RISE Summit 2026 brought together leading investors, policymakers, developers and industry decision-makers at Dubai World Trade Centre to explore how shifting geopolitical dynamics, changing trade relationships and evolving financial conditions are reshaping global capital flows and creating new opportunities for long-term growth.
Held under the theme “Recharging Momentum in Global Economies,” the Summit examined how changing investment priorities are influencing international markets, real estate, infrastructure, urban development and the experience economy, including hospitality, tourism and emerging models of city growth.
The UAE’s economic transformation and Dubai’s role in connecting international markets were central to the discussions, with speakers examining how economic diversification, global connectivity and established sector strengths can help attract investment in an increasingly complex economic environment.
RISE Summit 2026 Examines the Future of Global Capital
The Summit explored where investment capital is moving as geopolitical realignments and changing economic conditions reshape priorities across markets and industries. Discussions focused on opportunities in real estate, infrastructure, technology and other sectors expected to influence the next phase of global economic development.
During the session “From Resilience to Opportunity in a Realigning World,” H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, highlighted the country’s ambition to build a more productive economy.
“When you ask about 2027, we’re not going to come back to the same economy. We’re going to have a different economy in 2027, a more productive economy,” His Excellency said.
His remarks underscored the UAE’s focus on building on its existing economic foundations while adapting to changing market conditions and expanding opportunities for future growth.
Global Leaders Explore the Forces Reshaping Investment
The Summit opened with its Global Leaders Series, which examined the international forces influencing capital movements and the factors reshaping long-term investment decisions.
In “The Great Capital Shift,” José Manuel Barroso, Chairman of International Advisors at Goldman Sachs and former President of the European Commission, explored how geopolitical and economic realignment is changing investors’ perceptions of where capital can be deployed safely and productively.
The discussion also considered which markets could benefit from the redistribution of global investment as international relationships evolve and investors reassess their exposure across regions and sectors.
Ludovic Subran, Group Chief Investment Officer and Chief Economist at Allianz, subsequently addressed the implications of higher interest rates for institutional investors during “Long-Term Capital in a Higher-Rate World.” His session examined the changing balance between fixed income, real estate, infrastructure and private markets.
Barroso: Diversification Will Be Critical to Long-Term Investment
Barroso stressed that the global economy is undergoing a fundamental transformation that extends beyond geopolitics to encompass scientific and technological revolutions. These developments, he argued, will significantly change how investors allocate capital in the years ahead.
He highlighted energy, infrastructure, technology and defence as strategic areas that long-term investors need to consider when assessing the forces likely to reshape markets. He also cautioned against paying excessive prices for growth and emphasised the importance of maintaining liquidity and diversifying investments geographically and across sectors.
“We are witnessing a fundamental change. This is not only geopolitical; it is also a scientific and technological revolution, and the way we allocate capital is going to change phenomenally,” Barroso said.
He added that long-term investors need to think strategically about what will influence markets in the coming years, particularly across energy, infrastructure, technology and defence. His advice was to avoid paying any price for growth, retain some liquidity and, above all, diversify across geographies and sectors.
Barroso also discussed the United States’ continuing position in the global economy, pointing to the dollar’s prominence, the country’s advances in innovation and science, and its geopolitical influence.
At the same time, he suggested that global investors would seek to reduce excessive exposure to the US market, creating opportunities for greater geographical diversification.
Within this changing landscape, Barroso highlighted the Gulf’s approach to international investment, noting that regional economies have kept their options open and can use their strategic position to connect emerging investment destinations.
AI Investment Supports Growth, but What Comes Next?
The Summit also examined the global growth outlook and the increasing influence of artificial intelligence investment on economic activity.
Subran highlighted the role of data-centre investment and AI-related capital expenditure in supporting growth in the United States and the wider global economy. However, he also pointed to growing caution among businesses outside the AI sector and questioned whether the current momentum could be sustained into 2027.
“My main concern is whether the US can sustain the momentum we have seen so far with what is coming in 2027,” Subran said.
He argued that global trade would be in recession this year when AI-related activity is excluded, illustrating the extent to which AI investment and data-centre spending are supporting economic growth.
“At some point that will inflect, and we need to understand what comes next,” he said, adding that businesses outside AI are already cautious about the future and their next investment decisions.
His assessment highlighted a broader question facing investors: which industries and investment categories could sustain economic momentum if the current AI-led cycle begins to change?
Real Estate and Infrastructure Boundaries Are Blurring
Against the backdrop of higher interest rates, Subran also examined the changing role of real assets in institutional investment portfolios.
He argued that real estate is becoming more complex as the boundaries between property, infrastructure and technology increasingly overlap. This convergence is particularly evident in logistics and warehousing, where property assets are closely linked to operational infrastructure and broader economic networks.
“Real estate is really morphing into something much more complicated. The lines between real estate and infrastructure are getting blurred, particularly across logistics and warehousing, creating interesting opportunities for portfolio construction,” Subran said.
The trend is creating new considerations for investors seeking to build diversified portfolios, as assets increasingly combine property ownership with infrastructure capabilities and operational requirements.
The discussion reinforced the importance of looking beyond traditional asset classifications when evaluating long-term opportunities across the built environment and the infrastructure supporting future economic growth.
Dubai Builds on Established Strengths to Attract Global Investment
Dubai’s development model formed another major strand of the Summit’s programme.
Mohamed Alabbar, Founder and Managing Director of Emaar Properties, examined the importance of long-term conviction in city-building and the ability to continue major development projects through changing market cycles.
H.E. Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), explored the economic foundations supporting Dubai’s resilience and its next phase of growth under the D33 Economic Agenda.
Kazim explained that the strategy builds on sectors in which Dubai already has established capabilities, including logistics, manufacturing, financial services and tourism. The objective is to strengthen these areas further while enhancing the emirate’s appeal to international companies and investors.
“When we started our D33 strategy, we focused on industries including logistics, manufacturing, financial services and tourism. None of these were new industries for us; we were already strong in them, but perhaps we were not as vocal about them. Today, we are doubling down on those strengths,” Kazim said.
He added that companies choose Dubai as a regional headquarters not simply because of its local population, but because of the wider international markets and customer bases they can reach from the emirate.
His remarks highlighted the role of global connectivity in Dubai’s investment proposition, alongside the development of established industries and the ability to serve as a gateway to markets across multiple regions.
Tourism Quality Strengthens Dubai’s Economic Proposition
Tourism remains central to Dubai’s economic strategy, with Kazim emphasising the importance of visitor experience and lasting engagement rather than focusing exclusively on visitor numbers.
He said visitors who recognise the value Dubai offers can become advocates for the city, sharing their experiences and encouraging others to visit.
“For me, the biggest value is quality rather than quantity. The quality visitors who come to Dubai become genuine advocates of the city because they understand the value Dubai adds,” Kazim said.
He also noted that around 25% of Dubai’s visitors return within 12 months, describing this as a significant indicator of the relationship people develop with the city after experiencing it.
Repeat visits can support a broad range of economic activities, including hospitality, retail and tourism services, while helping reinforce Dubai’s international reputation as a destination capable of building long-term relationships with visitors.
The discussion positioned tourism not only as a source of economic activity but also as part of the wider framework supporting Dubai’s appeal to businesses, investors and international travellers.
More Than 500 Delegates Assess the Next Investment Cycle
Beyond the macroeconomic outlook, RISE Summit 2026 examined how changing investment priorities are translating into opportunities across the built environment, real estate and the infrastructure required to support future economic growth.
Discussions involving more than 500 delegates highlighted a global investment environment in which capital remains available, but investors are becoming increasingly selective about markets, assets and partnerships.
Economic resilience, infrastructure capacity, regulatory clarity and access to long-term growth opportunities are emerging as increasingly important considerations in investment decisions.
By bringing together institutional investors, sovereign capital, private equity firms, family offices, policymakers, developers and project owners, RISE Summit provides a platform for senior decision-makers to explore how global economic change can translate into practical opportunities across markets, infrastructure, cities and real estate.
The discussions pointed to a future investment environment in which strategic planning, diversification and careful risk assessment will remain essential. As investors reassess their exposure and identify emerging growth sectors, Dubai continues to position itself as a platform connecting international capital with markets and opportunities, supported by its diversified economy and global connectivity.
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