Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) 2024 wrapped up on 12 December after a successful week of events, drawing over 20,000 participants from across the globe.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, the event solidified Abu Dhabi’s position as one of the world’s leading financial centers.
With the theme “Welcome to the Capital of Capital,” ADFW 2024 explored the multifaceted nature of capital, encompassing economic, human, cultural, technological, and environmental aspects.
The event featured over 350 sessions and 60 events, including new additions like the UBS Investor Forum, the Islamic Finance Summit, the Spear’s Private Wealth Summit, and the Abu Dhabi Capital Markets Showcase, all contributing to a broader and more dynamic conversation.
The event also marked the 40th anniversary of UAE-China bilateral relations with a special edition of the UAE-China Investment Forum held in collaboration with HSBC.
High-profile speakers included leaders from major financial institutions like Blackrock, UBS, and HSBC, as well as government officials and industry experts.
Notably, Fintech Abu Dhabi featured keynotes from influential figures like former UK Prime Minister David Cameron and H.R.H. Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud.
The Abu Dhabi Economic Forum provided insights into the “Falcon Economy” and the emirate’s economic future, while the Asset Abu Dhabi forum convened investors managing over US$ 42.5 trillion in assets.
Sustainability remained a key focus, with the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum (ADSFF) seeing 44 new signatories to the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Declaration, bringing the total to 160 members.
The forum emphasised the UAE’s commitment to net-zero goals, with discussions specifically focused on global climate fund mobilization and the role of AI in addressing climate challenges.
ADFW 2024 also facilitated numerous partnerships, with over 44 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed between organizations like ADGM, Istanbul Financial Centre, and Polygon.
Notably, one agreement was signed between Circle and Binance to explore stablecoin adoption.
ADFW 2025 is scheduled for 8-11 December 2025.
His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Development (ADDED) and ADGM said,
“Abu Dhabi Finance Week serves as a powerful platform for global financial leaders to convene, exchange ideas, and explore the future of capital. As the ‘Capital of Capital,’ Abu Dhabi is perfectly positioned to drive forward-thinking discussions on economic, technological, and sustainable transitions that are crucial to shaping the next decade of global finance.
The success of this year’s ADFW demonstrates the trust and confidence the international financial community places in our city, and we remain committed to fostering innovation and partnerships that will shape the future of finance.”
