Photo Credit : WAM
Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW), hosted by ADGM, has unveiled the first group of speakers for its fifth edition, scheduled to take place from December 7 to 10, 2026.
Held under the theme “The Capital Community, Powered by Partnerships”, the event has already secured more than 200 international speakers from government, financial services, investment, technology and innovation.
The strong early participation reflects Abu Dhabi’s growing role as a global destination for capital, investment and long-term business partnerships.
Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADGM, said the early commitment from prominent financial leaders demonstrates increasing confidence in Abu Dhabi and its investment ecosystem.
“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. That is what distinguishes Abu Dhabi as the Capital of Capital,” Al Zaabi said.
Senior Abu Dhabi Government representatives participating in the event will include Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade; Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport; Dr Sultan bin Saif Al Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs; and Shamis Ali Khalfan Al Dhaheri, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Community Development.
The line-up will also include Salem AlNuaimi, Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Pension Fund; Majid Al Suwaidi, CEO of ALTÉRRA; 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 Airways.
Executives from several of the world’s largest financial institutions are also set to attend. Confirmed speakers include Oliver Bäte, Chairman of the Board of Management and CEO of Allianz SE; 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 International at Morgan Stanley.
Other participants include Stefan Bollinger, CEO of Julius Baer; Dilhan Pillay Sandrasegara, Executive Director and CEO of Temasek Holdings; Andreas Berger, Group CEO of Swiss Re; 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.
The programme will feature prominent figures from asset management, alternative investments, infrastructure, commodities and institutional investment. Among them are 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; and 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, have also been confirmed.
Technology, digital assets and fintech will form another major part of the agenda. Speakers from these sectors will include 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 the Solana Foundation; and Charles Cascarilla, Co-Founder and CEO of Paxos.
ADFW 2026 will introduce an expanded programme aimed at encouraging greater engagement among senior decision-makers and delivering more focused outcomes.
New additions will include the inaugural Abu Dhabi Real Estate Summit, the AIMA Global Hedge Fund Leaders Platform, the Hub71 Startups Campus and a Healthcare and BioTech Forum. The programme will also include multiple Global Strategy Roundtables and an expanded selection of private forums.
More than 70 thematic events featuring over 800 speakers are expected to take place during the four-day gathering.
The programme will be organised around four main thematic days addressing Abu Dhabi’s economic strategy, global markets, asset management, fintech, digital assets, sustainable finance and Islamic finance.
