Abu Dhabi:The inaugural Forbes Middle East Family Business Summit commenced today in Abu Dhabi, presented by First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB). The two-day event, themed 'Where Generations Build Tomorrow,' features over 60 speakers and is anticipated to draw approximately 3,000 participants.
According to Wam, the summit, held at Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, Saadiyat Island, is under the patronage of the Ministry of Economy and Tourism. It brings together senior government officials and family business leaders such as Juma Mohammed Al Kait, Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy and Tourism; Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development; and Hamad Sayah Al Mazrouei, Undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development.
Also present on the first day were Rashed Abdulkarim Al Blooshi, CEO of the Registration Authority, Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM); Khaled Alfahim, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Family Business Council; Dr. Ahmed Abdulrahman Albanna, Chairman of The Emirates Family Office Association; and Futoon Hamdan Al Mazrouei, Group Head of Personal, Business, Wealth, and Privileged Client Banking Group at FAB, along with family business leaders, investors, and experts.
The summit's opening day included an awards ceremony recognizing companies on Forbes Middle East's Top Arab Family Businesses 2026 list for their economic contributions and role in business continuity and intergenerational succession. Discussions focused on the role of family enterprises in economic growth, governance, leadership succession, and the increasing role of women in leadership.
The event also examined strategies for building institutional family offices, managing portfolios, diversifying businesses, and attracting strategic investors. The Successors Forum, a key component of the summit, addressed the readiness of the next generation to take on leadership roles and the challenges they face.
The second day of the summit will feature the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Forbes Middle East and the Abu Dhabi Family Business Council, aiming to enhance Abu Dhabi's family business ecosystem. Discussions will continue to focus on wealth management, financial literacy, and the next generation's role in sustaining family enterprise growth. The summit is supported by strategic partners including the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development and Abu Dhabi Global Market.