Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2025 Sets Global Financial Benchmarks

Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) 2025, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, concluded after a landmark week of strategic discussions, major announcements, and global collaborations that reinforced Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading international financial hub.

Organised by Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) with ADQ as Headline Partner, ADFW 2025 hosted more than 35,000 attendees representing 175 nationalities, with over 30% international participants. The event featured 68 high-profile events, 394 thematic sessions, and 819 speakers, alongside 69 global and regional partners, including Hanwha as Strategic Partner.

Global Capital Milestones

For the first time, total assets represented during the week exceeded US$62 trillion — equivalent to 53% of global GDP. Eleven global financial institutions managing over US$9 trillion in assets announced their presence in Abu Dhabi, while firms such as Cantor Fitzgerald, BBVA, Arab Bank Switzerland, Plenary ME Infrastructure Partners, iCapital, and Eurasian Development Bank opened offices in ADGM.

Major Strategic Announcements

ADFW 2025 witnessed significant global financial and philanthropic initiatives:

• A US$1.9 billion global commitment to eradicate polio was announced by the Mohamed bin Zayed (MBZ) Foundation for Humanity, attended by Bill Gates.

• Binance became the first crypto exchange licensed under ADGM’s regulatory framework, setting a global benchmark for digital asset oversight.

• ERM, a global sustainability consultancy, launched its new ADGM office to advance sustainable finance initiatives.

Innovation and Economic Growth Initiatives

• Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) unveiled the FinTech, Insurance, Digital and Alternative Assets (FIDA) cluster to accelerate innovation and diversification.

• Mubadala and Aldar announced a AED60 billion (US$16.34 billion) joint venture to expand ADGM’s Al Maryah Island district by 1.5 million sqm.

• Halo Investing and ADGM launched Majarra, a capital markets ecosystem enabling protective UAE-originated investments to reach global markets.

Recognition and Strategic Collaborations

The inaugural Financial Centres Competitiveness Index (FCCI), revealed by Stern School of Business at NYU Abu Dhabi, ranked Abu Dhabi as the top financial centre in MENA and 12th globally. A total of 82 MoUs and partnerships were signed, including collaborations among Blackrock, Franklin Templeton, Mubadala, Mastercard, Hanwha, Swiss Re, Crypto.com, and more.

Anchored by the theme “Engineering the Capital Network,” ADFW 2025 demonstrated Abu Dhabi’s continued emergence as a global financial epicentre. Platforms like ADFW are set to further strengthen Abu Dhabi’s role in connecting capital, technology, and policy, with the next edition scheduled for 7-10 December 2026.