Abu Dhabi opens one of the region’s most significant infrastructure events tomorrow as the second edition of the Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit (ADIS 2026) gets underway at the International Convention Centre, ADNEC. Running from 12 to 14 May, the summit is themed “The Urban Evolution: Rethinking Cities, Redefining Lifestyles,” with a focus on sustainable urban expansion and smarter project delivery.
What Is ADIS 2026 and Why Does It Matter?
Organised by the Abu Dhabi Projects and Infrastructure Centre (ADPIC), the event is anchored by serious economic weight. The emirate is advancing an infrastructure pipeline valued at more than $57 billion, spanning housing, transport, education, culture, and social infrastructure. Abu Dhabi’s GDP reached a record AED 325.7 billion in Q3 2025, with construction growing 13.9 percent year-on-year.
7,000 Professionals, 100+ Speakers, and Global Investment on the Table
ADIS 2026 is expected to attract more than 7,000 industry professionals, over 100 speakers, and 75 exhibitors from across the infrastructure value chain. International participation has expanded significantly, with delegations from Singapore, China, and Türkiye joining following ADPIC roadshows in 2025 that produced nine MoUs and over 30 B2B meetings.
Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport, framed the stakes clearly: “The question is no longer whether to build. It is how to build well. How to build wisely.”
New for 2026: FIDIC Sessions, Roundtables, and CPD Accreditation
For the first time, ADIS 2026 features dedicated sessions with the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC), covering procurement, contract management, and dispute avoidance. The programme also includes invite-only Leadership Roundtables under the Chatham House Rule, a B2B matchmaking platform, and CPD-accredited sessions.
Abu Dhabi Sets the Benchmark as Global Urban Demand Surges
Urban populations are set to grow by 2.5 billion by mid-century, with $106 trillion in infrastructure investment required globally through 2040. Abu Dhabi is positioning itself not just as a builder, but as a blueprint for how cities should grow.
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