ADGM Confirms Fifth Finance Week Edition; 200+ Global Speakers Lined Up for December 2026

Abu Dhabi Global Market will host the fifth edition of Abu Dhabi Finance Week from December 7 to 10, 2026, organizers confirmed this week. The event, administered by ADGM under the banner “The Capital Community, Powered by Partnerships,” has already secured commitments from more than 200 senior international speakers, with roughly five months still to go before the opening session.

Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADGM and the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, framed the early confirmations as a direct signal of institutional confidence. “The exceptional early commitment from global financial leaders to ADFW 2026 reflects growing confidence in Abu Dhabi as a trusted destination for capital, investment and long-term partnerships,” he said. Al Zaabi added that the conference’s value extends beyond the sessions themselves: “The strength of ADFW lies not only in the conversations that happen here, but in what they lead to. By bringing together the world’s leading investors, policymakers and innovators, Abu Dhabi creates an environment where dialogue translates into investment and relationships become long-term partnerships.”

The 2026 program is substantially larger than previous editions. Organizers plan more than 70 thematic events across the four days, drawing on contributions from over 800 speakers in total. The week will be structured around four main thematic days covering Abu Dhabi’s economic strategy, global markets, asset management, fintech, digital assets, sustainable finance and Islamic finance.

New program components include inaugural editions of the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Summit, the AIMA Global Hedge Fund Leaders Platform, The Hub71 Startups Campus, and a Healthcare and BioTech Forum. Multiple Global Strategy Roundtables and expanded private forums are also planned, designed to deepen senior-level engagement and produce more focused outcomes.

Abu Dhabi government representation at the conference will be considerable. Confirmed speakers include Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade; Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport; Dr Sultan bin Saif Al Neyadi, UAE Minister of State for Youth Affairs; and Shamis Ali Khalfan Al Dhaheri, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Community Development and Second Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Salem AlNuaimi, Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Pension Fund, will also participate.

Meanwhile, the international financial leadership roster spans some of the largest institutions in global markets. Oliver Bäte, Chairman and CEO of Allianz SE; Tan Su Shan, CEO of DBS Group; Ron O’Hanley, Chairman and CEO of State Street; and Bill Winters, CEO of Standard Chartered, have all confirmed attendance. Clare Woodman CBE, CEO International at Morgan Stanley; Stefan Bollinger, CEO of Julius Baer; Dilhan Pillay Sandrasegara, Executive Director and CEO of Temasek Holdings; and Andreas Berger, Group CEO of Swiss Re, will also speak.

Additional confirmed speakers from major financial institutions include Charles R. Kaye, Chairman of Warburg Pincus; Hendrik du Toit, Founder and CEO of Ninety One; Tarek Sultan, Chairman of Agility; and Steven Desmyter, President of Man Group. From Abu Dhabi’s own financial sector, Majid Al Suwaidi, CEO of ALTÉRRA; Mohamed Abdelbary, GCEO of Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank; Hamad Al Ameri, CEO of Alpha Dhabi; and Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad, are among those confirmed.

The asset management and alternatives segment draws a deep roster. Jenny Johnson, CEO of Franklin Templeton; Katie Koch, President and CEO of TCW; Tobias C. Pross, CEO of Allianz Global Investors; Marc C. Ganzi, CEO of DigitalBridge; Dmitry Balyasny, Co-Founder, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of Balyasny Asset Management; Mike Freno, Chairman, President and CEO of Barings; David Druley, CEO of Cambridge Associates; and Stefan Hoops, CEO of DWS, are all scheduled to appear.

The technology and digital assets segment reflects a growing convergence between finance and innovation. Chamath Palihapitiya, Founder of Social Capital; Richard Teng, CEO of Binance; JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby Aviation; Robert Smith, Founder and CEO of Vista Equity; Pascal Gauthier, Chairman and CEO of Ledger; Lily Liu, President of Solana Foundation; and Charles Cascarilla, Co-Founder and CEO of Paxos, have all confirmed participation.

Whether the expanded program architecture, with its inaugural summits and new private forums, translates into the concrete investment commitments Al Zaabi described will be the measure organizers face when December arrives.