The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) has partnered with renowned actor and humanitarian Idris Elba to leverage the Emirate's vision for a secure and sustainable food and water future. This partnership will capitalise on the Emirate’s emergence as a global pioneer in food production and water treatment, powered by sustainable technology solutions. The agreement comes after the launch of Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative to confront the urgent challenge of water scarcity around the world.

With the aim of accelerating their development and implementation, the newly announced alliance with Elba, through his impact investment company The Akuna Group (TAG), will showcase Abu Dhabi’s leading initiatives in the fields of novel food development, agricultural transformation, and water treatment and technology. Abu Dhabi is aiming to pioneer cultivation of onshore high value add microalgae, offshore farming of key fish stocks, and innovate reverse osmosis water treatment.

TAG is dedicated to nurturing the growth of African industries and entrepreneurship, through strategic multi-sectoral partnerships, impact investments, innovative technologies, and high-level advisory services across and beyond the continent.

As an initial undertaking, Mr. Elba will engage in global conversations and awareness initiatives to inspire and accelerate the transformation of food and water systems, using Abu Dhabi as a model to drive positive economic and social impact for future generations. These efforts will also include collaborations with global institutions to highlight the worldwide impact of Abu Dhabi’s forward-thinking initiatives.

Badr Al-Olama, Director General of ADIO, said: “Transforming constraints into opportunities, Abu Dhabi strives to be at the forefront of innovation in food and water production, sustainability and growth. Together with our partners, we are continuing to pioneer and implement cutting-edge solutions that address global nutritional and environmental challenges. We are excited to align with fellow visionaries, and our collaboration with Mr. Elba will be instrumental in reimagining the future of food and water for the region and beyond.”

Mr. Elba, President and Founder of The Akuna Group, said: “Drawing inspiration from the pioneering blueprints that have shaped the United Arab Emirates, we are set to journey globally in our mission to provide a better future for all. By engaging with innovators, engineers, and tech entrepreneurs dedicated to addressing the world's most critical challenges, we are set to build on the ambition of dreamers in the UAE and discover new solutions that foster positive economic and social change."

ADIO is committed to facilitating the growth of Abu Dhabi’s economy, propelling a future where progress and purpose converge to address the world’s most pressing challenges and drive universal well-being. Providing attractive investment and growth opportunities for local, regional and international players, ADIO prioritises the development and enhancement of advanced value-add technologies and approaches, including in the realm of food and water sustainability, access and supply.

ADIO’s initiatives directly support the nation’s strategies to ensure national wellbeing, including the National Food Security Strategy 2051 - which aims to make the UAE the world’s top nation on the Global Food Security Index - and the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036 that seeks to ensure sustainable access to water under all conditions. The recently launched Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative further seeks to enhance awareness of the severity of the water scarcity crisis, and accelerate the pace of technological innovation and international investment to deal with the challenges it poses.

Elba earlier shared his insights at the inaugural Impact Summit organised by ADIO and Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem Hub71, discussing the Sherbro Island City Project that he co-founded to set a bold example for private sector-led development and community empowerment in emerging economies.

Global MICE Organisation Limited (GMOLx) announced today the launch of DRIFTx in Abu Dhabi, an international thought-leadership and exhibition platform dedicated to advancing the future of smart and autonomous mobility across air, land, and sea. Anchored by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), which recently launched Abu Dhabi’s Smart & Autonomous Vehicle Industry (SAVI) cluster, DRIFTx will convene global leaders to shape the future of transportation and sustainable mobility, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s emergence as a global hub for advanced urban mobility.

Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, R&D centres, and comprehensive value-added services within a conducive regulatory framework, Abu Dhabi’s SAVI cluster aims to unlock and amplify the global potential of smart and autonomous vehicle technologies. Aligned with these goals, DRIFTx aims to serve as an international platform within this dynamic ecosystem, driving multi-disciplinary dialogue and collaboration between leaders and innovators from across the world, including multi-national organisations, governments, academia, regulatory bodies, and the global start-up community, as well as showcasing smart and autonomous mobility solutions across air, land and sea applications.

Welcoming the launch of DRIFTx, Badr Al-Olama, Director General of Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), said: “With growing urbanisation, smart and autonomous technologies stand as a transformative wave that will address mobility in light of complex challenges that are related to environmental sustainability, social equity, and urban planning. DRIFTx will serve as SAVI’s flagship platform that will foster cross-disciplinary collaboration to drive innovation across the sector, and cementing Abu Dhabi as the epicentre for advanced urban mobility that unites the automotive, aviation, and maritime sectors to shape a more connected, sustainable, and equitable future.”

With the global smart and autonomous vehicle market projected to grow exponentially, reaching an estimated value of $448.6 billion by 2035, these technologies are at the forefront of advancing urban mobility globally, revolutionising transportation and how cities are designed and planned. Set to be held in April 2024, DRIFTx will drive multi-disciplinary discussions, foster collaboration, and showcase innovations that propel sustainable aviation, drone technology, smart road and rail systems, eco-conscious maritime solutions, and last-mile delivery solutions.

Namir Hourani, Managing Director of Global MICE Organisation Limited (GMOLx), said: "We are thrilled to be launching DRIFTx, supporting Abu Dhabi’s mission to pioneer smart and autonomous vehicle applications in the UAE and beyond. By bringing together key stakeholders in Abu Dhabi, DRIFTx is set to catalyse discussions and collaborations that will create a sustainable, innovative future that transcends borders and sets new benchmarks in the autonomous vehicle and mobility sector.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) announced that Joby Aviation (NYSE:JOBY), a California-based company developing electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for commercial passenger service, plans to participate in the Emirate’s new Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry (SAVI) cluster.

Centred in Masdar City, the cluster provides state-of-the art facilities and value-add services within an enabling regulatory environment for companies developing advanced technologies across air, land, and sea mobility applications. Joby Aviation, which plans to launch commercial passenger services using its piloted, five seat aircraft in 2025, expects to establish a footprint in the cluster to support the maturation of technology that will enable it to fly its aircraft autonomously in the future.

Badr Al-Olama, Acting Director General of Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), said: “ADIO looks forward to welcoming Joby Aviation to Abu Dhabi’s SAVI cluster, which is attracting innovators from across the globe. Joby Aviation adds further scale and specialisation to the cluster and will be a catalyst for the accelerated development of air mobility applications. As the cluster grows, the positive impact on the broader Abu Dhabi economy will be felt in related industries such as manufacturing, software development, logistics, and testing and certification.”

 ADIO will support Joby Aviation by connecting them with relevant partners across the Abu Dhabi ecosystem, including regulators, relevant government departments and potential investors.

 "Autonomous flight has the potential to unlock important benefits for our customers over the long term,” said JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO, Joby Aviation. “We welcome the opportunity to participate in the SAVI cluster and look forward to collaborating with the team at ADIO as we work towards our mission of delivering fast, quiet and convenient air taxi service in cities around the world.”

 Abu Dhabi’s extensive multi-modal cluster is designed to transform the direction of smart and autonomous vehicles across air, land and sea. Companies will have access to academia, sandboxes, R&D labs, testing and certification facilities, large scale workshops, hangars, manufacturing facilities, and global logistics integration.

The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) has officially launched an ongoing series of meetings to deepen collaborative ties with the private sector, ultimately realising the ambitious vision of the Falcon Economy within the Emirate. Al Multaqa meetings are targeted specifically at empowering Abu Dhabi’s family offices to achieve further commercial success and drive accelerated economic growth.

ADDED, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), have organised the meetings as a platform to enable ongoing dialogue with family offices to support investment and the development of new pro-business policies. Participating companies will have access to information on the full range of investment opportunities available in Abu Dhabi to achieve their commercial goals and drive economic growth in the coming years.

His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), said: "A pivotal aspect for Abu Dhabi lies in the cultivation of an open and cooperative dialogue between the government and the private sector. This collaboration is not only fundamental to the business ecosystem, but also underpins the entirety of our economy, contributing a substantial 60% to Abu Dhabi's non-oil GDP."

"Private sector and family businesses are instrumental in maintaining economic growth and prosperity due to their considerable experience, ability to adapt to market trends, and their unique position to form alliances with government organisations and global investors, particularly in sectors that are in harmony with Abu Dhabi's strategic initiatives. This spirit of partnership has not only helped establish Abu Dhabi as a regional and global economic leader, but also laid the groundwork for a sustainable future that emphasizes growth, prosperity, and well-being for all.” Al Zaabi added.

The inaugural Al Multaqa meeting in Abu Dhabi was attended by over 70 family office representatives. The event highlighted growth opportunities for Abu Dhabi’s family businesses. These include opportunities generated by Abu Dhabi’s public-private partnership (PPP) framework, which is driving infrastructure development while enabling private sector innovation and knowledge transfer. Long-term PPP projects establish sustainable business models and enable growth for local businesses and suppliers. Companies also learned about ADIO’s long-term Musataha agreements, which provide private sector investors with opportunities to develop government-owned land, which is a key enabler of investment.

Different elements of Abu Dhabi’s investment and innovation ecosystems were represented at the meeting. Family offices exploring a public listing on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) discussed the comprehensive set of benefits offered by the Abu Dhabi IPO Programme, from non-financial advisory services to a potential anchor investment.

Another key area of interest was the accelerated development of local and global startups, particularly through Abu Dhabi's global tech ecosystem Hub71. This dynamic platform brings together key enablers and investors in the region, fostering collaboration and facilitating access to resources for promising startups. For family offices seeking to diversify their investment portfolio, Hub71 presents a unique opportunity to invest in these high-potential ventures and contribute to the burgeoning tech scene in Abu Dhabi.

The event also highlighted the Abu Dhabi Industrial Bureau (IDB) efforts to support investment including the Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy (ADIS) which aims to leverage advanced technologies to harmonise human development, sustainability, and growth, particularly in innovative and green technologies. This is complemented by the IDB’s industrial incentives and funds provided to support manufacturers in digitalising their operations. The Abu Dhabi Residents Office (ADRO) also presented the support they provide investors with a seamless journey towards establishing their business in the Emirate while also attracting some of the best talent in the world.

Also speaking at the event was ADDED’s Trade Facilitation Sector highlighting its role in further driving the Emirate’s economic diversification strategy by leveraging the UAE’s economic relations and CEPA agreements with key markets, such as India and China. They also highlighted the support offered by ADDED in driving the UAE’s exports globally by addressing challenges faced by the family offices and providing them with up-to-date data on the global trade and logistics sector through Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Trade and Logistics Platform (ALTP) and Abu Dhabi’s Exports Gateway (ADEG), which provide free access to databases and informational resources.

The enactment of the Family Business Governance Law in 2022 underscores the government's commitment to providing a robust legislative and regulatory framework, ensuring the continued development and vitality of these enterprises across generations.

The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and Hub71 have partnered to launch the groundbreaking Impact Summit in Abu Dhabi, positioning the Emirate at the forefront of the global tech innovation and entrepreneurship movement. The inaugural summit brought together visionaries and trailblazers to highlight Abu Dhabi’s thriving tech ecosystem and attractive investment prospects. With the theme 'Big, Bold, Business,' and hosted at the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the summit underscored Abu Dhabi’s prominent role as a thriving global business and investment hub that nurtures the success of companies at the forefront of innovation.

Reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s commitment to empower the growth of tech entrepreneurs both locally and on the global stage, the Impact Summit showcased inspiring sessions on the pivotal role of innovation in fueling economic transformation. Renowned speakers and headliners at the event shared their entrepreneurial insight, emphasizing the use of advanced technologies to generate value-driven returns.

Badr Al-Olama, Director General of ADIO, joined Emmy award-winning comedian, New York Times bestselling author, Trevor Noah on a panel session titled ‘Return on Impact: Abu Dhabi, the world’s capital of capital’, delving into the Emirate's ambition to evolve its ecosystem into a leading global destination for innovators. Additionally, actor, businessman, producer, and humanitarian Idris Elba shared insights on the Sherbro Island City project. This upcoming city project in Sierra Leone, for which Elba serves as co-founder of Sherbro, aims to set a bold example for private sector-led development, embodying a visionary approach to sustainable growth and community empowerment.

Badr Al-Olama, Director General of ADIO, said: “Abu Dhabi is emerging as the premier destination for startups and innovators worldwide, offering a dynamic platform for facilitating the world's most promising breakthroughs. We have strategically engineered an ecosystem that is designed to attract and cultivate top-tier talent from across the globe. Beyond being the new tech north star, Abu Dhabi has much to offer with its unmatched quality of life and thriving pathways for growth. Our culture embraces diversity, ensuring that everyone, regardless of color, religion, or ethnicity, finds a welcoming home in the world's capital of capital”.

The Summit took place during the second day of Hub71’s Impact Event, where Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem announced empowering programmes and new talent strategy. Since its inception, the ecosystem has attracted more than 260 startups that have raised AED 5.4 billion (USD 1.47 billion) collectively in venture capital.

Joining Trevor Noah and Idris Elba, notable sports figures such as Paul Pogba, Amir Khan, and Tommy Fury contributed to engaging panel discussions at the Impact Summit. The Summit, which was supported by Maven Global Access’ flagship program Access Abu Dhabi, brought together diverse perspectives on innovation and entrepreneurship.

Paul Pogba, a renowned professional footballer, outlined his entrepreneurial spirit and journey. With his tech investments aligning with his commitment to social impact, Pogba currently supports ventures like Wahed, the world’s first global Islamic robo-advisor, FWRD, a natural sports drink company leveraging blockchain for IP ownership democratization, and Converge, an AI-based digital platform optimising and decarbonising concrete construction.

In his session, Tommy Fury, an accomplished boxer and TV personality, explored the importance of the champion mindset in athletics and entrepreneurial prowess. Fury discussed his plans to shift from athlete to entrepreneur by launching boxing academies worldwide. Abu Dhabi has captured Fury's attention offering a favorable business environment, diverse population, and strategic location bridging the East and West. The Emirate stands at the crossroads of one of the world's fastest-growing boxing markets, adding to its appeal as a potential hub for Fury's ambitions.

The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) and a multinational consortium led by Plenary Group and BESIX Group, today inaugurated three state-of-the-art schools in Abu Dhabi’s Zayed City. The newly inaugurated educational facilities represent the first time that school infrastructure has been developed in the UAE under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.

Completed on schedule and within budget, the project has significantly enhanced Abu Dhabi's educational landscape by ensuring additional capacity for 5,360 students, from kindergarten to Grade 12, for the 2024-2025 academic year and beyond. Instrumental to the project’s successful realisation, ADEK played a pivotal role in ensuring that the project met the highest standards of design, and material and equipment selection. Through the active coordination of various entities, the project was delivered successfully, in line with operational expectations.

Officials gathered at one of the Zayed City School campuses today to celebrate the opening in the presence of His Excellency Mubarak Hamad Al Mheiri, Undersecretary at ADEK, His Excellency Badr Al-Olama, Director General at ADIO, , Dr. Tareq Al Ameri, Assets and Facilities Office Director at ADEK, and senior officials from the BESIX-Plenary consortium, including Mr. Peter Lembrechts, General Manager BESIX Middle East, Elias Sfeir, Head of Concessions and Assets BESIX Middle East, Benoit Vadani, Director of Development BESIX Middle East,  Paul Crowe, CIO Plenary Group, Moustafa Fahour, COO Plenary Middle East, Oliver Barbagello, Executive Director –Origination Plenary Middle East, and Sergio Calcarao, Managing Director – Origination Plenary Group.

As the first educational facilities delivered through ADIO's PPP procurement framework, the Zayed City Schools project aims to elevate the standard of educational facilities in the Emirate and serve as a model for increased private sector participation in the delivery and financing of public infrastructure across Abu Dhabi.

Yaser Al Nuaimi, Acting Head – Infrastructure Partnerships at ADIO, said: “The Zayed City Schools project exemplifies the transformative power of public-private partnerships in realising Abu Dhabi's future-focused infrastructure development. By leveraging private sector expertise in design, construction, and financing, we've created world-class educational facilities equipped to empower students with the learning spaces they need to reach their highest potential. This success paves the way for further collaboration, offering our private sector partners unprecedented opportunities to contribute to Abu Dhabi's sustainable growth while capitalising on long-term investment returns.”

The three new schools, located within Abu Dhabi’s Zayed City, span a combined area of 81,000 square meters. Designed to meet rigorous Estidama sustainability standards, the campuses feature state-of-the-art technologies alongside learning spaces engineered to inspire creativity, marking a new benchmark for educational facilities in the region.

Dr. Tareq Al Ameri, Assets and Facilities Office Director at ADEK, said: “The inauguration of Zayed City Schools marks a significant milestone in our mission to provide world-class education in Abu Dhabi. This project not only empowers more students to access quality education, but also highlights the importance of public-private partnerships in realising Abu Dhabi's ambitious educational goals. We remain committed to this journey, ensuring that every student in the Emirate has the opportunity to learn and succeed in an environment that fosters innovation and excellence.”

Mohamed Badr El Din, General Manager at BESIX Plenary Education Properties Development L.L.C. (BESIX Plenary Consortium), said: “As a key partner in the Zayed City Schools project consortium, BESIX/Plenary is proud to contribute to a project that embodies a visionary approach to infrastructure development. This strategic collaboration leverages the strengths of all partners to set new benchmarks, highlighting the transformative impact of uniting powerful government and private entities to drive innovation and development. The Zayed City Schools PPP project stands as a testament to the true spirit and success of public-private partnerships. This achievement, delivered on time and within budget, marks the beginning of a long-term relationship that will extend throughout the operation phase. It showcases the power of strong collaboration between the public and private sectors in shaping a brighter future. By merging public interests with private sector innovation, we are creating sustainable solutions that meet the needs of future generations and inspire new hope.”

The successful completion of the Zayed City Schools underscores ADIO's commitment to expanding its PPP programme and serves as a testament to Abu Dhabi's innovative approach to infrastructure development. This initiative aims to increase private sector participation and foreign direct investment, enhance accountability and efficiency in public asset management, develop long-term collaborations between government and private entities, and provide investors with access to lucrative concessions.

BESIX and Plenary are the key private sector partners in the Zayed City Schools PPP Project Consortium. Plenary is an independent long-term investor, developer, and manager of public infrastructure, with over USD56 billion in assets across North America, Australia, the Middle East, and the UK. They specialise in public-private partnerships, local development, and asset management, delivering world-class infrastructure on time and within budget.

BESIX, a leading Belgian group operating in the Middle East since 1966, has a strong presence across the GCC region. With expertise in construction, real estate development, and concessions, BESIX designs and builds complex projects globally. The company also acts as an industrial equity provider and leader in public-private partnerships, managing the operation and maintenance of diverse projects, including social infrastructure and environmental initiatives.

Building on this success, ADIO is advancing other significant PPP opportunities, including the development of world-class student accommodation facilities in partnership with the globally top-ranked Khalifa University of Science and Technology.