Despite only being in its third year, ADFW has quickly become a go-to event for anyone in finance. The forum offers finance professionals, industry leaders, and investors from around the globe a platform to engage in high-level discussions—all within one immersive environment. Returning for its biggest edition yet, ADFW 2024 will provide a four-day opportunity to exchange innovative ideas, network, and talk about regional and global financial trends. ADFW presents itself as a conference experience unlike any other — and one that only Abu Dhabi can deliver.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the UAE’s vibrant capital, ADFW will also coincide with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, drawing a vibrant mix of A-list sports stars, celebrities, and leading executives. Attendees can indulge in luxury accommodation, premier shopping, and fine dining, complemented by exclusive yacht parties and concerts courtesy of ADFW’s partners. In this feature, we will guide you through the comprehensive agenda that ADGM has crafted for the event’s third edition, which takes place from December 9 to 12.
Day 1 | December 9
ADFW 2024 begins with an Opening Ceremony at the Capital Square. The ceremony will welcome attendees, comprising global financial leaders and dignitaries. ADFW’s official kick-off event will have an exclusive guest list and will be held in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and Chairman of the Executive Council, and the economic leadership of Abu Dhabi. The ceremony will set the tone for a four-day gathering that promises impactful discussions and networking.
Also at the Capital Square, the Abu Dhabi Economic Forum is the main event of ADFW’s Day 1. This elite forum is a prime avenue for leaders from the private and public sectors to discuss strategies that will continue to position Abu Dhabi as a global hub for business and investment. The forum will tackle the UAE capital’s growth as a Falcon Economy, a concept first introduced in the first year of ADFW.
The Abu Dhabi Economic Forum will feature an impressive lineup of speakers, each bringing unparalleled expertise and insights to the discussions on Abu Dhabi’s economic future. Among them are prominent figures like H.E. Badr Al Olama, the director general at Abu Dhabi Investment Office or ADIO whose leadership in economic diversification and innovation has been instrumental in shaping Abu Dhabi’s future. He will be joined by First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) group CEO, Hana Al Rostamani, who has transformed the banking sector through digital-first strategies.
Meanwhile, Seif Fikry, managing partner at Lunate, will add more dynamics to the forum and enrich the discussions. Fikry has over 27 years of experience, having managed over $16 billion in assets, launched over 12 ETFs and played pivotal roles in founding and managing several financial institutions, including EFG-Hermes, and Afkar Capital, the first FSRA-regulated entity in ADGM. Aldar group CEO Talal Al Dhiyebi will share his insights into real estate development through his company’s expansive projects and will highlight how strategic investments in infrastructure are fueling regional growth.
The ADEF Private Leadership Forum at ADGM Majlis is another exclusive gathering—this time, between ADGM chairman H.E. Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi and C-level leaders from the business and finance world.
On Day 1, ADFW will have two new events, one of which is the Abu Dhabi Capital Markets Forum. This forum, which will take place at the ADFW Arena, is an invite-only event for corporates and investors. With one-on-one discussions, this new event allows a more efficient way of fostering connections. Here, corporations can present their vision and projects directly to global and regional investors.
The ADGM Gala Dinner at Qasr Al Watan is another new event where attendees can unwind, network, and reflect on the day’s learning and connections in an informal, relaxed setting. Meanwhile, all attendees and delegates will be free to check out ADFW’s Venture Park and Startup Campus at LINK Family Park P7. Accessible across all four days of ADFW, the platform will serve as an exciting stage where startups can pitch their projects to a crowd of potential investors and industry leaders.
Day 2 | December 10
The second day of ADFW 2024 builds on the momentum of Day 1, with Asset Abu Dhabi as the flagship event. Asset Abu Dhabi, happening at Capital Square, will spotlight key areas, such as technology investments for the coming decade, urban future developments, and insights from leading global hedge funds. Discussions will focus on the evolving perspectives of institutional investors and asset allocators, providing a vital networking platform for asset managers, investment bankers, venture capitalists, private equities, family offices, and other key financial players.
For this gathering, ADFW will offer a strong lineup of speakers headlined by Ray Dalio, the founder and CIO mentor at Bridgewater Associates, one of the leading asset management firms in the globe. Commenting on the cosmopolitan nature of Abu Dhabi, he previously remarked, “Consider that the majority of people who live and work in Abu Dhabi are from other countries and are here because the things that they want are more reliably available here than in their own countries.”
Asset Abu Dhabi will also feature Robert Smith, the founder, chairman, and CEO of Vista Equity Partners — an investment firm that focuses on enterprise software, data, and technology; Aron Landy, CEO of Brevan Howard, a global alternative investment management platform that specializes in global macro and digital assets and Bill Huffman, CEO of Nuveen, one of the world’s largest asset managers, serving institutions, financial intermediaries and individual investors in more than 30 countries. Jean-Paul Villain, director of strategy and planning at Abu Dhabi Investment Authority will also speak during the event.
RESOLVE, an event taking place at Rosewood, is dedicated to addressing global disputes. The third edition of RESOLVE will have industry thought leaders who will delve into challenging subjects — ranging from class actions against major tech companies to climate dispute intricacies, emerging trends in insolvency and restructuring, and the development of regulatory frameworks for AI-related disputes. These aim to redefine conventional approaches and inspire transformative growth in the global legal sphere. Speakers include Amir Ghavi, partner at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP.
Also, in its third edition is the T.R.I. Summit (Turnaround, Restructuring & Insolvency), happening at the ADFW Auditorium. It will bring together specialists in corporate restructuring and turnaround strategies, led by Cyril Shroff, managing partner at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas. T.R.I. offers a pivotal platform for discussing opportunities in both emerging and mature markets and examining the role of regulatory frameworks in strengthening capital markets. This summit provides a prime opportunity for leaders to exchange ideas and strategies to navigate today’s complex business environments.
Day 2 will feature the UAE-China Investment Summit and the International Family Office Congress. UAE-China Investment Summit is a newcomer to ADFW, that celebrates 40 years of UAE-China diplomatic ties. This special edition event will explore the expanding avenues for mutual trade and economic prosperity. Attendees will have the unique chance to hear from distinguished guests discussing strategic partnerships and trade opportunities. In this significant event, attendees can gather insights from top speakers, including Lei Zhang, founder and chairman at Hillhouse Investment, which is one of the largest private equity firms operating in Asia; and Nasser Saidi, president at Nasser Saidi & Associates, an entity that provides economic advisory and business consultancy services to a diverse range of stakeholders in the Middle East and North Africa region.
The UAE-China Investment Summit’s speakers also include Sean Ho, CIO at Triata; Chi-Man Kwan, founder & CEO at Raffles Family Office; and Casey Ge, chief strategy officer at Wind Information. The International Family Office Congress, meanwhile, is a testament to how family offices continue to rise with global wealth. This congress serves as a crucial platform for family business leaders, providing expert insights into macroeconomics, technological advancements, risk management, and strategic investment planning necessary for sustained growth and legacy building. Speaking at the congress is Dino Varkey, group CEO at GEMS Education, representing the third generation of a family committed to delivering quality education for nearly 60 years. He will be sharing perspectives along with Renuka Jagtiani, CEO of retailing giant Landmark Group, and Ali Sajwani, managing director of operations and technology at the leading Emirati property development company, DAMAC Properties.
Day 2 of ADFW will also feature the UBS Investor Forum. The event is an exclusive invitation-only forum for global asset managers, private equity experts, hedge funds, and venture capitalists. This session facilitates connections with major endowments, pension funds, family offices, and sovereign wealth funds, fostering substantial partnership opportunities and facilitating extensive deal-making activities.
The day will continue with Spear’s Summit: Private Wealth Forum, at the ADGM Boardroom. The summit will serve as an exclusive hub for leading financial institutions to delve into asset management, risk assessment, and client relations in the wealth management sector.
Meanwhile, at the Auditorium, the Future of Talent Summit will bring together industry leaders to explore the dynamics of team building and the intersection of human skills and technological advancements in organizational development.
Ending Day 2 on a more relaxing note is the Speakers’ Dinner, to be hosted at the Four Seasons. Meanwhile, Capital Vibes at Capital Square will close the series of events with a festive atmosphere, allowing guests to network and unwind in an even more vibrant setting.
Day 3 | December 11
The third day of ADFW will involve a series of essential forums that will highlight the intersection between tech and finance. Now in its eighth edition, Fintech Abu Dhabi will take place at Capital Square. MENA’s biggest fintech festival will convene tech innovators, developers, entrepreneurs, and investors to showcase and stimulate the future of finance. Subjects such as including payments, digital assets, digital security, and credit will be discussed.
Heavyweight speakers include Raman Bhatia, CEO of the leading British neobank Starling Bank, and Rishi Khosla, CEO of OakNorth, a British bank that focuses on scaling businesses. Mostapha Tahiri, group COO at State Street, Frank La Salla, president and CEO at The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC); and Caroline Pham, an American attorney serving as the commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) will also be among the event’s speakers.
Held as part of Fintech Abu Dhabi, Blockchain Abu Dhabi is a platform specifically dedicated to discussing Web 3.0 and decentralized finance—and their impact on traditional finance. It will zero in on the future of digital assets and blockchain implementation across sectors, showcasing what’s next in crypto and blockchain innovation. Primed to be an insightful gathering, Blockchain Abu Dhabi will share perspectives from top-notch industry figures, including Jeremy Allaire, CEO at Circle; Richard Teng, CEO at Binance; and Lily Lui, CEO at Solana Foundation. Konstantin Richter, CEO at Blockdaemon, and Jonathan Levin, co-founder and CPO at Chainalysis, will also speak at the event.
AI Forum is yet another premier gathering about tech’s role in finance, but the particular focus is on the impact of artificial intelligence. Happening at the Atrium, this event will discuss the regulatory status of AI and its implications for the financial world. Open AI CEO Sam Altman previously noted the UAE capital’s potential as a pivotal player in the AI regulatory scene. AI Abu Dhabi, which will also explore how AI-driven strategies are reshaping decision-making in different spheres of finance—from wealth management, venture capital, and hedge funds to risk management, and customer experience—will also have a stellar lineup of speakers.
Among these are Dr. Ebtesam Almazrouei, chairperson of the AI For Good Impact Initiative at the United Nations; Carme Artigas, co-chair of the AI Advisory Board at the Office of the UN Secretary-General; Sandeep Bakshi, partner at the Netherlands-based Prosus Ventures; and Karim Sabbagh, managing director at Space 42, a global AI-powered space tech company headquartered in the UAE.
Day 3 will also host the second edition of Risk 4.0 Forum, which will happen at the Auditorium. This year’s Risk 4.0 Forum will explore critical financial integrity risks, including money laundering, fraud, and regulatory challenges. Building on last year’s success, the forum will focus on addressing key challenges in financial fraud and cybercrimes and explore how authorities are collaborating to tackle these issues effectively.
The third day of ADFW will also be about recognizing excellence, innovation, and success in MENA’s fintech sector. The MENA Fintech Awards, set to occur at the Capital Square, will celebrate the achievements of industry leaders and pioneers who have made significant contributions to the field.
At the Four Seasons, another important gathering will take place: the Global Financial Regulators Summit. This exclusive, private assembly is for financial regulators worldwide—a platform where they can discuss challenges and foster innovation for regulatory frameworks. This summit comes at a crucial time as the financial landscape continues to adapt to evolving trends and technologies while ensuring the protection of financial assets and services worldwide.
On ADFW’s penultimate day, two new events will also happen. First is the Islamic Finance Summit (IFS) at the ADFW Auditorium. The inaugural IFS will convene thought leaders from Islamic banks and leading financial institutions. Together, they will explore the future of Shariah-compliant finance and its potential in the region — given that the global Islamic finance market is poised to grow at a CAGR of 10.2 percent from 2024 to 2029.
IFS’s speakers will include Mohamed Abdel Bary, group CEO at the Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB); Junaid Wahedna, founder of Wahed Invest; Dr. Ghiath Shabsigh, secretary general at Islamic Financial Services Board; Nurul Izza Idris, director at Islamic Finance Department at Bank Negara Malaysia; Dr. Adnan Chilwan, CEO at Dubai Islamic Bank; and Mohammed Al Katheeri, acting director of National Coordination and Follow Up Department at National Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting Financing of Terrorism (NAMLCFTC).
The other new event is the DLT Foundations Roundtable. The launch of ADGM’s Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) Foundations Regulations was a major step forward in regulating digital assets both regionally and globally. The DLT Foundations Roundtable will explore new opportunities for collaboration in crypto market regulation.
Read: ADFW through the years: A journey of growth and global influence
Day 4 | December 12
The last day of ADFW will cover five diverse events bound by the overarching themes of innovation, sustainability, and empowerment within the financial sector. The flagship event of Day 4 is the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum (ADSFF). An event that underscores Abu Dhabi’s commitment to sustainable financial development, it will feature talks and sessions on Regulation, Awareness, Collaboration, and Ecosystem. As leaders in sustainable green finance, Abu Dhabi and ADGM are at the forefront with ADSFF, creating a prime setting for strategic and high-level discussions. These talks aim to help achieve the UAE’s net-zero ambitions and contribute to global efforts towards a sustainable future.
As with other ADFW gatherings, the ADSFF will feature notable speakers. These include Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, an esteemed entrepreneur, academic, and leader in sustainability, climate change, and social development. As the president and CEO of the UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA), she leads the organization’s efforts to accelerate climate action.
ADSFF’s speakers will also include H.E. Majid Al Suwaidi, CEO at Alterra. Alterra, launched in the UAE-hosted COP28 last year, is considered the world’s largest private climate investment fund. The UAE’s $30 billion investment fund was launched to mobilize investment at scale to finance various green projects. Also speaking at ADSFF is Emmanuel Givanakis, the CEO of the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) at ADGM. In this capacity, he oversees the regulatory framework that governs financial activities within ADGM.
Safaa El Kogali, GCC director at The World Bank, and Jonathan Dean, head of Impact Investing at AXA, will also talk at the event. Day 4 will also showcase the UAE capital’s efforts to make the financial landscape even more inclusive. The Women in Finance event will gather highly accomplished women in the financial sector to deliver inspirational speeches, share insights, and foster meaningful connections.
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