RISE Summit 2026 opens tomorrow at Dubai World Trade Centre, bringing together more than 250 international institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds, government leaders and major property developers to examine how global economic changes are reshaping investment strategies and where opportunities for long-term growth are emerging.
The one-day summit takes place as Dubai and the wider United Arab Emirates continue to attract economic and investment activity amid changing geopolitical conditions, evolving trade relationships, shifts in financing costs and rapid technological advances.
Under the theme “Recharging Momentum in Global Economies,” RISE Summit 2026 will bring together investors, policymakers and business leaders to assess the forces influencing global capital allocation. Discussions will span financial markets, urban development, real estate, infrastructure, artificial intelligence, energy, tourism and destination investment.
UAE Economic Indicators Provide the Backdrop
The summit opens against a backdrop of positive indicators across Dubai’s non-oil economy and the UAE’s international trade activity.
Dubai’s non-oil private-sector Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 54.5 in September 2026, marking its strongest reading of the year, according to the figures referenced in the original announcement.
The UAE’s non-oil foreign trade reached approximately AED 1.937 trillion in the first half of 2026, representing year-on-year growth of 13.1%.
The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) also surpassed a significant milestone, recording 10,018 active registered companies in the first half of 2026. This marked the first time the number had exceeded 10,000 and represented a 30% increase year on year.
These indicators provide an important context for the summit’s discussions on the UAE’s investment appeal, Dubai’s position in international markets and the competition among global destinations to attract capital and strategic projects.
Global Leaders to Examine the Next Phase of Capital Flows
The summit’s Global Leaders Series (GLS) will feature two headline discussions focused on the forces shaping international investment decisions.
José Manuel Barroso, Chairman of International Advisors at Goldman Sachs and former President of the European Commission, will lead a session titled “The Great Capital Shift.”
The discussion will examine how the United States, Europe, Asia and the Gulf are competing for long-term investment. It will also consider whether current movements in global capital represent temporary reallocations or signal a more fundamental change in the international investment landscape.
Barroso said global capital was entering a period of significant change, prompting investors to reassess where long-term value, resilience and opportunity could be found. He said his session would explore how major economic regions were competing for investment and whether current developments pointed to a temporary adjustment or a lasting transformation in global capital flows.
A second session, “Long-Term Capital in a Higher-Rate World,” will feature Ludovic Subran, Group Chief Investment Officer and Chief Economist at Allianz. The discussion will consider how investors are reassessing risk, returns and asset allocation strategies in response to changing financial conditions and interest-rate pressures.
UAE Economic Resilience and New Growth Opportunities
The UAE’s capacity to sustain investment momentum while navigating a changing global economy will be another central theme.
In “From Resilience to Opportunity in a Realigning World,” H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, will examine how economic diversification and stronger trade and investment partnerships can help countries respond to a more fragmented global economy.
The session will explore how countries can develop new pathways for sustainable growth, strengthen international economic relationships and adapt to shifts affecting trade, financing and cross-border investment.
Dubai’s Major Development Plans in Focus
Beyond the macroeconomic outlook, RISE Summit 2026 will examine how investment is translating into development across real estate, urban planning and essential infrastructure.
The session “Building the Next Dubai: Inside the City’s Biggest Master Plans” will feature Khalid Al Malik, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Holding Real Estate, and focus on the large-scale development plans shaping Dubai’s next phase of growth.
Another discussion, “From Developer to Platform: The New Model for Urban Growth,” will feature Talal Al Dhiyebi, Group Chief Executive Officer at Aldar Properties. It will examine the changing role of property developers and how evolving business models can support urban expansion and the development of major projects.
H.E. Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), will deliver a session titled “Built to Compound: Dubai’s Economic Model and the D33 Agenda,” examining the emirate’s economic model and development agenda.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Alabbar, Founder and Managing Director of Emaar Properties, will take part in “Building Through the Cycle,” exploring long-term investment and development strategies through changing market conditions.
Together, these discussions will consider how urban planning, real estate development and long-term capital can contribute to Dubai’s continued economic expansion.
Real Estate Tokenisation and the Future of Ownership
The summit will also address the growing role of tokenisation in real estate investment through a panel titled “Who Owns the Building? How Tokenisation Rewrites Ownership.”
The panel will bring together Dr Ahmed Mansour, Group Chief Executive Officer of Private Department – H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalid Al Nahyan; Dr Mahmoud AlBurai, President of FIABCI Emirates; and Zed Ayesh, Group CEO of ATI Investments and Board Member of Dejem Real Estate Development.
The discussion will examine the regulatory frameworks, legal recognition, cross-border compliance requirements and investor-protection mechanisms needed to support the growth of tokenised property investment.
Dr AlBurai said Dubai had established itself as a global real estate hub where capital, talent and innovation converge from around the world. He said FIABCI Emirates’ participation reflected its commitment to contributing to that momentum.
He described the summit as a platform connecting developers, investors, brokers and institutions across borders, helping turn dialogue into opportunities. He also highlighted the importance of transparency, resilience and collaboration in shaping the future of real estate investment.
AI Growth Brings Data Centres, Energy and Financing to the Fore
As artificial intelligence adoption expands, the infrastructure required to support it is becoming an increasingly important investment consideration.
The session “Powering AI: Data Centres, Energy and the Capacity Challenge” will bring together Mark Olson, Managing Partner at Lumiere Capital Partners; Jorge Cantonnet, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of A7i Strategic Partners; and Olusola Lawson, Co-Managing Director of African Infrastructure Investment Managers in Nigeria.
The discussion will examine the energy and infrastructure requirements shaping the next stage of AI development, including the capacity needed to operate data centres and the capital required to finance the expansion.
Mark Olson said the bottleneck in AI was shifting from chips to megawatts, infrastructure and the capital needed to fund them. He said he looked forward to exploring how private capital could help finance the next phase of AI growth.
The session reflects the growing connection between technology investment and the availability of energy, data infrastructure and long-term financing.
Private Capital to Help Address Infrastructure Funding Gaps
Infrastructure financing will be another major focus through the panel “Closing the Infrastructure Funding Gap.”
The session will explore how private and cross-border investment can help finance the next generation of energy, digital and transport infrastructure.
Speakers will include Chuan Huang, Head of the GCC Region and Senior Executive Officer of CICC’s DIFC Branch; Jean-Francis Dusch, CIO of Infrastructure Debt (BRIDGE) at Edmond de Rothschild AM in the UK; and Andrei Rotaru, Managing Director and Head of Middle East Private Equity at Gaw Capital.
The discussion will consider how investment partnerships and private funding can help mobilise capital for strategic infrastructure projects, particularly those requiring long-term financing and the ability to respond to changing economic and technological demands.
Hospitality, Tourism and Entertainment Create New Investment Avenues
RISE Summit 2026 will also examine the investment opportunities emerging across hospitality, tourism and destination development.
Thomas Meier, Chief Executive Officer of Jumeirah, will discuss changing expectations in luxury hospitality, while Fernando Eiroa, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Holding Entertainment, will explore how entertainment and hospitality are shaping destinations and influencing the next phase of tourism development.
Liam Findlay, Chief Executive Officer of Miral Destinations, will look at the future of immersive entertainment and destination development in a session titled “Blueprint for a Global Hub: Miral’s Vision for the Future of Immersive Entertainment.”
These discussions will consider how destinations can combine hospitality, entertainment, infrastructure and visitor experiences to create new investment opportunities and attract international audiences.
RISE Summit 2026 Connects Global Capital with Emerging Markets
Through its focus on capital markets and connectivity, infrastructure, cities and real estate, as well as longevity, living and experiences, RISE Summit 2026 aims to connect the forces reshaping global investment with the markets, assets and destinations where new opportunities are developing.
The breadth of the programme reflects an effort to bridge the global economic outlook with practical investment considerations, from capital flows and interest rates to tokenised real estate, AI infrastructure, tourism and urban development.
With institutional investors, government representatives and business leaders coming together in Dubai, the summit will provide a platform to discuss emerging investment priorities and the sectors that may attract greater capital as economic and technological conditions continue to evolve.
Register to our mailing list to receive the latest news
Also follow us on the technology portal and its news in Egypt