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, Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) will return for its fourth edition from 8 to 11 December 2025.
Organised by the ADGM, the international financial centre of Abu Dhabi, and headlined by ADQ, ADFW is set to expand significantly in scope and scale, with the upcoming edition expected to be twice the size of its predecessor.
Centred on the theme ‘Engineering the Capital Network’, ADFW 2025 will explore the intersection of technological innovation and global finance.
The term ‘Engineering’ reflects the growing application of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing in financial systems, while ‘Capital Network’ refers to the evolving global capital flows and the increasing significance of the Gulf region as a financial hub.
Abu Dhabi, once known primarily as a capital exporter, now plays a broader role in global markets, facilitated by institutional strength and a regulatory framework led by ADGM.
Commenting on the event, Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADGM, said:
“ADFW 2025 is set to be our most ambitious edition of this hugely successful event. With this year’s edition to be held at a new location and double in size from last year’s ADFW venue, we are setting a new standard for financial gatherings in the region and beyond. This reflects Abu Dhabi’s growing influence in global capital markets and our commitment to continue creating a truly international financial platform.”
In recent years, ADFW has served as a platform for cross-border announcements, partnerships and institutional expansions.
During the 2023 edition, global financial institutions with a combined US$450 billion in assets under management (AUM) announced plans to establish operations in ADGM.
This trend continued in 2024, with institutions representing US$650 billion in AUM joining the ADGM ecosystem.
ADFW benefits from the support of all three of Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth funds and is backed by more than 50 local and international partners, underscoring its institutional reach.
In 2024, ADFW welcomed over 20,000 participants including executives, policymakers and industry leaders, representing institutions managing a total of US$42.5 trillion in assets.
The event featured more than 350 sessions across 60 forums, covering a range of topics such as global economic trends, asset management, technology and sustainability.
Abu Dhabi continues to play a growing role in shaping the global financial landscape.
In 2024, its sovereign wealth funds collectively managed approximately US$1.7 trillion in assets, reinforcing the city’s position among the wealthiest globally and supporting its long-term investment capacity.
Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Middle East, based on image by wirestock via Freepik
