The inaugural edition of the Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit (ADIS 2025) kicked off yesterday under the theme “Future Cities: Reimagining Infrastructure for Better Lives,” with an ambitious agenda to reshape urban development.
The first day of the Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit (ADIS 2025) witnessed the summit’s success in setting an ambitious agenda to reshape urban development and enhance quality of life. The summit, held under the theme “Future Cities: Reimagining Infrastructure for Better Lives,” welcomed more than 2,500 participants and hosted over 70 international speakers and 30 exhibitors, along with a host of decision-makers, investors, industry leaders, and innovation pioneers.
The summit began with an opening speech by Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, in which he emphasized the emirate’s pioneering role in shaping the future. His Excellency focused on the integral relationship between economic growth and quality of life, emphasizing Abu Dhabi’s commitment to excellence in both aspects through world-class infrastructure. In the session “Developing the World’s Most Livable City,” Ahmed Jassim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, participated alongside Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa, discussing the relationship between investment, infrastructure, and decent living. During the session, Al Shorafa announced a new initiative, the launch of the Living and Investment Exhibition LIVEX next year.
Main stations on the first day
- Infrastructure as a Driver of Comprehensive Development: Speakers, such as His Excellency Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa and His Excellency Ahmed Jassim Al Zaabi, emphasized the pivotal role of infrastructure in promoting economic growth and quality of life. The launch of LIVEX next year was announced, highlighting the more than 40% growth in Abu Dhabi’s construction sector over the past five years.
- Abu Dhabi: A Capital of Lifestyle Development: The summit discussed how Abu Dhabi is redefining the concept of urban growth, focusing on the role of smart infrastructure and integrated planning in enhancing mobility, quality of life, and community cohesion. The importance of strategic investment partnerships and the role of developing entertainment and tourism destinations in consolidating Abu Dhabi’s position was also emphasized.
- Innovation and Technology: The summit focused on the transformative potential of advanced construction methods, artificial intelligence, and Building Information Modeling (BIM) in accelerating projects and enhancing the planning and management of future cities, showcasing global experiences such as Hong Kong’s modern construction.
- Strengthening Partnerships and Economic Resilience: The summit highlighted the importance of international cooperation and robust economic frameworks in achieving ambitious visions, in addition to developing an integrated logistics infrastructure that enhances Abu Dhabi’s position as a global transportation hub.
- Empowering Local Economies: The first day concluded with a session on In-Country Value (ICV) programs and SME empowerment, and their role in supporting supply chains, developing national competencies, and achieving economic diversification.
The summit saw broad participation from international cooperation partners, adding a global dimension to discussions on innovative infrastructure development. Participants look forward to continuing the discussions on the second day, scheduled for June 18, 2025.
