ADFW 2023 achieves monumental success with over 18,000 attendees
- 15 Dec 2023
Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW), presented by Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) with Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) as headline partner has successfully concluded its 2023 edition, reaffirming its growing status as a key financial annual event of the Mena region as it hosted 18,000+ people from the financial industry during its four thematic days, an increase of more than double from its 2022 inaugural edition.
The second edition debated the theme ‘Investing in the Transition Era’ this year, focusing on the economic, technological, and energy transitions that are expected to shape the next decade of global finance and world economies, in a changing world order. It hosted five main events spread across 46 sub-events that saw 180+ sessions and 300+ speakers taking the stage.
ADFW attracted a diverse and international audience, of which 39% of the total represented an international audience, majorly consisting of business leaders, including over 3,500 senior financial leaders from top global financial firms, industry experts, policymakers, regulators, investors, and bankers travelling to Abu Dhabi from over 100 countries included the following; United Kingdom, United States, India,, Mainland China, Singapore, Switzerland, France and Canada and the GCC region. The event featured a series of five global leadership forums, with heads of firms across Private Equity, Capital Markets, Hedge Funds, Asset Managers, Venture Capitalists, Institutional Investors, Investment Banks, and fintechs collectively managing over $30 trillion in assets - a staggering 22% of the global economy.
Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Development (ADDED) and ADGM, said, “In the past two years, ADFW has served as a platform to host global influential thought leaders in the finance and investments sector to discuss critical topics outlining the changing industry dynamics and opportunities and in further reinforcing ADGM’s position as one of the leading financial centres in the MEASA Region. With this year’s theme being ‘Investing in the Transition Era, the discussions focused on tackling challenges and harnessing opportunities within a transition era. It is clear that markets are responding to major geo-economic, technological and energy transitions, and ADGM is proud to be at the centre of these conversations. As leaders work to develop intelligent strategies to achieve progress and growth across the next decade, our future thinking and future-ready international financial centre is now a key pivot-point.
With several strategic outcomes emerging from Abu Dhabi Finance Week, including the announcement of establishment of over a dozen major institutions, our reputation as a Capital of Capital continues to thrive. Our ambitions are accelerated, and we look forward to an even bigger ADFW in 2024.” 2023 has been a milestone year for ADGM, with 14 major financial institutions representing a total AUM of $452 billion announcing the establishment of a presence within ADGM with major names such as NinetyOne, Rothschild & Co, GQG Partners, TCI and eToro during the four-day event.
It also witnessed the signing of 25 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between international and regional players, setting the bar high for the growth of the financial sector and its contribution to Abu Dhabi’s rising falcon economy in 2024.
In its commitment to advancing the financial and sustainable economic landscape of the UAE and the industry, ADFW hosted five key theme events, starting with the Abu Dhabi Economic Forum and then followed by Asset Abu Dhabi, the Global Financial Regulators Summit, the 7th edition of Fintech Abu Dhabi and the R.A.C.E. (Regulation, Awareness, Collaboration, Ecosystem) Sustainability Summit. The forum also included breakout events such as Asset Abu Dhabi Private, the Asset Abu Dhabi GP-LP Programme, and The International Family Office Forum. Blockchain Abu Dhabi, AI Abu Dhabi, and Risk 4.0.
Running just ahead of COP28, this year’s edition received increased footfall as world leaders and representatives gathered to host climate-related discussions in the UAE.
Abu Dhabi Finance Week has rapidly become one of the largest events of its kind in the Middle East, garnering global attention, and reaffirming the pivotal role of Abu Dhabi, the Capital of Capital, in leading global conversations to reshape the financial and economic landscape in line with tectonic shifts at regional and international levels.
The event showcases the pioneering spirit of the global financial sector and the wealth of talent and innovation in Abu Dhabi and the UAE. With a robust agenda, it convenes financial leaders and policymakers to engage with transformative ideas that shape our global financial landscape and address the challenges of the transitioning era.”
