The 15th AIM Congress (Annual Investment Meeting) is taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 7 to 9 September 2026.
The event is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai.
The 15th AIM Congress officially opened its doors at the Dubai World Trade Centre on 7 September 2026, running for three days and currently entering its second day on 8 September.
This year’s edition carries the theme Reshaping Global Prosperity: Unlocking New Investment Pathways Towards a Sustainable and Inclusive Future, built around three strategic pillars: Global Markets, Future Economies and NexGen.
Opening Highlights & High-Level Participation
Hosted under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the opening ceremony featured a keynote address by His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah. His speech was titled The Ras Al Khaimah Model: Building a Global Investment Gateway from an Emirate.
He underscored the UAE’s people-centric development vision, stating that “Capital funds growth, but people are the true wealth and foundation of lasting progress”, drawing inspiration from the late founding father Sheikh Zayed.
Other prominent speakers and attendees include:
- Taye Atske Selassie Amde, President of Ethiopia
- Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade
- Robinah Nabbanja, Prime Minister of Uganda
- Dr. Mohan Yadav, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, India
- Mohamed Alabbar, Founder of Emaar Properties and senior figure of Dubai Chambers
- Yusuff Ali MA, Chairman of Lulu Group International
- Mishal Hamad Ali Mohamed Kanoo, Chairman of Kanoo Group
Salman Mahdi, Global Vice Chairman of Deutsche Bank Private Banking, remarked during the Congress that the GCC has evolved into a core hub for global wealth flows, underpinned by three pillars: intergenerational wealth transfer, family office capital and sovereign capital. He noted that the global landscape is highly competitive, and legacy approaches may no longer serve future needs.
Scale & Impact
Building on the strong momentum of the 2025 edition, which attracted 15,831 participants, 1,385 speakers and 431 sessions across 181 countries, the 2026 Congress is poised to match or exceed this scale. It assembles global leaders, policymakers, institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds, investment promotion agencies, tech enterprises and entrepreneurs. The programme comprises main-stage keynotes, destination investment forums, roundtable discussions, international exhibitions, workshops, startup pitch sessions, award ceremonies, plus structured matchmaking and networking activities.
The UAE’s robust investment performance forms a powerful backdrop to the Congress. According to UNCTAD’s World Investment Report 2026, the UAE recorded AED 177.3 billion (approx. USD 48.2 billion) in FDI inflows in 2025, hitting a four-year high and lifting the nation to 9th place globally.
Featured Pavilions & Regional Highlights
- Africa Pavilion: Hosted by the Africa-GCC Council under the banner “Africa’s Voice in the Middle East”. It focuses on shifting from resource extraction to value-chain upgrading, manufacturing, renewable energy and agricultural investment. African leaders including Uganda’s Prime Minister and Ethiopia’s President actively promoted national opportunities. UAE investment into Africa over recent years has surpassed USD 110 billion, with green energy accounting for a substantial share.
- Ras Al Khaimah Pavilion: Showcases the Emirate as a competitive investment destination, featuring RAKEZ free zone, real estate, innovation cities and infrastructure projects.
- Indian State Participation: Bihar set up its pavilion to promote industrial investment incentives, semiconductor policies and Global Capability Centre (GCC) frameworks. Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh also led a delegation to showcase handicrafts, manufacturing and investment prospects.
- Multiple national and regional pavilions and investment promotion agencies are present to foster cross-border collaboration and memorandum signings.
Core Discussion Themes
Delegates engaged in in-depth discussions spanning sustainable investment, economic diversification, digital transformation and cross-border collaboration. Topics covered global capital flows, emerging market strategies, technological innovation, sustainable development frameworks, family offices and sovereign capital, African industrialisation, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence and next-generation entrepreneurship. Against a backdrop of geopolitical shifts, energy transition and accelerated technological advancement, attendees widely agreed that the UAE and GCC are emerging as a critical bridge connecting high-growth markets across Europe, Africa and Asia.
More than an investment matchmaking platform, the 15th AIM Congress serves as a vital arena for global economic dialogue and cooperation.
It further solidifies Dubai and the UAE’s standing as a global capital and business hub, charting new pathways for sustainable and inclusive growth. The event will continue until 9 September, with more cooperation agreements and investment letters of intent expected to be announced.