Investopia Summit 2025 witnessed eight key panel discussions under the ‘Dialogues’ track, with the participation of more than 26 speakers. In addition, five roundtable meetings were held on Day 2 under the Investopia ‘Communities’ track, with the participation of leading investors, high-level government officials, decision-makers, companies and entrepreneurs from around the world. The panels tackled several key topics, most notably the latest global and local trends in the fields of circular economy, family offices, innovation and entrepreneurship, in addition to sustainable investment strategies. They highlighted the importance of adopting innovative economic models, achieving integration between the public and private sectors and strengthening strategic partnerships to address current environmental and economic challenges, while highlighting the UAE’s experience in reducing waste and enhancing sustainability and resource efficiency.
Diversifying strategies and policies to face economic crises
Day two agenda of Investopia Dialogues included a session titled “Black Swans and Grey Swans: Policies and Strategies in an Uncertain World”, in which His Excellency Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE minister of Economy and chairman of Investopia; and His Excellency Jean-Pierre Raffarin, former French prime minister, shared their views. The session focused on how governments and the private sector deal with unexpected events that have a high impact on the global economy.
During the session, H.E. Bin Touq spoke about the unexpected challenges that could affect the global economic landscape, including geopolitical risks, such as tensions between China and Taiwan, and the effects of advanced technology and new artificial intelligence applications. He emphasized the importance of economies adapting and raising their readiness to face such developments and challenges through agility, economic diversification, supporting emerging and new sectors, and stimulating innovation. His Excellency said: “Many of these risks and challenges may turn into opportunities if a proactive vision is adopted and flexible economic policies that anticipate future trends are developed.”
In the same context, His Excellency Bin Touq highlighted the importance of developing strategies to deal with crises and pandemics that can lead to severe and sudden economic impacts. He added that knowledge on best methodologies to deal with such crises, especially by enhancing the flexibility of trade and supply chains in light of crises and pandemics, is key. The capabilities of governments, and business sectors to face such challenges should be enhanced through financial flexibility and sound economic knowledge.
Importance of international cooperation
H.E. Bin Touq also pointed out the importance of international cooperation and the exchange of knowledge and best practices in dealing with the impact of the global debt crisis that affects the global economic reality. His Excellency said: “In order to reduce inflation, interest rates were raised, and this trend has a negative impact on the private sector, which is already suffering from a lot of debt. It is important to work on reducing interest rates over the next few years to provide greater opportunities and capabilities for the growth of the private sector and business communities.”
Meanwhile, His Excellency Raffarin touched upon the tensions witnessed by the global economy today resulting from geopolitical and economic risks and variables, including the war in Europe, the new tariffs announced by the new US administration, and Chinese economic policies, noting that many of today’s challenges cannot be predicted. His Excellency explained the importance of openness and cooperation to establish new regulatory frameworks for trade and investment, and the importance of working with the United States and China in this direction. His Excellency underlined the importance of focusing on climate change, environmental protection and sustainable development paths as international commonalities and a global vision shared by countries and societies from Europe to the UAE, China, India and others. He called on the United States of America to return to the climate agreement.
Key drivers for building resilient and sustainable economies
To highlight the importance of entrepreneurship in supporting the global economy, a session entitled “Leading the Future: Innovation and Entrepreneurship as Pillars of Economic Growth” was held, with the participation of Her Excellency Alia Al Mazrouei, UAE minister of State for Entrepreneurship; and Her Excellency Dr. Jelena Begovic, minister of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia.
The session focused on the role of national policies in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship to build resilient economies in light of rapid global changes, in addition to focusing on developing environments that support innovation by facilitating financing, providing incentives, and enhancing cooperation between the public and private sectors.
Her Excellency Alia Al Mazrouei explained that the UAE boasts a flexible legislative and regulatory environment, which has contributed to providing all the capabilities and opportunities for entrepreneurs and owners of small and medium enterprises. The country provides many opportunities for young entrepreneurs and has launched many initiatives in this regard, including the launch of the Emirates Youth Council for Entrepreneurship. It is a key milestone in enhancing national economic competitiveness and providing more capabilities and opportunities for Emirati entrepreneurs.
Integrating AI into UAE’s main economic sectors
Also, Her Excellency Al Mazrouei explained that the UAE pays great attention to integrating artificial intelligence into the country’s main economic sectors, aiming to increase the contribution of artificial intelligence to the country’s GDP to 14 percent, equivalent to AED96 billion by 2030. These goals are driven by a large set of incentives provided by the country at all levels – be it in terms of establishing and starting businesses, attracting and retaining entrepreneurial talents, or developing the country’s infrastructure and legislation, which has contributed to the country’s global position as a dynamic hub for startups.
“Serbia aims to become a major hub for biotechnology and artificial intelligence in Europe through several important measures such as targeting more than 4,000 students in postgraduate studies in this field. We have also integrated artificial intelligence applications into primary education in the country to enhance this strategic direction,” said H.E. Jelena Begovic, noting that the future of legislation related to artificial intelligence is one of the biggest challenges we face currently, calling for strict laws and ethical rules for the use of AI.
A new path to sustainability and economic development
In a session titled “The Future of the Circular Economy: Global Perspectives and the UAE’s Path to the Future,” Massimo Mocio, vice president of Corporate and Investment Banking at IMI at Intesa Sanpaolo Group, and Jonquil Hackenberg, executive director of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, discussed the importance of the shift towards a circular economy in the business sector.
Massimo Mocio praised the significant progress made by the UAE in the field of the circular economy, noting that companies that care about the circular economy are now better positioned to mitigate risks, especially those related to debt repayment. He reviewed Intesa Sanpaolo Bank’s plan for sustainable investment and financing environmental initiatives, including pumping huge investments into green iron production. He also highlighted the multiple partnerships the Bank has concluded with the UAE, including a partnership with the Ministry of Economy to finance startups in the circular economy.
UAE to invest $40 billion in key sectors of Italian economy
Massimo Mocio said: “The recent announcement by the UAE of its plans to invest $40 billion in key sectors of the Italian economy and the recent MoU signed with Intesa Sanpaolo to accelerate the UAE’s transition to a circular economy reflect the two countries’ shared commitment to driving sustainable development and green economic growth. Intesa Sanpaolo is committed to continue supporting the structuring and financing of local circular economy projects, leveraging the EUR8 billion of circular credit provided for in the 2022-2025 Action Plan.”
Jonquil Hackenberg highlighted the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s strategy, which focuses on the circular economy and sustainability, by supporting more than 200 companies involved in circular models in various sectors, such as fashion, food, plastics and packaging industries, among others, noting that the foundation has launched several initiatives in this direction, including the “Food Challenge” initiative. It deals with technological agriculture, in which more than 400 companies participated, meeting the criteria of environmental diversity, soil quality and environmental sustainability.
Strategic partnership in economic diversification and business sustainability
Family offices participated in a panel discussion at Investopia 2025, titled “Family Businesses: The Cornerstone of Economic Development”. Khaled Al Fahim, board member of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Paul Desmarais III, chairman and CEO of Sagard; and Paulina Jakubec, managing director of the Jakubec Family Office Group.
The session focused on the role of family businesses in achieving economic stability and sustainable development, especially with regard to developing emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, agricultural technology, and sustainable tourism, which makes them a key driver of economic growth locally and globally. It reviewed the adoption of long-term investment strategies by family businesses, which works to diversify their economies and create flexibility in making investment decisions. The session also addressed the most prominent challenges facing the continuity of family businesses across generations, stressing the importance of good governance and strategic planning to ensure the sustainability of this investment model.
Khaled Al Fahim highlighted the challenges of the third generation of family businesses, noting that this generation usually faces differences and changes in ideas and business culture, and that family business must keep pace with this change and develop its strategies and be more flexible to be able to withstand pressures and continue to future generations.
Paulina Jakubec pointed to the challenges imposed by technology and artificial intelligence on successive generations of family businesses, and noted the importance of achieving balance and self-learning and continuous learning for family business owners, and transferring experiences and integration between generations.
Growth and investment opportunities in small markets with strategic impact
A session was held with the participation of H.E. Giorgos Papanastasiou, minister of Energy, Trade and Industry of the Republic of Cyprus; and H.E. Frederic Genta, minister in charge of Digital Transformation of the Principality of Monaco; on “Europe’s Specialized Economies: Unlocking Growth Prospects in Small Markets of Strategic Importance”.
The session addressed the role of small European economies such as Cyprus and Monaco in achieving sustainable growth through specialization in high-value sectors, and investment in technology and research and development.
H.E. Papanastasiou reviewed Cyprus’s capabilities in supporting the economy and promoting investment, through its distinguished location between Europe, Africa and the Middle East; the development of its economic legislation that enhances the flexibility and dynamism of its economy, its focus on supporting education and talent, and its massive investment in artificial intelligence, until it became a distinguished destination for talent in Europe. His Excellency also pointed out the importance of ongoing European efforts to accelerate the transition to a green economy and clean energy, while maintaining the competitiveness of the industrial sector.
Meanwhile, His Excellency Frederic Genta reviewed the economic and investment opportunities in the Principality of Monaco, focusing on education, databases and the technology sector. He explained that the Principality has invested $10 billion in technology.
Unicorns drive innovation and boost expansion in the new economy
A session titled “Unicorns in the Region: Driving Growth and Innovation in the New Economy” featured prominent entrepreneurs including Michael Lahyani, founder and CEO of Property Finder Group; Toufic Kreidieh, co-founder and executive chairman of the BFL Group; and Dino Varkey, CEO of GEMS Education; moderated by Dr. Jean Fares, CEO of Investopia.
The panelists discussed the role of unicorns in the UAE and the region in expanding their businesses globally, as well as their strategies for attracting investments and boosting innovation in sectors such as retail, education, technology, and digital infrastructure.
Dino Varkey explained that the UAE was chosen as the group’s headquarters for several reasons, most notably its status as a global trade corridor and a major destination for attracting ambitious talents from around the world, thanks to the vision of the country’s wise leadership. Varkey pointed out that the UAE is one of the fastest countries to invest in the private education sector, explaining that it occupies a global position in this field, which enhances investment opportunities in educational infrastructure.
“There is a global challenge of 70 million teachers, whether in traditional or digital education, which makes focusing on the quality of teachers in schools essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals,” Varkey added.
UAE real estate witnessing significant development
Varkey underlined that traditional education is still the preferred choice for everyone compared to digital education. In the same context, Michael Lahyani, founder and CEO of Property Finder Group, explained that the real estate sector in the UAE is witnessing significant development thanks to the adoption of modern technology solutions and techniques. He emphasized the importance of integrating artificial intelligence into real estate buying and selling processes, considering that those who do not adopt these technologies will find themselves lagging far behind in this field.
Toufic Kreidieh confirmed that his company’s choice of the UAE was due to the strong infrastructure it provides, flexible legislation that supports entrepreneurship, and a stimulating environment for the growth of emerging companies. He pointed out that artificial intelligence is not a substitute for humans but rather accelerates the pace of growth and creates new opportunities in the business world, adding that concepts such as “sustainability” have become pivotal in the world of unicorns. He added that his group was able to achieve rapid growth starting from the Emirates and expanding in the GCC, with the ambition to spread globally and add new economic value.
Innovative strategies for managing risk and investing opportunities in emerging markets
In a session titled “What’s New in Private Equity Investments? Strategies, Opportunities and Risks”, Khalil Charles Massoud, chief investment officer at Alpha Dhabi Holding; Jad Eloun, head of the Middle East at Brookfield; Rishi Kapoor, vice chairman and chief investment officer at Investcorp; and May Nasrallah, CEO of PJT deNovo participated.
During the discussion, the speakers reviewed recent developments in the private equity sector, strategies for adapting to current market conditions, and the impact of geopolitical and economic shifts on investments. They discussed the latest trends in the private equity sector with a focus on sustainable investing and the role of technology in enhancing efficiency and profitability. Participants also stressed the importance of environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards, the importance of diversifying investment portfolios and improving risk management in companies.
In this context, Khalil Masoud said that economies need more foreign investment and work to attract more liquidity to ensure the sustainability of national economies, while Rishi Kapoor said: “The UAE economy is characterized by continuous diversification, driven by a noticeable growth in the small and medium-sized enterprises sector, a pioneering legislative environment and a global infrastructure that has contributed to transforming the UAE into a regional business hub in the Gulf region, and one of the most important markets in the world for establishing businesses.”
May Nasrallah said: “The Middle East is one of the most important regions in the world economically as it has succeeded in attracting considerable investments over the past 20 years, especially with the Gulf region transforming into a major economic power represented by many vital economic markets, the most important of which is the UAE.” Jad Alwan pointed out during the session that developing the process of exiting companies begins first with the strength of the company and its assets.
Investment prospects and opportunities in Africa
Yet another session titled “Unlocking Investment Opportunities in Africa” witnessed the participation of Her Excellency Manuela Santos, minister of Industry and Investment Promotion of the Republic of Togo; and Her Excellency Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, minister of Industry, Trade and Investment of Nigeria, exploring strategic investment opportunities and economic growth prospects in Africa, highlighting national priorities, sectoral opportunities and policy frameworks that can enhance trade and investment flows across the continent, and focusing on how governments can facilitate private sector participation, address regulatory challenges and drive sustainable development in Africa.
Her Excellency Dr. Jumoke Oduwole explained investment opportunities in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and that its economy is focused on non-oil economies, an aspect that it shares with the UAE, along with other aspects such as interest in the circular economy, renewable energy and sustainability.
Her Excellency reviewed the capabilities of the Republic of Nigeria, including its possession of free zones and strong legislation that guarantee good investment and represent a means of attracting investors. Nigeria excels in the digital commerce sector in Africa, and called for partnerships and cooperation in this field, and that the Investopia Summit is an effective platform. Meanwhile, H.E. Manuela Santos praised the promising investment opportunities in the Republic of Togo, and that it has the largest renewable solar energy plant, and that Togo is looking to diversify its energy sources, focusing on other sectors such as agriculture and construction, and Togo seeks to benefit from the UAE in the tourism, technology and renewable energy sectors.
Roundtable meetings
The second day of Investopia 2025 also witnessed five roundtable meetings under the Investopia Communities theme. They addressed a range of vital economic and investment issues on the future of hospitality in the UAE, the circular economy, artificial intelligence, and global investment, with the participation of a group of leaders, decision-makers, investors, and experts. The factors that drive investors to choose between AI developers were also discussed, as well as how investors manage the risks associated with advanced technologies, and global business trends to enhance cross-border investment flows.
