Government leaders spotlight livability as the foundation for future investment and sustainable urban growth.
Abu Dhabi is positioning livability as the next driver of global investment with the launch of LIVEX 2026, the emirate’s inaugural Livability and Investment Exhibition.
Announced during a launch press conference at the iconic Zayed National Museum, the event brought together senior government leaders to outline Abu Dhabi’s long-term vision for creating people-centered cities that attract investment, talent, and sustainable economic growth.
Convened by the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), LIVEX 2026 will take place from 29 September to 1 October at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi. The three-day exhibition is expected to welcome more than 20,000 policymakers, institutional investors, urban planners, developers, innovators, and industry experts from over 50 countries.
The exhibition reflects a growing global shift from investment-led growth to livability-led development, recognizing that quality of life is becoming a key factor in attracting long-term capital.
Opening the event, His Excellency Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of DMT, outlined Abu Dhabi’s integrated approach to urban development and its role in strengthening the emirate’s global competitiveness. He said: “Abu Dhabi was built on the belief that a city’s quality of life and economic strength must advance together. Decades of investment in infrastructure, services and communities across the emirate have made that belief a reality, establishing Abu Dhabi as the most livable city in the Middle East and Africa, and one of the world’s most sought-after destinations for international capital. LIVEX is where we bring that story to the world.”
The launch also featured two high-level panel discussions examining the policies and infrastructure shaping Abu Dhabi’s future.
- The first session, People First: The Human Foundations of Abu Dhabi’s Livability, explored how culture, education, community development, energy, and wellbeing contribute to creating a more livable city. Panelists included senior representatives from the Department of Culture and Tourism, Department of Energy, Department of Community Development, and the Department of Education and Knowledge.
- The second discussion, By Design: The Systems and Investment Powering Abu Dhabi’s Urban Future, focused on the infrastructure, technology, and economic policies supporting sustainable urban growth. Speakers included leaders from the Abu Dhabi Investment Office and the Department of Government Enablement – Abu Dhabi, highlighting the importance of innovation, digital services, and strategic investment in strengthening the emirate’s long-term competitiveness.
Throughout the event, representatives from eight Abu Dhabi government entities demonstrated how coordinated investment across infrastructure, healthcare, education, culture, energy, and community services has created an integrated model for sustainable development and economic resilience.
LIVEX 2026 will build on this momentum by providing an international platform where government leaders, investors, developers, and urban planners can explore emerging trends, exchange ideas, and establish new partnerships that support the future of cities.
By bringing together public and private sector decision-makers from around the world, the exhibition aims to showcase Abu Dhabi’s whole-of-government approach to livability while reinforcing its position as a leading destination for investment, innovation, and sustainable urban development.
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