ADFW 2026 Unveils First Wave of Top Speakers, Bringing the World’s Capital Community to Abu Dhabi
- The first wave includes senior UAE and Abu Dhabi government leaders alongside top global CEOs, chairpersons, founders, and institutional investors from industry giants such as Allianz SE, DBS Group, Franklin Templeton and Temasek Holdings.
Abu Dhabi, UAE, 13 August 2026:Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Executive Council, Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW), hosted by ADGM, today announced the first cohort of leading speakers for its fifth edition, taking place from 7 – 10 December 2026 under the theme ‘The Capital Community, Powered by Partnerships.’
With just under five months to go until the event, ADFW has already attracted more than 200 confirmed top international speakers from government, financial services, investment, technology and innovation, as Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen its position as a leading global hub for capital and investment.
H.E. Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADGM, said: “The exceptional early commitment from global financial leaders to ADFW 2026 reflects growing confidence in Abu Dhabi as a trusted destination for capital, investment and long-term partnerships.
“The strength of ADFW lies not only in the conversations that happen here, but in what they lead to. By bringing together the world’s leading investors, policymakers and innovators, Abu Dhabi creates an environment where dialogue translates into investment and relationships become long-term partnerships. That is what distinguishes Abu Dhabi as the Capital of Capital.”
Government and Abu Dhabi representatives include H.E. Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADGM and the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development; H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, UAE; H.E. Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport;H.E. Dr. Sultan bin Saif Al Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs, UAE; H.E. Shamis Ali Khalfan Al Dhaheri, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Community Development and Second Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerceand Industry;H.E. Salem Al Nuami, Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Pension Fund; H.E. Majid Al Suwaidi, CEO, ALTÉRRA; H.E. Dr. Tariq Bin Hendi, CEO of Botim, Mohamed Abdelbary, GCEO of Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Hamad Al Ameri, CEO of Alpha Dhabi, and Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad.
They will be joined by senior executives from many of the world’s largest financial institutions, including Oliver Bäte, Chairman of the Board of Management and CEO, AllianzSE; Tan Su Shan, CEO, DBS Group;Ron O’Hanley, Chairman & CEO of State Street; Bill Winters, CEO, Standard Chartered; Clare Woodman CBE, CEO, Intl, Morgan Stanley; Stefan Bollinger, CEO, Julius Baer; Dilhan Pillay Sandrasegara, Executive Director and CEO, Temasek Holdings; Andreas Berger, Group CEO, Swiss Re; Charles R. Kaye, Chairman, Warburg Pincus;Hendrik du Toit, Founder and CEO, Ninety One;Tarek Sultan, Chairman, Agility; Steven Desmyter, President, Man Group.
The programme will also feature leading voices from global asset management, alternatives, infrastructure, commodities and institutional investment, such as Jenny Johnson, CEO, Franklin Templeton; Katie Koch, President and CEO, TCW; Tobias C. Pross, CEO, Allianz Global Investors; Marc C. Ganzi, CEO, DigitalBridge; Dmitry Balyasny, Co-Founder, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer, Balyasny Asset Management; Mike Freno, Chairman, President and CEO, Barings; David Druley, CEO, Cambridge Associates; and Stefan Hoops, CEO of DWS.
Reflecting the growing connectivity between finance, technology and innovation, the programme will also feature leaders from the technology, digital assets and fintech ecosystem, including Chamath Palihapitiya, Founder of Social Capital; Richard Teng, CEO of Binance; JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO, Joby Aviation; Robert Smith, Founder & CEO of Vista Equity; Pascal Gauthier, Chairman and CEO, Ledger; Lily Liu, President, Solana Foundation; and Charles Cascarilla, Co-Founder and CEO, Paxos.
Building on the success of previous editions, ADFW 2026 will introduce an expanded programme designed to deepen senior engagement and deliver more focused outcomes. New additions include the inaugural editions of the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Summit, the AIMA Global Hedge Fund Leaders Platform, The Hub71 Startups Campus, a Healthcare and BioTech Forum, as well as multipleGlobal Strategy Roundtables and expanded private forums. Across the week, ADFW 2026 is expected to stage more than 70 thematic events featuring over 800 speakers. The programme will be structured around four main thematic days covering Abu Dhabi’s economic strategy, global markets, asset management, fintech, digital assets, sustainable finance, and Islamic finance.
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Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW)
Launched in 2022 and hosted by ADGM, Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) is the largest financial gathering in the Middle East and Africa, convening investors, business leaders, policymakers and financial institutions to shape the future of finance, investment and the global economy.
Through a curated programme of forums, summits, leadership dialogues and exclusive networking events, ADFW drives high-impact conversations, facilitates cross-border investment and fosters partnerships that unlock new opportunities and accelerate capital flows across international markets.
Held in Abu Dhabi, the ‘Capital of Capital’, ADFW reflects the emirate’s emergence as a global centre for finance, investment and capital allocation. Home to some of the world’s largest pools of institutional capital and a trusted gateway connecting regional and international markets, Abu Dhabi plays an increasingly influential role in shaping global investment flows and economic growth. Since its inception, ADFW has become a catalyst for investment, collaboration and partnership, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading international financial centre and a global hub for capital.
About ADGM
ADGM is the leading international financial centre (IFC) based in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. It is one of the world’s largest financial districts by size and is the largest IFC in the Middle East and Africa by the number of active licences.
ADGM is also one of a handful of jurisdictions globally and the only one in the region to directly apply the trusted legal system of English Common Law.
Governing both Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands, which are collectively designated as Abu Dhabi’s financial free zone, ADGM connects the economies of the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region with global markets. Its progressive and inclusive ecosystem empowers financial and non-financial institutions to thrive, supporting innovation, sustainable growth, and long-term economic resilience.
Through its continued growth and cross-border partnerships, ADGM is strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as the ‘Capital of Capital’ and a leading global hub for finance, investment, and enterprise.
For more details on ADGM, please visit http://www.adgm.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram: @ADGM X: @adglobalmarket
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