Capital of Capital: Abu Dhabi sets the stage for ADFW 2025

Speaking ahead of the upcoming edition, Al Darei highlights the strategic intent behind this year’s programme. “ADFW 2025 is designed to contribute towards reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as the ‘Capital of Capital’ and is one of many of our strategic initiatives as an international IFC,” says Al Darei. “Our objectives include convening global leaders, decision makers, policy makers, and investors to engage in meaningful dialogues and address critical issues within the finance industry. And this is not limited to dialogue, we have seen from previous editions, bold decisions, concrete partnerships and impactful initiatives evolve, as we witness the increasing demand and interest of global financial institutions to set up their business in ADGM.”

He notes that the scale of participation this year underscores ADFW’s global relevance. “This year, we have global leaders all at ADFW managing over USD 62 trillion in assets, fostering innovation across AI, fintech, and sustainable finance, and launching initiatives like the NYU Stern Global Financial Competitiveness Index. These efforts aim to deepen connectivity, accelerate capital flows, and shape the future of global finance,” adds Al Darei.

Engineering a new era for global capital

The 2025 theme, “Engineering the Capital Network,” directly reflects ADGM’s long-term vision for Abu Dhabi as an advanced, technology-driven financial hub. As Al Darei explains, “The theme, ‘Engineering the Capital Network,’ reflects our ambition to transform Abu Dhabi into a technology-driven international financial centre. It emphasizes building a resilient, interconnected ecosystem powered by AI, quantum technologies, and progressive and robust regulatory frameworks – aligning with our vision of becoming a global node for capital and innovation.”

He notes that technology is not just an enabler but a transformative force. “The word ‘engineering’ highlights the transformative role of emerging technologies — from artificial intelligence to quantum computing — in re-architecting modern finance and redefining how capital moves, connects, and creates value,” says Al Darei.

This ambition aligns with shifting global dynamics. “Ultimately, today Abu Dhabi is not just participating in the future of finance, it’s actively engineering it, and the ‘Capital Network’ represents the evolving flows, relationships, and opportunities connecting global financial centres from here in the UAE to the rest of the world.”

A new global benchmark for competitiveness

A major highlight of ADFW 2025 will be the unveiling of the NYUAD Global Financial Centre Competitiveness Index, a first-of-its-kind benchmark designed to redefine how global financial centres are evaluated. According to Al Darei, a groundbreaking index by NYU Abu Dhabi, aims to redefine how the world measures financial centre competitiveness.

“For the first time, the world will see a data-driven measure of financial centre competitiveness unveiled at ADFW,” says Al Darei. “The NYUAD Global Financial Centre Competitiveness Index, developed with leading researchers, analyses the evolving influence of financial hubs from New York to Abu Dhabi, reshaping our understanding of where power, innovation, and capital intersect.”

These benchmarks are expected to influence investors and policymakers worldwide. “These announcements will provide transparency and benchmarking for global financial centres, enhancing investor confidence and guiding policy decisions,” explains Al Darei. “They will influence capital allocation strategies, strengthen Abu Dhabi’s credibility, and encourage deeper engagement from international markets.”

Accelerating Abu Dhabi’s financial ascent

The exceptional concentration of capital represented at ADFW is another clear signal of the city’s rising stature. “By hosting institutions managing USD 62 trillion in assets, ADFW creates a unique platform for strategic partnerships and investment flows,” notes Al Darei. “This concentration enables the channelling of capital into priority sectors including technology, infrastructure, and sustainable finance while positioning Abu Dhabi as a gateway for global investors.”

Abu Dhabi’s competitive advantages continue to set it apart. As he explains, “ADGM offers a unique combination of direct application of English common law, robust regulatory certainty, and integration with Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth ecosystem. Coupled with rapid AUM growth [a year-on-year growth of 48% in Q3, 2025 compared to Q3 2024] and a strong focus on innovation and sustainability, these factors set Abu Dhabi apart as a safe, future-ready financial hub.”

Investment themes shaping ADFW 2025

Investor interest this year is expected to centre on several fast-growing areas. “Asset management and private credit will be key focus areas, alongside digital finance innovations such as blockchain and Web3,” says Al Darei. “Sustainable investment will also attract significant interest, driven by global ESG priorities and Abu Dhabi’s leadership in green finance. Family offices and wealth management.”

With senior regulators and policymakers gathering from across the world, ADFW is increasingly becoming a platform for shaping future financial regulation. “ADFW hosts high-level forums like the Global Financial Regulators Summit and IMF Roundtable, creating a collaborative environment for regulatory dialogue,” notes Al Darei. “These discussions will inform global standards on AI governance, digital assets, and cross-border compliance, ensuring innovation is balanced with stability.”

He expects this year’s closed-door sessions to produce impactful outcomes. “We expect discussions to focus on macroeconomic resilience, geopolitical risk mitigation, and harmonisation of regulatory frameworks. These sessions will likely lead to collaborative initiatives that strengthen global financial stability and accelerate innovation.”

“The high-level closed-door sessions at ADFW, including the IMF roundtable, are likely to generate in-depth policy conversations on sovereign debt management, fiscal sustainability, and strategies for balancing growth amid rising global debt levels, drawing on insights from Ray Dalio’s Big Cycle framework.”

Additional themes will include competitiveness, sustainability, and governance, reflecting Abu Dhabi’s strategic position at the crossroads of global capital.

A message to the world

Ultimately, Al Darei trusts that the global financial community views Abu Dhabi as a partner in shaping the next era of global finance. “Abu Dhabi is not only a safe and stable financial hub, but also a forward-looking and innovative ecosystem where global capital, ideas, and talent converge,” says Al Darei.

He concludes by reaffirming the purpose of ADFW 2025. “In short, ADFW invites the international financial community to experience Abu Dhabi as a trusted, globally connected, and innovation-driven hub at the heart of the evolving global financial landscape.”