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ADFW Opens with Spotlight on Abu Dhabi's Global Ambition and Major Humanitarian Pledge
The official ADFW Opening Ceremony brought together Abu Dhabi's economic leadership and international delegates for a high-level assembly to catalyse global collaboration and dialogue. It set an ambitious tone for the day, inviting global decision-makers into a conversation defined by trust, legacy, and future connectivity.
In his opening address, , , stated
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Earlier in the day, the third edition of brought together UAE Cabinet ministers, sovereign wealth fund executives, CEOs of Abu Dhabi's industrial champions and international stakeholders to explore Abu Dhabi's economic diversification, industrial strategy, infrastructure pipeline, and evolving trade partnerships. It also highlighted the progress of the Falcon Economy – with Q2 2025 GDP reaching AED 306.3 billion and non-oil economic growth at 6.6% YoY.
Opening the forum, delivered a visionary message,saying "Today Abu Dhabi is a global centre of capital, AI, energy, innovation and life sciences. We are engineering a globally connected economy built around the sectors and technologies that will define the next generation of global wealth and global growth. Abu Dhabi and our partners in this room will be central to whatever that future becomes. If you believe the world is changing, invest where you can shape that change.
In the afternoon, the global pledging, 'Investing in Humanity' panel, was hosted by the MBZ Foundation for Humanity, in partnership with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). Gates was joined on stage by Her Highness Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan , Chair of the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity and H.E. Dr. Mekdes Daba, Minister of Health, Ethiopia .
Pledges were made from a diverse group of donors and countries, including
USD 1.2 billion from the Gates Foundation; USD 140 million from the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity;
USD 450 million from Rotary International;
USD 100 million from Bloomberg Philanthropies; USD 154 million from
Pakistan and USD 62 million from
Germany ; USD 46 million from
the United States of America ;
USD 6 million from Japan ;
$4 million from the Islamic Food & Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA); and
USD 3 million from Luxembourg .
"The fight to end polio shows what is possible when the world invests together in a shared goal. We're 99.9 per cent of the way there – but the last stretch demands the same determination that got us this far," said Gates. "This renewed funding will help us cross the finish line and strengthen the systems that protect children from this terrible disease for good."
A number of firms announced setting up in ADGM on the inaugural day of ADFW. The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of ADGM formally approved the authorisation of Binance's global platform, Binance.com, under a comprehensive regulatory framework. Meanwhile, Cantor, a premier global investment bank and Plenary Group, a global infrastructure developer and investor, have secured an In Principle Approval (IPA) from the FSRA and are expanding their Middle East presence.
In another significant announcement, Mubadala and Aldar committed to an AED 60+ billion expansion of the north side of Al Maryah Island . The development will deliver more than 1.5 million sqm of gross floor area, including Grade A offices, luxury homes, retail and hospitality – seamlessly blending commerce, community and lifestyle.
The opening day also featured a robust agenda of invite-only and public forums. Highlights included a newly added event examined the macroeconomic undercurrents shaping trade flows, investment strategies and the global capital network realignment, , which convened energy CEOs and the UAE Minister of Energy to examine the intersection of AI, energy demand, and investment flows in the transition economy; the , a closed-door gathering of global CEOs and investment leaders, focused on family office strategy and private banking trends; the , which brought together portfolio company leaders and the which explored emerging capital opportunities and cross-border investment flows.
For more details of ADFW, visit www.adfw.com.
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