Abu Dhabi Summit 2025: Rethinking Future City Infrastructure

Photo: Abu Dhabi Media Office 

The first-ever Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit (ADIS) 2025 ended with many important discussions and decisions about how cities should look in the future. The summit was held under the theme “Future Cities: Rethinking Infrastructure for Better Lifestyles.”

This big event attracted more than 4,000 people from over 100 countries, showing that experts and leaders worldwide want to work together to build better cities. During the two-day summit, 15 agreements and partnerships were signed to support these goals.

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Focus on Abu Dhabi’s Role in Building Future Cities

The summit showed how Abu Dhabi wants to lead in making cities that are strong in the economy and good for people’s daily lives. Leaders and speakers explained how Abu Dhabi is using new technology, smart policies, and partnerships to build cities that are safe, comfortable, and good for the environment.

Lifestyle Development: Welcome Speech by HE Engineer Maysarah Mahmoud Salim Eid

On the second day, the theme was Lifestyle Development. His Excellency Engineer Maysarah Mahmoud Salim Eid, Director General at Abu Dhabi Projects and Infrastructure Centre (ADPIC), gave a welcome speech. He said this summit is very important because it connects ideas and actions globally. He also said: “Infrastructure is not just a background. It is the backbone that carries a city’s values, identity, and readiness for the future.”

Panel: Urban Excellence – Learning from the World’s Top Cities

One of the main panels was called “Urban Excellence: Lessons from the World’s Most Innovative Cities.” The speakers were:

• Daniel Liu, Executive Director, MORROW Intelligence

• Emre Arolat, Founding Partner, Emre Arolat Architecture

• Asma Aljassmi, Executive Director, Aldar Projects

• Greg Bargull, Executive Director, Modon

Daniel Liu said cities should measure infrastructure based on how it helps people, not just by cost or size. Emre Arolat talked about the role of design in showing a city’s local identity and how people live. Asma Aljassmi shared how public and private sectors work together to make communities liveable and strong. Greg Bargull added that cities should focus on human needs first to succeed in the long run.

Panel: Connecting to Nature in Urban Development

Another important session was “Beyond Steel and Concrete: Connecting to Nature in Urban Development,” led by Paul O’Brien, Chief Development Officer at Modon. He explained how Modon is working to build cities that mix nature and technology.

Paul O’Brien said Modon designs projects from the ground up to include nature, sustainability, and technology together. Because of their large scale, they can create efficiencies and value for their projects. He also said that Modon is now sharing its ideas with other countries, showing that cities work better when they work with nature and not against it.

Panel: Redefining Public Spaces and Smart Mobility

The discussion on “Redefining Public Spaces: Smart Mobility and Multifunctional Urban Hubs” was very exciting. The panel included:

• Omran Malek, Head of SAVI Cluster, Abu Dhabi Investment Office

• Dr Talib Alhinai, General Manager – UAE, Archer Aviation

• Salam Ilayyan, Advisor, ADPIC

• Prashant Kapila, Board Member, FIDIC

Salam Ilayyan said every citizen wants public spaces to be open, safe, human-friendly, and climate-resilient with technology and sustainability features.

Omran Malek shared Abu Dhabi’s plans to use existing spaces like helipads and parking lots for multi-modal transport to save space and money. Dr Talib Alhinai spoke about Archer Aviation’s plan to replace long car drives with short electric air taxi flights, making travel faster and cleaner. The panel also discussed how frameworks and teamwork are needed to make these ideas real in cities.

Panel: Themed Luxury Development – Creating Special Lifestyles

The summit also explored how luxury real estate is changing. The panel called “Themed Luxury Development: Deeper Brand Immersion” included:

• Michael Belton, CEO, MERED

• Kristina Zanic, CEO & Founder, Kristina Zanic Consultants

• David Harman, Chief Development Officer, Modon Real Estate

• Mulham G. Kheriba, CDO, Reportage

• Kourosh Salehi, Partner & Global Design Principal, LWK + Partners

Kristina Zanic said luxury is no longer only about expensive interiors. It now includes well-being elements like clean air and water, and designs that connect with nature.

David Harman said luxury today is about how people feel, their safety, and their health. Mulham G. Kheriba explained that Reportage has no debt because it controls its projects from design to execution, saving costs for buyers. Kourosh Salehi said that Abu Dhabi now has its own unique style and no longer needs to copy other cities, focusing on quality public spaces and buildings that connect with the city.

Final Session: Lifestyle Infrastructure – Building a Billion-Dollar Wellness Economy

The last session was called “Lifestyle Infrastructure: Building a Billion-Dollar Wellness Economy.” It featured:

• His Excellency Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Financial Affairs Executive Director, ADPIC

• Georges-Pascal Haber, CEO, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi

His Excellency Mohammed Al Suwaidi said Abu Dhabi combines its culture and traditions with technology to create a special wellness experience. Georges-Pascal Haber said Abu Dhabi is now a centre for healthcare and wellness, attracting top global talent because of its excellent infrastructure and environment.

Final Takeaways from ADIS 2025

The Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit 2025 was a big success, showing Abu Dhabi’s leadership in building cities that are strong in economy and good for people’s daily lives. Over 70 speakers shared their ideas, giving new inspiration and knowledge for urban planners and leaders worldwide.

The summit proved that future cities are not just about tall buildings and roads, but about creating places where people can live happily, healthily, and sustainably. With its focus on nature, wellness, smart mobility, and strong partnerships, Abu Dhabi is setting an example for other cities to follow.