Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) 2025: The Ultimate Guide to the MENA Region’s Premier Financial Summit
As the global financial landscape shifts, new power centers are emerging. Leading this transformation in the Middle East is Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW). Hosted by Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), this event has rapidly become one of the most influential gatherings on the international financial calendar.
If you are an investor, policymaker, or fintech innovator, ADFW is the “must-attend” event of the year. In this guide, we explore what makes ADFW 2025 essential, what to expect from the agenda, and how it is shaping the future of capital.
Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) 2025: At a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi Finance Week Dates | December 08–11, 2025 |
| Abu Dhabi Finance Week Location | The Grand Steps, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi |
| Abu Dhabi Finance Week Organizer | ADGM |
| Abu Dhabi Finance Week Timings | Approximately 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (local time) |
What is Abu Dhabi Finance Week?
Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) is a week-long business and investment summit that brings together the world’s financial elite. It serves as a platform for impactful dialogue on themes ranging from sustainable finance and economic policy to cryptocurrency and asset management.
With over 20,000 participants and 600+ speakers expected, ADFW serves as a bridge between East and West, solidifying Abu Dhabi’s reputation as the “Capital of Capital.”
Key Themes for ADFW 2025
The 2025 edition operates under the theme “Engineering the Capital Network,” focusing on how technology, regulation, and sustainability are rewiring global markets. Attendees can expect deep dives into the following core pillars:
1. Asset Abu Dhabi
A gathering of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds, private equity firms, and hedge funds. Discussions here focus on evolving investment strategies in a volatile global economy, analyzing market shifts, and identifying new classes of assets.
2. Fintech Abu Dhabi
As the MENA region’s largest fintech festival, this segment explores the intersection of finance and technology. Expect groundbreaking sessions on:
- Blockchain & Crypto: The future of decentralized finance (DeFi) and digital assets.
- AI in Finance: How artificial intelligence is automating trading and risk management.
- Payments: The evolution of cross-border transactions.
3. The Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum (ADSFF)
With the UAE’s continued commitment to net-zero goals, ADSFF gathers top minds to discuss green bonds, carbon markets, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing. It is the premier stage for announcements regarding climate finance in the region.
4. RESOLVE
A unique forum dedicated to the intersection of finance and legal dispute resolution. It addresses how global legal frameworks are adapting to handle modern financial disputes, including those involving digital assets and intellectual property.
Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) 2025
Keynote and Speakers
Connect with an exceptional assembly of worldwide industry leaders and thought-leading specialists at ADFW 2025
Lord David Cameron
Lord David Cameron
The Rt Hon the Lord Cameron, Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
H.E. Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi
H.E. Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi
Chairman, ADDED & ADGM
H.E. Suhail Al Mazrouei
H.E. Suhail Al Mazrouei
UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure
Oliver Bäte
Oliver Bäte
CEO, Allianz SE
H.E. Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi
H.E. Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi
UAE Minister of Investment and Managing Director and Group CEO, ADQ
H.E. Dubravka Šuica
H.E. Dubravka Šuica
Commissioner for Mediterranean, European Commission
H.E. Mariam Almheiri
H.E. Mariam Almheiri
Managing Director, 2PointZero
H.E. Abdullah bin Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi
H.E. Abdullah bin Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi
Minister of Justice, Government of the UAE
Dilhan Pillay Sandrasegara
Dilhan Pillay Sandrasegara
CEO and Executive Director, Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited
H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi
H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi
Minister for Foreign Trade, Government of the UAE
H.E. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi
H.E. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi
Minister of Sports, Government of the UAE & Chairman, Emirates Growth Fund
Georges Elhedery
Georges Elhedery
Group CEO, HSBC
H.E. Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak
H.E. Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak
Managing Director & Group CEO, Mubadala Investment Company
H.E. Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa
H.E. Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa
Chairman, DMT & Etihad
H.E. Mohamed Hamad Al Mehairi
H.E. Mohamed Hamad Al Mehairi
CEO, Emirates Investment Authority
Mohamed Alabbar
Mohamed Alabbar
Founder, Emaar and Noon
Why You Should Attend ADFW 2025?
For professionals in the financial sector, ADFW offers unparalleled opportunities:
Global Networking: Connect with C-suite executives from top banks, asset managers from Wall Street to Shanghai, and policymakers shaping the rules of tomorrow.
Exclusive Insights: Gain access to proprietary reports and hear directly from industry titans. Past speakers have included heavyweights like Ray Dalio (Bridgewater Associates) and Larry Fink (BlackRock).
Strategic Partnerships: For startups and tech firms, the event provides direct access to venture capital and sovereign wealth funding unique to the Gulf region.
Conclusion
Abu Dhabi Finance Week is more than just a conference; it is where the future of the global economy is being written. Whether you are looking to secure investment, understand regulatory shifts, or simply network with the industry’s best, ADFW 2025 is the place to be.
Ready to join the conversation? Visit the official ADFW website to register and secure your spot at the Capital of Capital.
Frequently Asked Questions on Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) 2025
General Information
Q: When is Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2025?
A: ADFW 2025 will take place from Monday, December 8 to Thursday, December 11, 2025.
Q: Where will the event be held?
A: The event is hosted at The Grand Steps on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi’s international financial centre.
Note: The 2025 edition is expanding to a new, larger location on Al Maryah Island to accommodate double the capacity of previous years.
Q: What is the theme for 2025?
A: The official theme is “Engineering the Capital Network.” This theme focuses on how technology (especially AI and quantum computing), regulation, and sustainability are “re-architecting” the global financial system. It also highlights Abu Dhabi’s evolution from a capital exporter to a central hub for two-way global capital flows.
Registration & Tickets
Q: How can I register?
A: Registration is available through the official website: adfw.com/tickets.
Q: Can I buy tickets at the door?
A: It is highly recommended to purchase tickets online in advance. Previous editions have sold out, and on-site registration is not guaranteed.
Agenda & Key Events
Q: What are the main events during the week?
ADFW is a collection of several “flagship” forums happening concurrently or consecutively:
- Abu Dhabi Economic Forum (ADEF): High-level macroeconomic discussions.
- Asset Abu Dhabi: Focused on private equity, hedge funds, and sovereign wealth funds (managing $30T+ in assets).
- Fintech Abu Dhabi: The region’s largest fintech festival, covering AI, blockchain, and digital assets.
- RESOLVE: A forum dedicated to dispute resolution in global finance.
- Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum (ADSFF): Focused on climate finance, carbon markets, and ESG.
Q: Is there a specific focus on Cryptocurrency or Blockchain?
A: Yes. Fintech Abu Dhabi will heavily feature blockchain and Web3 topics. Additionally, Bitcoin MENA 2025 is happening nearby (Dec 8-9) and often has cross-over audiences, though they are separate events. The 2025 ADFW has also announced a strategic partnership with Solmate Infrastructure (a Solana-based company), indicating a strong focus on institutional blockchain infrastructure.
C-Suite Executives from global banks
Travel & Logistics
Q: Is there a dress code? A: Yes, the dress code is strictly Business Formal or National Dress (Kandura/Abaya).
Q: What is the “Falcon Economy”? A: You will hear this term often. It refers to Abu Dhabi’s economic vision, symbolizing the emirate’s rapid ascent, sharp vision, and global connectivity—key branding you will see throughout the conference venue.
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