Investopia Bridge 2026 launches new economy dialogues

Investopia Bridge 2026 was held in Abu Dhabi, under the theme “Investing in a More Resilient World.” The event explored the evolving global investment landscape and emerging trends in capital, investment and finance across new and sustainable economy sectors, amid ongoing regional and global shifts.

It brought together more than 30 speakers, including ministers, decision-makers, investors, business leaders, entrepreneurs and economists from the UAE and around the world, alongside more than 800 participants.

Investopia Bridge 2026 programme opened with a government and policymaker-led dialogue on the transformations shaping the global economy, growth prospects, and the importance of confidence and new economy policies in strengthening the ability of economies to adapt and attract investment.

The discussion then moved to private sector and corporate leaders, who explored how businesses are responding to these shifts, the opportunities created by new growth corridors, the role of leading UAE companies on the global stage, and transformations across sectors including tourism, innovation and technology.

The programme also brought together investors and capital managers for a dialogue on the emerging rules of investment, including the evolving role of sovereign wealth funds, the rise of new investment categories and instruments, changing asset allocation strategies, and shifts in cross-border investment and capital flows amid an increasingly fragmented and volatile global environment.

The opening of Investopia Bridge 2026 was led by Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism and Co-Chair of Investopia; and Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, UAE Minister of Investment and Co-Chair of Investopia.

The event was attended by a number of ministers, government officials, senior business leaders, investors and CEOs, including Sheikh Shakhbout Bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State; Noura Bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of State; Dr. Amer Bisat, Minister of Economy and Trade of the Republic of Lebanon; Adolfo Urso, Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy; Laziz Kudratov, Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan; Richard Lochhead, Minister for Small Business, Innovation, Tourism and Trade in the Scottish Government; and The Lady Mayor of the City of London, Dame Susan Langley.

In this context, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri said: “The UAE, under the directives of its wise leadership, has successfully strengthened its position as a global hub for business and investment and a leading platform for economic and investment partnerships.

This has been achieved through the development of flexible and competitive policies and legislation, the establishment of an extensive network of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements, increased UAE investments in international markets, and the opening of new markets for investors and entrepreneurs. The UAE has further reinforced this position by building a business environment recognised among the world’s best, supported by world-class infrastructure and a strategic geographic location connecting East and West.”

He added: “The UAE anticipated the rapid transformations taking place in the global economic landscape and the implications these shifts would have on the future of investment and growth. It also recognised that the continued expansion of new economy sectors would create significant opportunities for economies and investors.” He. continued: “Building on this vision, the UAE has developed a range of high-impact initiatives and projects to support the growth of new and sustainable economy sectors and attract business leaders and investors from the region and around the world to benefit from the promising opportunities offered by these vital sectors.”

Bin Touq further affirmed that the UAE’s investments in infrastructure development, accelerating digital transformation, modernising legislative and regulatory frameworks, and strengthening global partnerships over recent years have contributed to enhancing the resilience of the national economy and increasing its ability to adapt to changes and absorb shocks.

He added that these foundations have enabled the UAE economy to respond more effectively to the economic and geopolitical challenges witnessed across the region and the global economy, while further strengthening the country’s investment appeal and its ability to maintain its growth trajectory and openness to global markets.

The Minister of Economy and Tourism said: “As global economic fragmentation continues to deepen, building more bridges between economies, companies, investors and opportunities, while strengthening channels of economic communication and cooperation across markets, is becoming increasingly important.

WAM