Abu Dhabi presented its investment pitch to financial leaders in London on October 15, 2026, during the third Abu Dhabi Investment Forum. Speaking at the event, Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, chairman of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), stated that 14 global financial institutions managing over $5 trillion in assets announced plans to establish a presence in the emirate during the first half of 2026.
The event was held at The Peninsula London and organised by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) to strengthen engagement with British and international capital. Al Zaabi told attendees that Abu Dhabi possessed both the capacity to invest for decades and the agility to act immediately. The previous year's edition of the forum drew approximately 400 participants, including representatives from roughly 180 UK institutions.
Gulf Business reported that the $5 trillion metric reflects the combined global assets under management (AUM) of the institutions planning to establish operations in ADGM, rather than direct investment commitments to Abu Dhabi. The milestone follows an announcement in May 2026, when ADGM disclosed that eight financial institutions overseeing $4.4 trillion had announced expansion plans across March and April.
Prominent asset managers and alternative investment firms that have either announced plans or established operations in ADGM during 2026 include Capital Group, Man Group, Bain Capital, Barings, and Hillhouse Investment.
Sources
- Gulf Business · 2026-10-19
