaborations and innovative avenues before next year’s event.

Looking Ahead

The next edition of Abu Dhabi Finance Week is scheduled for December 7-10, 2026. As this remarkable event draws to a close, it not only cements ADFW's status as a standout global financial gathering but also paves the way for continued growth and innovation in Abu Dhabi’s financial landscape.

For further updates and information, visit www.adfw.com.