ADFW is set to further cement its reputation as one of the most influential financial events in the Middle East, Africa, and Southern Asia (MEASA) region. Under the theme of “Welcome to the Capital of Capital”, the event hosted by ADGM, will see industry titans and government leaders convene for a series of keynote presentations, panel discussions, fireside chats and workshops across over 60 events.
ADFW 2024, held from December 9 to 12 on Al Maryah Island, offers a distinct combination of thought leadership and experiential conferencing, as well as discussions on global issues such as finance, investment, and economy.
“As a marketplace, ADGM has a unique position to see the major issues that affect the global markets, and we have incredible access to hugely intelligent firms and their leaders. This makes us a logical convenor of those asking and answering the really big questions in the financial world. At ADGM, we are committed to driving meaningful dialogue, fostering innovation, and reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s role as the Capital of Capital,” said Chris Hughes, editor-in-chief of ADFW.
Global economic influence
The theme “Welcome to the Capital of Capital” highlights the increasingly central role played by Abu Dhabi in the world of finance, with talks dedicated to the city’s expanding influence on the global economy, as well as insights on how Abu Dhabi’s leadership is building and strengthening the Falcon Economy, with a focus on infrastructure development to foster a sustainable and resilient economy.
The latest on Abu Dhabi’s economic performance will give attendees an important update on the UAE capital’s growth momentum moving forward.
Capitalizing on innovation
Beyond the main theme, this year’s agenda will cover a range of topics and themes to ensure a richer, more engaging experience.
ADFW is capitalizing on the subject of innovation as a key discussion point for a variety of sessions, including one that will give delegates an insightful history lesson on how the financial ecosystem has innovated over time and how the capital markets are evolving in an increasingly digital world.
The confluence of finance and technology will involve talks about how the latest technological upgrades and innovations – from Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data to Machine Learning – are changing the investment and financial landscape not only in terms of the products and solutions that are being offered in the market but also how disputes are being resolved and how talent can be recruited and retained. With these and other interesting discussions, there will be no shortage of innovative ideas at ADFW.
Exploring growth, leveraging opportunities
ADFW puts the spotlight on discussions involving various aspects of the global economy, with talks dedicated to scaling and profitability, bridging the gap between market needs and workforce skills as well as a special focus on growth markets such as India, ASEAN and Latin America.
In addition, China and UAE trade ties will be the subject of a dedicated summit, highlighting the importance of these two markets to each other, and, together, to the growth of the global economy. Talks of growth and expansion will involve discussing opportunities, as well as challenges.
ADFW offers a peak into exciting prospects in asset management, hedge funds and private credit. Real estate will feature significantly in the discussion as well, offering insights into cross-border market dynamics and urban developments across the world that will influence decisions and plans by both developers and investors.
With opportunities come challenges, and there are plenty of sessions dedicated to mitigating risks or future-proofing investments. An intriguing look into fallen unicorns guarantees deep and fresh insights for potential investors to encourage due diligence, realistic valuations, and diversified strategies to safeguard capital.
Sustainability and social impact
All talks of growth and prosperity render themselves meaningless if they are not sustainable. Hence, the return of the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum (ADSFF) on the final day of ADFW.
In its seventh edition, ADSFF will highlight the UAE capital’s commitment to sustainable financial development. With a focus on Regulation, Awareness, Collaboration and Ecosystem ADSFF serves as a platform for discussions on how to achieve the UAE’s net-zero ambitions and foster global sustainable finance practices.
Additionally, we will have focused sessions such as Women in Finance, which address crucial aspects of inclusivity and diversity in the financial sector. Meanwhile, the ADGM Academy will showcase Abu Dhabi’s efforts to cultivate financial talent and will present its initiatives to attract and retain top talent and explain how such endeavors are critical to supporting the growth of the Falcon Economy.
The final day of ADFW will also feature the Energy Transition Summit organized by Eiffel Investment Management at Sorbonne University, on Al Reem Island. The summit will explore strategies for the energy sector’s transition toward sustainability.
All of these events, both established and new, underscore the breadth of ADFW’s offerings and highlight Abu Dhabi’s rise as the ’Capital of Capital’.
