Abu Dhabi to host Fortune Global Forum 2023

The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) announced that the UAE’s Capital will host the 2023 Fortune Global Forum from 27 to 29 November, for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

Forging ahead with efforts to bolster the Emirate’s status as a leading business, economic, and cultural hub, Abu Dhabi is attracting world-class economic events and conferences including the 13th edition of the World Trade Organisation’s Ministerial Conference, UNCTAD’s World Investment Forum, the Annual Investment Meeting, and the World Islamic Economic Forum in 2023 and 2024.

The Fortune Global Forum Abu Dhabi 2023 will serve as a valuable opportunity for CEOs of the world’s biggest multinational companies, decision makers, and economists from around the globe to engage with their peers in the UAE and wider region.

As geopolitical, economic, scientific, and technological developments rapidly reshape the global economy, the Fortune Global Forum, under the theme ‘A New Era for Business’, will address global agendas currently including market and trade dynamics, geopolitical tides, emerging technologies, talent in addition to workplace shifts, climate risk, and consumer trends.

To keep pace with new trends on a global level and deepen economic diversification, Abu Dhabi is focusing on knowledge-based, innovation-driven economic sectors by investing in clusters with high-growth potential including AgriTech, FinTech, Healthcare and Biopharma, Energy, Tourism, and ICT.

The Emirate offers a vibrant, globally competitive, and entrepreneurial ecosystem to generate opportunities for all, enabling businesses and individuals to reach their full potential.

H.E. Rashed Abdulkarim Al Blooshi, Undersecretary of ADDED, said: “Bringing the Fortune Global Forum to Abu Dhabi forms a critical part of our strategic economic progression roadmap, especially as we roll out our contribution to the international business development and ESG agendas alongside other global cities and enterprises, building synergies and improving life for all stakeholders. November’s discussions and analyses by the C-suites, economists, reporters and think tanks in Abu Dhabi will serve to identify mutually beneficial economic opportunities, with sustainability and the notion of stakeholder capitalism at its core.

H.E. Al Blooshi further explains, “In an era characterised by multiple forces influencing all aspects of life, it is imperative that we keep mobilizing towards a viable economic and social goal, raising ambitions, and increasing the pace of implementation. Our mandate and objectives when representing Abu Dhabi and the UAE on the global centerstage, are to collaborate closely with everyone, complementing one another and improving coherence, thus creating greater and more impactful and self-sustaining economic models.”
As part of preparations and agenda development leading up to Fortune Global Forum in Abu Dhabi 2023, Fortune will organise two events in key financial centres during the year.

H.E. Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said: “Abu Dhabi’s progressive track record in hosting global business events of this calibre is testament to our proven capability, best-in-class infrastructure and year-round attractiveness of our destination. In these rapidly changing times for global business, we look forward to welcoming visionaries from government, the private sector and the media to take business dialogue to the next level while experiencing authentic Emirati hospitality in Abu Dhabi.”

Alan Murray, Fortune CEO, said “Abu Dhabi’s growing role as a business, economic and cultural hub make it an ideal location for the 2023 Fortune Global Forum. The world is on the cusp of a new era of globalisation, requiring Fortune 500 companies to rethink their global footprints”.

“Abu Dhabi’s location, climate, culture, infrastructure and other assets make it a top contender for business operations, and I’m confident the leaders of the world’s greatest companies will welcome the opportunity to assemble here in November,” Mr. Murray added.

Launched in 1995, the Fortune Global Forum has established itself as a prime global platform for leaders, chairpersons, presidents, and CEOs of the world’s largest companies, including the Fortune Global 500TM, to discuss trends and factors shaping the global economy and explore cooperation and mutual investments.

Participants in previous Fortune Global Forums have included heads of state including former U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau; and company chairmen and CEOs Jamie Dimon of J.P. Morgan Chase, Ginni Rometty of IBM, Robert Iger of The Walt Disney Company, Alex Gorsky of Johnson & Johnson, Ajay Banga of Mastercard Inc., Ma Yun of Alibaba, Frederick W. Smith of FedEx, Kai-Fu Lee of Sinovation Ventures, and Carlos Brito of Anheuser-Busch InBev.