The second edition of Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) 2023 is set to take place under the auspices of Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Executive Council. The event is presented by Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) as headline partners. The world’s financial leaders will gather to discuss the central theme of “Investing in the Transition Era,” and the event has unveiled an exciting agenda for each day centered around this theme.
Read more: ADGM to host Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum at COP28
ADFW’s upcoming four-day series, scheduled from November 27th to November 30th, 2023, will feature a total of 36 events and 180 sessions. The event will bring together the leaders of numerous investment funds, each managing assets worth over $1 billion. Collectively, these funds represent a staggering $27 trillion in assets under management, which amounts to approximately 22 percent of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Additionally, the event will attract dozens of the world’s wealthiest individuals.
Critical topics
Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, a member of Abu Dhabi’s Executive Council and Chairman of ADDED and ADGM, praised the comprehensive and diverse agenda of ADFW and its holistic approach. Within just a year of its launch, ADFW’s second edition “is gathering the attention of important international audience. The phenomenal agenda for this year brings together critical topics and high-level individuals representing an array of perspectives from various industries, that directly or indirectly contribute to tackling challenges and harnessing opportunities within a transition era. We are excited to host this remarkable edition of ADFW in a few weeks from now and bring this groundbreaking platform to the financial industry.”
Official opening ceremony
The official opening ceremony on November 27th will commence with the participation of the leaders of renowned global investment and financial firms. The day will proceed with the inaugural Abu Dhabi Economic Forum, an exclusive high-level leadership forum by invitation only. During this forum, key aspects of Abu Dhabi’s thriving and resilient economy will be unveiled. Distinguished speakers, including the heads of Abu Dhabi’s prominent Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs), several UAE Ministers, and leaders of global financial institutions, will provide insights into the burgeoning Falcon Economy. They will also share their perspectives on why they have chosen Abu Dhabi as a strategic base for their business operations.
Second day
The second day of the event will feature the commencement of the Asset Abu Dhabi conference, which will delve into the evolving investment strategies of hedge funds, private equity firms, and venture capital giants in global markets. Simultaneously, two other forums will take place, focusing on the investment strategies of International Family Offices and Turnaround & Restructuring. Asset Abu Dhabi will offer key sessions such as “10 Rules of Successful Nations” presented by Rockefeller International Chairman Ruchir Sharma. There will also be a unique conversation on “The Keys to Managing Money & Risk” featuring former UK Chancellor George Osborne and Hedge Fund Head Alan Howard. Additionally, a special roundtable discussion titled “Forecast to 2030” will take place, featuring Laura Cha, Chairman of Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing, alongside C-suite representatives from Goldman Sachs, Circle, and Tikehau Capital.
Fintech Abu Dhabi
On November 29th, the series continues with Fintech Abu Dhabi, a thematic day dedicated to the convergence of finance and technology. This year marks the 7th edition of MENA’s largest Fintech Festival, which encompasses specialized forums on AI, Blockchain, and Risk & Security. Notable sessions during this theme day include debates on the financial crime economy and a discussion involving key Abu Dhabi AI institutions on the topic of “Why Abu Dhabi was Talking About AI Before It Was Cool.” The event will also bring together leaders from significant institutions to address the question of whether crypto has matured enough to enter a new phase of growth. Professor Alexander Lipton, global head of Quantitative R&D at Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), will share his insights on “How social media is re-wiring the global banking playbook.” Furthermore, Jeremy Allaire, CEO and founder of Circle, will have a dedicated session to discuss strategies for leveraging digital assets as valuable tools for global financial stability.
Final day
The final day of ADFW is designated to highlight the theme of sustainable finance, coinciding with the opening sessions of COP28. The R.A.C.E. (Regulation, Awareness, Collaboration & Ecosystems) Sustainability Summit will tackle the crucial question of whether climate finance will lead to the most significant capital reallocation in human history. The summit aims to identify potential avenues to bridge the substantial $11 trillion capital gap required to achieve net zero goals. Additionally, the summit will provide a live stream of the COP28 opening ceremony, allowing attendees to participate in this important global event.
The Global Financial Regulators Summit, an exclusive assembly of 15 prominent global financial regulatory leaders, will take place on November 29th in conjunction with Fintech Abu Dhabi. The outcomes and key findings of this summit will be presented the following day during the R.A.C.E. Sustainability Summit.
For more news on banking and finance, click here.
