Dubai:Government officials, institutional investors, sovereign funds, and major developers are set to gather in Dubai this week for the RISE Summit 2026. The summit aims to explore the movement of capital and identify emerging opportunities amid geopolitical shifts and evolving trade dynamics affecting markets, infrastructure, real estate, and the experience economy.
According to Emirates News Agency, the inaugural RISE Summit 2026 will take place on October 14 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, bringing together over 250 senior delegates. The event will focus on how capital can drive economic growth and connect investment strategies with sectors pivotal to future economic and urban development.
The summit coincides with a period of economic recovery for Dubai. The emirate's non-oil private sector Purchasing Managers' Index reached 54.5 in September, marking the highest reading of the year, while real estate sales hit AED 379 billion in the first nine months, the second-highest on record for this period. The Dubai International Financial Centre also reported surpassing 10,000 active registered companies, and Gulf sovereign wealth funds invested a record US$53.9 billion in the first half of 2026.
The Global Leaders Series at the summit will feature key discussions on economic realignment and capital deployment. José Manuel Barroso and Ludovic Subran will lead sessions examining global competition for long-term capital and the effects of changing economic conditions on investment allocations.
Dubai's leadership will provide insights on regional investment strategies and economic diversification. Key figures such as Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri and Helal Saeed Almarri will discuss economic resilience and the emirate's strategic growth plans, while prominent developers like Mohamed Alabbar and Khalid Al Malik will share perspectives on urban development and investment.
The summit will also address infrastructure, technology, and regulatory aspects vital to supporting growth. Sessions will cover transportation, market regulation, and the infrastructure needed for emerging technologies, featuring industry leaders such as Muna Al Osaimi and Abdulla Ahmed Mohammed Saleh Al Shehhi.
Supported by government and industry partners, RISE Summit 2026 aims to foster international capital collaborations, identify cross-border opportunities, and form partnerships that will shape future economies.