AMJAD AL AZZEH (ABU DHABI)
Abu Dhabi is preparing to place the future of urban development in the spotlight as it hosts the inaugural Liveability and Investment Exhibition — LIVEX 2026, from September 29 to October 1 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.
Organised by the Department of Municipalities and Transport, the three-day event is designed as a global platform connecting government leaders, investors, developers, urban planners, businesses, academics and technology providers to examine how cities can combine economic growth with quality of life.
With more than 20,000 attendees expected from over 50 countries, alongside more than 1,500 investors, 40 exhibitors and 100 global speakers, LIVEX will bring together the people, projects and ideas shaping Abu Dhabi’s next stage of development.
At the heart of LIVEX is a simple but increasingly important question: how can cities create environments where people want to live, work, invest and build their future?
The exhibition will explore this question through six interconnected themes — liveability, culture, education, economy, energy and health. Together, these themes present an integrated view of urban development, highlighting how infrastructure, public services, investment and human wellbeing are increasingly connected.
From Infrastructure to Everyday Life
Liveability will form the foundation of the event, with attention on the elements that shape people's daily experiences — from mobility and public spaces to housing, accessibility, communities and opportunities.
The official LIVEX programme describes liveability not simply as a measure of comfort, but as a factor influencing where people choose to live, work and invest. It also links liveable cities with stronger communities, talent attraction, investment and long-term resilience.
The wider programme will also examine the role of culture and education in building vibrant communities, while health and energy will be considered as essential components of sustainable urban development.
Meanwhile, the economy and investment theme will connect the quality of the urban environment with the capital, businesses and partnerships required to support long-term growth.
The official event platform lists a wide range of international and regional financial institutions and investment organisations expected to participate, including BlackRock, Blackstone, Brookfield, Temasek, UBS, J.P. Morgan Asset Management, First Abu Dhabi Bank and Emirates Development Bank, among others.
The conference programme will feature speakers from government, business, technology, culture and urban development.
The official speaker list includes Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade; Sana bint Mohamed Suhail, Minister of Family; Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi; Steve Chen, Co-founder of YouTube; and Anne Hidalgo, Global Ambassador for the Global Covenant of Mayors and former Mayor of Paris, among others.
The discussions will provide an international perspective while keeping Abu Dhabi at the centre of the conversation — examining how planning, infrastructure, investment and human-centred development can work together to shape the cities of the future.
A New Platform for Abu Dhabi's Next Chapter
For Abu Dhabi, LIVEX represents more than a conventional exhibition. The Department of Municipalities and Transport describes the event as a platform for advancing global dialogue on liveability and the future of urban development, with a focus on integrated, human-centred approaches that can generate long-term economic and social value.
Across Halls 8 to 11 at ADNEC Abu Dhabi, LIVEX 2026 will bring together policy, investment, infrastructure, technology and ideas under one roof.