Reuters NEXT Gulf leadership summit to return with Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development as exclusive host city partner for next three years

NEW YORK, Aug. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Reuters announced today that Reuters NEXT Gulf will return on October 21, 2026, bringing its definitive live leadership summit back to Abu Dhabi following the success of its inaugural event last year. The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development will continue as the exclusive host city partner for Reuters NEXT Gulf over the next three years, building on the success of the summit's inaugural edition in 2025.

"In 2025, we brought Reuters NEXT to the Gulf because the region's trajectory demands a summit equal to its ambition," said Josh London, Head of Reuters Professional. "In 2026, at a time of uncertainty across the Middle East, Reuters NEXT Gulf will give decision-makers unfiltered access to the people moving markets, shaping policy, managing risk and investing in the future."

His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, said: "Abu Dhabi is a powerful convener of leaders, decision-makers, innovators, senior executives, and media. Such gatherings enable the dialogue and partnerships needed to drive investment and economic growth in a rapidly changing world. Abu Dhabi's leadership in sectors including financial services, advanced manufacturing, AI, trade, logistics, and new energy makes it a natural platform for global conversations about the future economy."

Al Zaabi added "The return of Reuters NEXT Gulf reflects Abu Dhabi's growing role in shaping global economic conversations. As the emirate advances its long-term economic transformation agenda, forums such as Reuters NEXT Gulf provide an important platform to exchange ideas, strengthen partnerships and explore the opportunities that will define the next phase of global growth."

The decision to bring Reuters NEXT back to Abu Dhabi follows its successful debut in 2025, which convened more than 600 senior executives from 40+ countries in the room and reached 2 million viewers worldwide via livestream. The summit delivered unparalleled access to insights from global leaders, innovators and CEOs tackling defining business and society in a region emerging as a global hub for AI, finance and innovation.

More than 30 elite speakers joined the World Stage to address six core themes: Geopolitics, Economy & Markets, Banking & Finance, Technology & AI, Climate & Sustainability, and Corporate Leadership. Speakers from 2025 include:

• United Arab Emirates Advisor to the President H.E. Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash
• Egypt's Minister of Planning, Economic Development & International Cooperation H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat
• Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar
• UAE Minister of State H.E. Lana Nusseibeh
• Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development Chairman H.E Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi
• Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, President & Executive Managing Director H.E. Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak
• European Union Special Representative for the Gulf Region Luigi Di Maio
• Emaar Founder and Chairman Mohamed Alabbar
• HashKey Exchange CEO Haiyang Ru
• Saudi Technology Ventures, Founder & Chief Executive Officer Abdulrahman Tarabzouni
• Gulf Research Center Chairman Abdulaziz Al Sager
• Red Sea Global CEO John Pagano
• Landmark Group Chairwoman Renuka Jagtiani

Curated by Reuters award-winning journalists in accordance with the Thomson Reuters Trust Principles of independence, accuracy and freedom from bias, Reuters NEXT Gulf will provide the region with access to the ultimate gathering of leading minds across the Gulf and around the world. In 2026, the event will expand the invitation-only gathering with more stages and sessions, executive roundtables and breakouts, vertical-specific strategy sessions and networking opportunities.

Visit our website to stay up to date with event announcements and to apply to attend Reuters NEXT Gulf in October 2026.

About Reuters

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