Today's Edition
 to be held in Abu Dhabi on September 29)
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
The inaugural Livability and Investment Exhibition (LIVEX 2026) will commence in Abu Dhabi on September 29.
Organised by the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), the event is designed as a platform at the intersection of livability, infrastructure and investment, highlighting the growing importance of quality of life in shaping investment decisions and directing long-term capital.
Expected to bring together more than 20,000 policymakers, institutional investors, urban planners, developers, innovators and industry experts from over 50 countries, the three-day exhibition will run until October 1 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.
The event will also showcase Abu Dhabi's whole-of-government approach to livability while creating opportunities to connect decision-makers, present emerging ideas and foster partnerships across the urban development sector.
During a press conference announcing the details of the event at the Zayed National Museum on Tuesday, officials from eight government entities showcased Abu Dhabi's progress in livability, infrastructure, healthcare, education, culture, energy and the economy.
In his opening speech, Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of DMT, said LIVEX reflects Abu Dhabi's long-term, people-centred development vision.
He said: "Abu Dhabi was built on the firm belief that a city's quality of life and economic strength must advance together. Decades of investment in infrastructure, services and communities across the emirate have turned that belief into reality, establishing Abu Dhabi as one of the most livable cities in the Middle East and Africa and one of the world's leading destinations for international capital. Through LIVEX 2026, we are presenting this model to the world."
Panel Sessions
The keynote was followed by two panel discussions with senior officials on the policies, investment and infrastructure driving Abu Dhabi's future growth.
The first session, "People First: The Human Foundations of Abu Dhabi's Livability", focused on the social foundations of a livable city, including culture, community, education, energy, belonging and wellbeing.
This session featured Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism; Dr Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy; Shamis Ali Al Dhaheri, Chairman of the Department of Community Development; and Mohamed Taj Eddine Alqadi, Chairman of the Department of Education and Knowledge.
Al Mubarak said Abu Dhabi's approach to culture is rooted in enhancing quality of life and creating a strong sense of belonging for everyone.
He highlighted the emirate's commitment to welcoming more than 200 nationalities by fostering an inclusive environment where people are respected, accepted and given opportunities to succeed.
He added that Abu Dhabi's cultural institutions, including its museums and heritage landmarks, celebrate diverse identities while strengthening community, preserving culture and reinforcing the emirate's people-first development vision.
Al Dhaheri said Abu Dhabi has strengthened social cohesion by measuring key indicators such as belonging and trust and using the findings to shape programmes that respond to community needs.
He noted that the latest Quality of Life Survey showed 94.1% of respondents feel safe walking at night, highlighting the emirate's strong focus on safety and wellbeing.
Alqadi said Abu Dhabi's education system combines diversity, quality and future-focused learning to attract families, talent and investment.
He highlighted the emirate's wide range of school curricula, its commitment to equipping every high school graduate with AI competencies, and its focus on developing well-rounded students.
He added that Abu Dhabi's education ecosystem supports the emirate's competitiveness by producing skilled graduates and attracting talent from around the world.
Dr Al Jarwan said Abu Dhabi has transformed its energy sector through long-term investment, with clean energy now accounting for more than 45% of the emirate's energy mix.
He added that the emirate will continue investing in resilient infrastructure, innovation and sustainability to support future growth while embedding sustainability into every aspect of its operations.
The second session, titled "Planning for a Prosperous Future: Investments and Systems Shaping Abu Dhabi's Urban Future", examined the world-class infrastructure, economic policies, and technological enablers propelling sustainable urban growth.
This panel heard insights from Badr Al-Olama, Director General at Abu Dhabi Investment Office, and Hammad Al Hammadi, Executive Director of TAMM's Customer Care & Happiness Sector, Department of Government Enablement – Abu Dhabi.
