The agenda for ADFW 2024 includes over 60 main and side events and more than 350 thematic sessions
ADGM has unveiled Abu Dhabi Finance Week’s (ADFW 2024) agenda for this year with a lineup of industry-shaping events, influential speakers, and strategic forums that will explore the theme of ‘Welcome to the Capital of Capital’.
ADFW 2024 will take place from December 9 to 12, 2024, convening some of the most renowned global financial leaders, investors, policymakers and thought leaders to address and analyze topics such as economic, human, cultural, environmental, and technological capital that make Abu Dhabi the Capital of Capital.
“Abu Dhabi Finance Week has firmly established itself as a global platform that attracts the most influential voices in the financial industry from across borders. This year’s agenda for ADFW is a testament to Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading international financial hub, where innovation and collaboration drive progress for the Falcon Economy,” stated His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Member of Abu Dhabi’s Executive Council and Chairman of ADDED and ADGM.
Key forums to attend
The agenda for ADFW 2024 includes over 60 main and side events, more than 350 thematic sessions, and approximately 600 speakers. The event expects a gathering of over 20,000 attendees from around the world, representing over $30 trillion in managed assets.
“ADFW continues to create unparalleled opportunities for meaningful dialogue, shaping strategies that strengthen resilience and growth in today’s evolving economic landscape, welcoming them to the Capital of Capital,” added Al Zaabi.
Key returning forums during ADFW 2024 will include the Abu Dhabi Economic Forum, Asset Abu Dhabi, RESOLVE 2024, Fintech Abu Dhabi, and the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum (ADSFF). Meanwhile, new events for this year will include the UBS Investment Forum, the China UAE Investment Summit with HSBC, the Islamic Finance Summit, the Spear’s Private Wealth Summit, and the Abu Dhabi Capital Markets Showcase.
Day 1: Abu Dhabi Economic Forum
The official opening ceremony of ADFW 2024 will take place on December 9 in the presence of members of Abu Dhabi’s leadership, heads of leading global investment and financial firms, and other VIPs from the financial industry.
Abu Dhabi Economic Forum is a high-level leadership forum that will feature in-depth discussions on the current state of and prospects for the Falcon Economy. It will bring together senior members of the Abu Dhabi government and prominent figures from the private sector, representing key industries. Speakers will include the CEOs of Blackrock, Morgan Stanley, HSBC, Citigroup, BNY, Lunate, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) and Aldar.
Top sessions during the first day include “A Mission of Rorix” by His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi – Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Minister in Charge of Talent Attraction and Retention and UAE Ministry of Economy; “A New Era of Capital Flows in a Polycentric World” by Abu Dhabi’s leading Sovereign Wealth Funds; and “The ADFW Boardroom: Abu Dhabi In the Global Economy” with Ray Dalio, founder and CIO mentor of Bridgewater Associates, Sergio Ermotti, group CEO of UBS, and Jihad Azour, director, Middle East and Central Asia Department of International Monetary Fund (IMF).
ADEF Private Leadership Forum, Abu Dhabi Capital Markets Forum, the UBS Investor Forum, and the ADGM Gala Dinner are a few of the major sub-events happening on the first day of ADFW 2024.
The newly introduced Abu Dhabi Capital Markets Forum will witness Yusuffali MA, chairman of Lulu Group, share insights into the investment case of Lulu. Other investment cases also include ADNOC Drilling, ADNOC Distribution, Aldar, ADIB, and Borouge among others.
Day 2: Asset Abu Dhabi and RESOLVE
The second day of ADFW 2024 starts with “Asset Abu Dhabi” in association with ADCB, Mubadala and PGIM Global Asset Management. It will build on the success of its 2023 edition and continue to shed light on critical topics such as Principles of a Changing World Order, Inside the Hedge Fund Industry, The Remarkable Opportunities & Challenges of AI and The Market View of Trillion Dollar Asset Managers.
Bringing together asset allocators, asset managers, investment bankers, venture capitalists, private equities, family offices and other institutional investors, collectively managing over $30 trillion in assets, ADFW 2024 will see industry titans such as Ray Dalio, Robert Smith, founder, chairman & CEO at Vista Equity Partners, Aron Landy, CEO at Brevan Howard, and Bill Huffman, CEO at Nuveen, take to the stage.
On day two, ADFW 2024 will also feature “RESOLVE”, in collaboration with the Judicial Department. Under the theme of resilience, the event is set to host impactful conversations among key stakeholders from the global dispute resolution community and leaders from government, industry, and academia. Class Actions for Societal Harm – The Silicon Valley Backlash, Navigating the AI Legal Frontier, Resilience in Action: The UAE’s Readiness for Future Disputes, From Risk to Resolution – Restructuring and Insolvency in Complex Times, The Climate Conundrum – The Uncertain Road Ahead.
Day 3: Fintech Abu Dhabi
Fintech Abu Dhabi, the Middle East’s largest fintech festival, will spotlight during ADFW 2024 innovations in AI, digital security, and blockchain technology. Breakout events like Blockchain Abu Dhabi, RISK 4.0 Forum, Islamic Finance Summit, and the AI Abu Dhabi Forum will also showcase the transformative potential of emerging technologies.
Leading voices, including Jeremy Allaire, CEO and founder of Circle, Richard Teng, CEO of Binance, and Caroline Pham, U.S. CFTC commissioner, will discuss the evolving landscape of financial technology.
The top sessions to look out for are “Investing in AI: What Does the Next World Look Like?” and “Has the Unicorn Machine Stopped Working”.
The Global Financial Regulator Summit also returns to ADFW 2024 as a closed-door gathering of international senior regulatory bodies and representatives from the MENA region, the European Union, the U.K., Asia, and the U.S. to discuss the approach to the opportunities and challenges presented by the rise of AI.
Read: Abu Dhabi’s ascent continues as the ‘Falcon Economy’ soars
Day 4: Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum
Exactly one year after hosting its last edition at COP28, the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum (ADSFF) will be held on the fourth and final day of ADFW 2024 to conduct discussions on sustainable finance, impact investing, and net-zero commitments. The event, held in partnership with HSBC, SmartEnergy, and Global Climate Finance Center (GCFC), will cover topics including “How Impactful is Impact Investing?” and “The Evolution of Carbon Markets”, with impactful voices like Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan and Jonathan Dean of AXA IM underscoring Abu Dhabi’s commitment to sustainability and green finance.
Another notable session is the keynote speech by Her Excellency Carme Artigas Brugal, co-chair of the AI Advisory Body at the United Nations, where she will speak on the UN’s advancements in setting international rules for AI.
ADFW 2024 will also host a fireside chat with His Excellency Majid Al Suwaidi, CEO of Alterra, on the launch of the world’s largest climate fund where he will discuss its anticipated impacts and strategic directions.
Curated side events such as Women in Finance will also gather highly accomplished women in the financial landscape. The ADFW Venture Park will showcase inspiring insights and thought-leadership ideas from entrepreneurs, investors, business leaders, and special guests covering a broad range of topics that seek to empower and challenge entrepreneurs.
For more information and news about ADFW 2024, click here.