Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) is gearing up for its highly anticipated second edition, set to kick off on November 27th. Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Executive Council, and presented by Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) as headline partners, ADFW is poised to surpass the success of its previous year, promising an even more impressive event.
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The highly anticipated second edition ADFW is set to gather the world’s most influential financial leaders for a four-day event from November 27th to 30th, 2023. With its core theme of “Investing in the Transition Era,” the event will feature engaging debates among the industry’s elite. The recently released agenda reveals a remarkable lineup of 45 events and 180 different sessions, showcasing the participation of esteemed heads of investment funds and numerous high-net-worth individuals from around the world. This impressive gathering represents senior financial leadership with a cumulative asset under management of $30 trillion, solidifying ADFW as a prominent global platform for industry leaders.
In addition to the previously announced distinguished individuals such as the legendary investor Ray Dalio, CEO of Franklin Templeton Jenny Johnson, and senior leaders from Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, BNY Mellon, Rockefeller, State Street, and TCI, ADFW will also showcase a specially recorded message from Jamie Dimon, chairman and CEO of JP Morgan Chase, the largest American bank. This exclusive message from such a prominent figure in the financial industry adds another layer of significance to the event.
Opening ceremony
On November 27th, the official opening ceremony of ADFW will mark the beginning of a series of impactful events. Following this, the highly anticipated inaugural Abu Dhabi Economic Forum will take place. This exclusive forum, by invitation only, will bring together high-level leaders including the Ministers of Economy & Climate and the leadership of three Abu Dhabi-based Sovereign Wealth Funds. During the forum, key aspects of Abu Dhabi’s thriving and resilient economy will be unveiled, shedding light on the region’s stability and growth.
Second day
The second day of the event will kick off with the highly anticipated Asset Abu Dhabi conference. This conference will delve into the dynamic investment strategies employed by hedge funds, private equity firms, and venture capital powerhouses in global markets. The event will feature insightful fireside chats with industry luminaries such as Ray Dalio, Alan Howard, and Jenny Johnson. Additionally, the conference will simultaneously host two other forums dedicated to exploring the investment strategies of International Family Offices and Turnaround & Restructuring.
Early adoption and exploration of AI
Continuing the series, on November 29th, Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) will focus on the convergence of finance and technology with Fintech Abu Dhabi. As the largest Fintech Festival in the MENA region, this 7th edition will showcase specialized forums on AI, Blockchain, and Risk & Security. The highlight sessions of this thematic day will feature engaging debates on topics such as the financial crime economy. Moreover, key institutions in Abu Dhabi’s AI ecosystem will come together to discuss ‘Why Abu Dhabi was Talking About AI Before It Was Cool’.
Final day
 The last day of ADFW will be dedicated to the crucial theme of sustainable finance, coinciding with the opening sessions of COP28. The R.A.C.E. (Regulation, Awareness, Collaboration & Ecosystems) Sustainability Summit will take center stage, engaging participants in insightful discussions and initiatives. Attendees will have the opportunity to livestream the opening ceremony of COP28, enhancing their experience. The summit will also feature sessions that analyze the future of transition finance, featuring prominent speakers such as the CEO of State Street, a renowned asset manager with $3.9 trillion in assets under management. CEOs from Lazard, Investcorp, and TCI will also contribute their expertise to the forum. Additionally, the event will unveil the findings of the Global Financial Regulators Summit, a significant closed gathering of 15 global financial regulatory leaders that took place on November 29th, alongside Fintech Abu Dhabi.
During the course of the week, ADGM’s North Plaza will serve as the venue for ‘Falcon Square,’ an ecosystem dedicated to technology and innovation. This event will highlight discussions on entrepreneurship and venture fundraising. Additionally, the ADFW Startups Campus will showcase 60 startups over a span of four days.
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