ADGM Confirms 200-Plus Speakers for 2026 Finance Week; Global Capital Markets Convene in D

Abu Dhabi Global Market has opened speaker registration for the fifth edition of Abu Dhabi Finance Week, scheduled for December 7 to 10, 2026, with more than 200 international speakers already confirmed across government, financial services, investment, technology and innovation. Organized by ADGM under the patronage of Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Executive Council H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the conference carries the theme “The Capital Community, Powered by Partnerships.”

H.E. Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADGM and the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, pointed to the early commitments as evidence 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,” Al Zaabi said. He 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.”

Government representation at the ministerial and institutional level is substantial. Confirmed office-holders include H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade; H.E. Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport; H.E. Dr. Sultan bin Saif Al Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs; and H.E. 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. H.E. Salem Al Nuami, Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Pension Fund, and H.E. Majid Al Suwaidi, CEO of ALTÉRRA, are also confirmed, alongside H.E. Dr. Tariq Bin Hendi, CEO of Botim; Mohamed Abdelbary, Group CEO of Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank; Hamad Al Ameri, CEO of Alpha Dhabi; and Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad.

The private sector contingent draws from the senior leadership of major global financial institutions. Oliver Bäte, Chairman and CEO of Allianz SE, will attend alongside Tan Su Shan, CEO of DBS Group; Ron O’Hanley, Chairman and CEO of State Street; Bill Winters, CEO of Standard Chartered; and Clare Woodman CBE, CEO of Morgan Stanley International. Stefan Bollinger of Julius Baer, Dilhan Pillay Sandrasegara of Temasek Holdings, Andreas Berger of Swiss Re, Charles R. Kaye of Warburg Pincus, Hendrik du Toit of Ninety One, Tarek Sultan of Agility, and Steven Desmyter of Man Group round out the confirmed financial sector roster.

Asset management and alternatives are equally well covered. Jenny Johnson, CEO of Franklin Templeton, will speak alongside Katie Koch of TCW, Tobias C. Pross of Allianz Global Investors, Marc C. Ganzi of DigitalBridge, Dmitry Balyasny of Balyasny Asset Management, Mike Freno of Barings, David Druley of Cambridge Associates, and Stefan Hoops of DWS.

Technology and digital assets bring a distinct cohort. Chamath Palihapitiya, Founder of Social Capital, will participate with Richard Teng, CEO of Binance; JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby Aviation; Robert Smith, Founder and CEO of Vista Equity; Pascal Gauthier of Ledger; Lily Liu, President of Solana Foundation; and Charles Cascarilla, Co-Founder and CEO of Paxos.

What changed in the 2026 program is scope. The edition introduces the inaugural Abu Dhabi Real Estate Summit, the AIMA Global Hedge Fund Leaders Platform, The Hub71 Startups Campus, and a Healthcare and BioTech Forum, alongside multiple Global Strategy Roundtables and expanded private forums. In total, ADFW 2026 is expected to stage more than 70 thematic events with over 800 speakers, organizing content across four main thematic days that address Abu Dhabi’s economic strategy, global markets, asset management, fintech, digital assets, sustainable finance, and Islamic finance.

Whether the expanded format translates the week’s conversations into the measurable institutional outcomes Al Zaabi described will be the question that follows the December gathering.