UPDATE: Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) 2025 has just concluded, marking a historic milestone with over 35,000 attendees, including more than 30% international participants from 175 nationalities. This year’s event, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has solidified Abu Dhabi’s status as a premier global financial hub.
The event, which took place from December 15-19, 2025, saw a record-breaking total of assets represented, surpassing USD 62 trillion—an astounding 53% of global GDP. The high-profile gathering included 819 influential speakers and over 69 global and regional partners, showcasing dynamic discussions and transformative collaborations.
H.E. Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), stated, “ADFW has been recognised as one of the world’s most influential financial gatherings. This record-breaking edition demonstrated Abu Dhabi’s ability to convene global capital at a meaningful scale.”
Among the significant announcements was the introduction of 11 global financial institutions managing over USD 9 trillion in assets under management (AUM), further establishing Abu Dhabi’s financial ecosystem. Notable institutions like UBS Group, KKR, and Julius Baer made headlines by setting up operations within ADGM’s jurisdiction.
A pivotal moment in the event was the USD 1.9 billion commitment to eradicate polio, announced during a high-profile session attended by Bill Gates and numerous global donors. This initiative underscores the intersection of finance and philanthropy, emphasizing the role of capital in addressing global challenges.
In a groundbreaking development, Binance became the first cryptocurrency exchange to receive a global licence under ADGM’s regulatory framework, establishing a new standard for digital asset oversight. This move highlights Abu Dhabi’s leadership in financial innovation and regulatory advancements.
Moreover, the inaugural Financial Centres Competitiveness Index (FCCI) revealed Abu Dhabi as the top financial centre in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and 12th globally, reinforcing its influence on the global financial landscape.
The theme for this year’s ADFW, “Engineering the Capital Network,” emphasized Abu Dhabi’s role in shaping the future of finance by connecting capital, technology, and policy. Throughout the event, an impressive 82 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed, fortifying cross-border alliances and innovation pipelines for the upcoming year.
The next edition of Abu Dhabi Finance Week is scheduled for December 7-10, 2026, promising to build on the momentum and achievements of ADFW 2025.
For more urgent updates and insights from ADFW 2025, visit www.adfw.com.
