Today's Edition
BATOOL GHAITH (ABU DHABI)
The rapid rise of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) as a global financial centre is reinforcing the emirate’s growing influence in international finance, a trajectory underscored by Abu Dhabi’s selection to host the 2029 Annual Meetings of the IMF and the World Bank Group.
In an interview with Aletihad, Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of ADGM and the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), said the decision underscores the UAE’s ability to convene governments, institutions and global stakeholders at scale, while maintaining a strong developmental and humanitarian role.
“The decision for the UAE to host the 2029 Annual Meetings reflects its position as a trusted platform for global economic dialogue and cooperation,” Al Zaabi said.
He noted that the country has demonstrated a consistent ability to bring together global institutions and decision-makers, reinforcing confidence in its economic stability and governance model.
According to Al Zaabi, Abu Dhabi’s stable regulatory environment and strong institutional framework have been key to strengthening its role in global finance.
“Abu Dhabi provides the execution platform. The emirate offers a stable and predictable environment, supported by strong institutions, robust regulation, and the capacity to operate effectively at scale,” he added.
He stressed that the emirate’s connectivity and geographic position help link capital flows across major markets. “Its connectivity and strategic positioning link global markets and capital flows across regions, reinforcing its emergence as a financial centre of choice for international institutions and investors,” Al Zaabi said.
He emphasised that hosting the IMF–World Bank annual meetings further accelerates Abu Dhabi’s role within the global financial ecosystem, positioning the emirate at the heart of international economic dialogue and decision-making, while creating a platform to shape the future direction of global finance.
“Abu Dhabi’s economic fundamentals reinforce this role. Sustained growth, rising non-oil contribution, and strong sovereign ratings reflect a resilient and well-managed economy, supported by deep pools of institutional capital and the presence of leading global financial institutions,” Al Zaabi explained.
He noted that Abu Dhabi is increasingly operating as a Capital of Capital, where global capital is not only attracted, but structured, deployed and connected to opportunities at scale.
Al Zaabi said that ADGM’s journey over the past 10 years has been driven by a clear strategic vision, strong institutional foundations and Abu Dhabi’s long-term globally connected economic agenda.
From its inception, the financial centre was built to set a new benchmark for international financial centres, he noted, including being the only IFC in the region to adopt the direct application of English common law, an independent court system, and a progressive principles-based regulatory framework.
“Together, these elements create certainty, transparency and the confidence required for international firms to establish and expand in Abu Dhabi,” Al Zaabi added.
Moreover, ADGM shapes its operational strategy around priority clusters and sub-clusters, aligned with its long-term growth and Abu Dhabi’s economic vision.
“Its current focus includes asset management, sustainable finance, digital assets and restructuring, with asset management spanning key segments such as hedge funds, private equity and family offices,” he said.
Over time, these foundations have been reinforced by Abu Dhabi’s ability to attract capital, talent and leading global institutions, as well as by ADGM’s deliberate focus on building a diversified ecosystem across asset management, banking, fintech, digital assets and professional services, Al Zaabi indicated.
He noted that a key inflection point came with the strategic expansion of ADGM’s jurisdiction, which created one of the world’s largest financial districts and business communities.
Global investors increasingly see Abu Dhabi not simply as a regional opportunity but as a trusted jurisdiction for long-term capital allocation, wealth preservation, and sustained business growth, he explained.
Investor confidence is reinforced by Abu Dhabi’s strong sovereign capital base and long-term approach to investment, Al Zaabi noted, “with approximately $1.82 trillion in sovereign wealth, Abu Dhabi provides a depth of capital, stability and alignment that few global financial centres can match.”
He pointed out that this has been complemented by the growing presence of leading global asset managers and financial institutions establishing their regional hubs in ADGM.
According to Al Zaabi, this momentum reflects confidence not only in ADGM as a financial centre, but in Abu Dhabi’s broader fundamentals, its economic stability, policy consistency, and its role as a platform connecting global capital to regional and international growth opportunities.
“As more international financial institutions anchor themselves in ADGM, Abu Dhabi is strengthening its position as a gateway that connects global capital with opportunities across the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, and beyond,” Al Zaabi said.
The emirate’s rising global financial standing has been recognised internationally. In the inaugural Financial Centre Competitiveness Index, Abu Dhabi ranked first in the MENA region and 12th globally.
“Abu Dhabi is not competing for capital, it is shaping how global capital is structured and deployed,” Al Zaabi said.
According to Al Zaabi, what distinguishes ADGM is the combination of international legal certainty, regulatory agility, direct access to one of the world’s largest pools of institutional capital, and a strategic role in connecting established financial systems with high-growth regions.
As a result, ADGM is increasingly recognised not just as the leading international financial centre in the region, but as a globally relevant financial centre with a distinct role in the international system, he said.
“For global institutions, regulatory credibility is not an option, it is a prerequisite,” he said.
ADGM’s regulatory framework, including its Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) and direct application of English common law, provides the legal certainty and transparency required by global investors, Al Zaabi explained.
He added that this credibility is particularly critical in fast-evolving sectors such as private capital, fintech, and digital assets.
“Our ambition is clear: to position Abu Dhabi among the top five global financial centres,” Al Zaabi said, noting that the emirate’s economic strength, expanding international engagement, and forward-looking regulatory approach continue to support ADGM’s growing recognition as a competitive and credible player on the global financial stage.
Touching on Abu Dhabi Finance week (ADFW), Al Zaabi noted that for 2026, the objective is to further elevate it as "a truly global platform", where the world’s leading investors, policymakers, financial institutions, and innovators come together to shape the future of finance.
Building on the strong momentum of last year’s edition, he said that ADFW 2026 will focus on deepening its international relevance, expanding strategic dialogue, and transforming high-level engagement into tangible partnerships, capital flows, and market opportunities for Abu Dhabi.
“At its core, ADFW is an expression of Abu Dhabi’s role as the Capital of Capital, and the 2026 edition should reinforce that positioning on an even larger global stage, reflecting the emirate’s growing role as a convenor, allocator and long‑term steward of global capital,” Al Zaabi added.
The next phase of growth will be driven by a combination of scale, diversification, and depth across priority sectors, Al Zaabi said.
Private capital and asset management will remain central, reflecting Abu Dhabi’s expanding role in global capital formation and long-term capital deployment, he added.
“As institutional investors increasingly seek stable, well-regulated platforms for global capital allocation, ADGM is well-positioned to support that shift,” Al Zaabi noted.
At the same time, he said fintech and digital assets will continue to be major growth areas, supported by ADGM’s progressive and well-regulated environment.
Al Zaabi also pointed out that artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping how financial services are designed, delivered and supervised across banking, investment and regulation.
“It is no longer a layer of innovation, but a core capability embedded across the entire financial ecosystem, from client engagement to regulatory oversight,” he explained.
“The underlying driver is clear: artificial intelligence is delivering some of the most immediate and measurable efficiency gains in financial services, second only to the technology sector,” he explained.
For international financial centres, this shift is not incremental but structural, Al Zaabi said. Those that fail to adapt with agility and a progressive mindset risk being outpaced by more dynamic jurisdictions.
ADGM, he noted, clearly recognises this transition and is positioning itself to lead in this evolving landscape.
In an increasingly fragmented global environment, finance must function as critical infrastructure, anchored in legal certainty, regulatory discipline, and trusted dispute resolution mechanisms.
Within this context, Abu Dhabi has positioned itself as a world-class destination across several key financial megatrends, Al Zaabi noted.
“This position is supported by progressive regulation and the ability to respond quickly to market needs, as demonstrated by early initiatives such as ADGM’s virtual asset framework and subsequent market-shaping partnerships,” he added.
ADGM will continue building an ecosystem where established institutions and next-generation businesses can grow side by side, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a global centre for capital, innovation and enterprise, Al Zaabi emphasised.
