Abu Dhabi to Host ADIS 2026 Infrastructure Summit

Abu Dhabi Projects and Infrastructure Centre has officially announced the second edition of the Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit, scheduled to take place from May 12 to 14, 2026, at the ADNEC Centre in Abu Dhabi.

Positioned as the emirate’s flagship infrastructure and urban development event, ADIS 2026 will return with an expanded format, reflecting growing global demand and a stronger focus on large-scale project delivery and real-world impact.

Theme Focused on Future Cities

Held under the theme “Urban Evolution: Rethinking Cities, Redefining How We Live,” the summit will bring together government leaders, global CEOs, developers, investors, and innovators. The goal is to accelerate the development of resilient, sustainable, and people-centric cities worldwide.

$57 Billion Infrastructure Pipeline Highlight

The summit is anchored by Abu Dhabi’s massive $57 billion infrastructure pipeline, covering sectors such as housing, transport, culture, education, and social infrastructure. This positions the emirate as a global benchmark for sustainable urban development.

According to ADPIC, over 100 capital projects were successfully delivered in 2025, showcasing Abu Dhabi’s strong execution capabilities in large-scale infrastructure.

Leadership Vision for Urban Development

Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, emphasized that the summit goes beyond showcasing projects.

He stated that Abu Dhabi is focused on designing and delivering cities that prioritize people through integrated planning, advanced mobility systems, and world-class infrastructure.

Rising Global Demand for Smart Cities

With nearly 70% of the global population expected to live in cities by 2050, the need for smarter and more sustainable urban solutions is rapidly increasing.

Abu Dhabi’s economy reached AED 325.7 billion in Q3 2025, with the construction sector growing by 13.9% year-on-year, highlighting strong momentum in infrastructure development.

Global Collaboration and Investment Opportunities

Maysarah Mahmoud Eid, Director General of ADPIC, noted that Abu Dhabi’s success lies in execution, not just ambition. He highlighted that ADIS 2026 will bring together global partners, investors, and innovators to shape the future of urban development.

Key Themes and New Additions

The summit will feature:

• A multi-day conference and large-scale exhibition

• Business matchmaking sessions

• Focus on four major themes:

  • Delivery-first infrastructure

  • Urban wellbeing

  • Smart technologies

  • Sustainability and resilience

For the first time, ADIS will collaborate with International Federation of Consulting Engineers to host sessions on contracting, dispute resolution, and global project standards.

Strong International Participation Expected

ADIS 2026 will see increased participation from countries including Singapore, China, and Türkiye. This follows successful international roadshows in 2025 that resulted in multiple agreements and business collaborations.

Building on a Successful First Edition

The inaugural summit, attended by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, attracted over 4,100 participants from more than 100 countries and concluded with 15 strategic agreements.

With expanded scale and global participation, ADIS 2026 aims to move beyond discussions and focus on delivering real infrastructure outcomes.