Global Sovereign Wealth Funds Convene In Abu Dhabi To Discuss Investment Resilience And Transformation

The International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds (IFSWF) annual meeting in Abu Dhabi gathered global leaders to discuss long-term investment strategies, portfolio resilience, and the role of sovereign capital amid global changes. The event was held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.

Co-hosted by the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) and Mubadala Investment Company, the forum attracted over 300 senior figures from sovereign wealth funds and financial institutions worldwide. This year's theme, "Building Resilience in an Era of Transformation," focused on practical responses to macroeconomic shifts, technological disruptions, and evolving global relationships.

At ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market), discussions aimed to develop shared visions for enhancing long-term global market stability. Participants explored topics such as investing amidst uncertainty, transformative technologies, building national champions, value creation in private equity portfolios, and strategic portfolio resilience. All sessions adhered to the Chatham House Rule.

H.H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Managing Director of ADIA, remarked on the significance of these discussions: "This week, the sovereign wealth fund community has gathered in Abu Dhabi to discuss key topics driving changes in the global investment landscape, in a spirit of knowledge-sharing and collaboration. The event underlined the important role sovereign wealth funds play in enhancing long-term market stability while highlighting the significant opportunities that lie ahead."

Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Managing Director and Group CEO of Mubadala, emphasised Abu Dhabi's commitment to partnerships: "Abu Dhabi has always believed in the power of partnership, in building bridges between economies, institutions, and people. We see resilience as something dynamic, the ability to evolve with confidence while staying anchored to clear principles: discipline, partnership, and ambition." He highlighted that these principles guide sovereign wealth funds globally.

Obaid Amrane, Chair of IFSWF, reiterated the importance of collaboration: "Bringing our community together to share insights, exchange experiences, and learn from one another is at the heart of IFSWF’s mission, and these discussions have reaffirmed our collective commitment to transparency, good governance, and responsible investing."

Continuing Momentum from Previous Gatherings

The meeting followed last year's event in Muscat which focused on adapting to disruption and strengthening governance amid uncertainty. The 2025 gathering continued this momentum by reinforcing Abu Dhabi's status as a hub for investment dialogue and collaboration. It also highlighted sovereign wealth funds' crucial role as responsible capital stewards.

This year's forum underscored how sovereign wealth funds can enhance long-term market stability through collaboration. By sharing insights on navigating economic shifts and technological changes responsibly, participants aimed to ensure their collective impact remains positive and transparent.

With inputs from WAM