13/05/2026
Share:
13/05/2026
Share:
ABU DHABI, May 13: At a time when cities around the world are grappling with rapid urbanization and mounting sustainability challenges, Abu Dhabi is positioning itself at the forefront of the global infrastructure transformation.
The second edition of the Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit 2026 (ADIS 2026) opened on Tuesday at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, bringing together policymakers, investors, developers, financiers, and innovators from around the world to discuss the future of sustainable urban development and next-generation city planning.
The summit commenced with a keynote address titled “Abu Dhabi’s New Era: Powering Growth, Securing Stability” delivered by Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Projects and Infrastructure Centre (ADPIC). The keynote highlighted Abu Dhabi’s long-term vision for infrastructure-led economic growth, resilience, and sustainable development.
This was followed by another keynote session titled “From City-Building to City-Making: Redefining Urban Evolution” presented by Maysarah Mahmoud Eid, Director General of ADPIC, who emphasized the transition toward more people-centric, technologically advanced, and sustainable urban environments.
A major highlight of the summit came during the on-stage session titled “Fireside Chat: The UAE Model: Building the World’s Best Infrastructure,” featuring Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei in conversation with Becky Anderson.
During the discussion, Al Mazrouei revealed that Abu Dhabi will lead the UAE’s largest wave of infrastructure spending over the next four years, with investments set to cover roads, transport systems, railways, metro projects, and high-speed train networks.
He underscored the UAE’s commitment to building integrated and resilient infrastructure systems capable of supporting economic diversification, population growth, and environmental sustainability, while enhancing national and regional connectivity through advanced transportation networks.
The summit, which runs until May 14, reflects Abu Dhabi’s growing stature as a leading global platform for shaping future-ready cities amid accelerating worldwide urban transformation.
Discussions throughout ADIS 2026 are centered on developing urban models that are smarter, greener, and more resilient to environmental, economic, and technological pressures. Key themes include sustainable mobility, digital infrastructure, climate adaptation, energy-efficient urban planning, and the integration of artificial intelligence into modern city management systems.
The event comes as urban populations worldwide are projected to increase by approximately 2.5 billion people by the middle of the century, intensifying pressure on governments and planners to rethink how cities are designed and operated. At the same time, global infrastructure projects are expected to require investments totaling nearly $106 trillion by 2040, underscoring the enormous scale of future development demands.
Participants stressed that collaboration between governments, private sector stakeholders, and financial institutions will be essential to delivering sustainable infrastructure capable of meeting future global needs.