Under the Patronage of His Highness Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, His Highness Saud bin Saqr Inaugurates the AIM Investment Summit 2026 in Dubai

• HH Saud bin Saqr: “Under the vision and leadership of Mohamed bin Zayed, the UAE continues to strengthen its role as a global hub for cooperation. Through thoughtful planning and trust-based partnerships, Ras Al Khaimah has succeeded in diversifying its economy.”
• Ras Al Khaimah’s business ecosystem encompasses more than 73,000 companies from over 100 countries, reflecting confidence in the emirate as a destination for business establishment, expansion and growth
• His Excellency Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi: “The UAE has established itself as a global hub for trade and investment.”
• The UAE attracted US$48.3 billion in foreign direct investment in 2025, ranking ninth globally among the largest FDI destinations
• Ethiopian President expresses appreciation for the UAE’s role in supporting human development through the ‘5 Million Coders’ initiative
  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Sept. 07, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, today inaugurated the 15th edition of the AIM Investment Summit 2026 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The summit convenes leaders, policymakers, institutional investors, innovators and 25,000 participants from 191 countries, alongside 540 global speakers across 103 keynote, interactive and dialogue sessions.

During the summit, HH Al Qasimi was briefed on discussions that serve as a global platform for shaping investment trends and anticipating growth opportunities. His Highness also toured the accompanying exhibition, where he was briefed on the most prominent participations, initiatives and investment opportunities presented by participating entities and institutions.

The summit, which continues until 9 September, opened with a keynote address by His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade and Chairman of the Summit, followed by a speech from the summit’s Guest of Honour, His Excellency Taye Atsuki Selassie Amedi, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

Among the dignitaries in attendance were HE Rustam Nurgalievich Minnikhanov, President of the Republic of Tatarstan; His Majesty Ogyami Atawatsi III of the Kingdom of Warri, Nigeria, and Her Majesty Oluri Ife Atawatsi III; HE Robinah Nabanga, Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda; HE Tugmed Durjkhand, Deputy Prime Minister of Mongolia; HE Dr. Mohan Yadav, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Republic of India; and HE Jassim Mohammed Al Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

In a keynote address titled ‘The Ras Al Khaimah Model: Building a Global Investment Gateway from a Regional Emirate’, HH Al Qasimi said that the AIM Investment Summit 2026 takes place at a time when the global economy is undergoing rapid transformations driven by geopolitical shifts, emerging technologies, evolving trade patterns and the energy transition. He highlighted that the summit’s significance lies in its ability to bring together leaders, investors, policymakers, entrepreneurs and innovators from approximately 191 countries and international organisations to exchange insights, explore investment opportunities and build partnerships that advance cooperation and growth.

HH Al Qasimi said that the UAE has built a development model founded on openness to the world, investment in infrastructure, human capital and entrepreneurship, and strengthened connections between markets, cultures and peoples. He noted that the UAE, under the vision and leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, continues to consolidate its position as a global hub for trade, investment and international cooperation, with continued progress in renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, logistics, digital technologies and artificial intelligence.

HH Al Qasimi observed that Ras Al Khaimah, through planning and trust-based partnerships, has succeeded in diversifying its economy to encompass manufacturing, tourism, logistics, real estate and emerging industries. He explained that the emirate’s business ecosystem includes more than 73,000 companies from over 100 countries, reflecting confidence in Ras Al Khaimah as a destination for business establishment, expansion and participation in a vibrant economy that is open to the world. He stressed that investors seek stability, transparency, reliable institutions and partners who honour their commitments, and that this is the environment Ras Al Khaimah has worked to establish in alignment with the UAE’s broader ambitions. He also pointed to Ras Al Khaimah’s tourism strategy, which aims to triple visitor numbers by 2030.

For his part, HE Al Zeyoudi stressed that the UAE has established its position as a global hub for trade and investment, underpinned by an open, agile and multi-partnership economy, advanced infrastructure, and a legislative and regulatory environment that supports business. He said the AIM Investment Summit 2026, held under the theme ‘Reshaping Global Prosperity: Opening New Investment Pathways Towards a Sustainable and Inclusive Future’, convenes at a time when the global economy is undergoing rapid transformations driven by technological development, geopolitical realignments, the acceleration of sustainability efforts and the emergence of new growth centres across regions.

He explained that the UAE prepared early for these transformations and has continued to develop an economic model built on openness and international partnerships, noting that the country’s non-oil foreign trade exceeded AED 1.9 trillion during the first half of 2026. He added that during 2025, the UAE attracted FDI inflows of US$48.3 billion, advancing to ninth place globally among the largest destinations for foreign direct investment, while the cumulative stock of FDI in the country exceeded AED 1.17 trillion.

He underscored the importance of investing in future sectors, foremost among them artificial intelligence, clean energy, climate technology, food and water security, and sustainable infrastructure. He stressed that the UAE offers investors a global platform for growth, expansion and market access, and emphasised the importance of building long-term partnerships that contribute to the transfer of knowledge and technology, create employment opportunities and promote sustainable and inclusive growth.

For his part, His Excellency President Taye Atseki Selassie of Ethiopia expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, as well as to the government and people of the UAE for their hospitality and warm welcome.

President Selassie highlighted that Ethiopia and Africa offer promising investment opportunities across five key sectors: clean energy, agriculture, critical minerals, infrastructure and strategic corridors, and human capital. He explained that Ethiopia holds substantial renewable energy potential of approximately 60,000 megawatts and aims to reach 13,000 megawatts of installed capacity by 2030, in addition to allocating approximately 1,000 megawatts to data centres and mining projects.

He noted that the African Continental Free Trade Area unifies a market of approximately 1.3 billion people with a combined GDP exceeding US$3.4 trillion, and highlighted major projects underway in Ethiopia, including a new international airport valued at US$12.5 billion with a target capacity of 110 million passengers and approximately 4 million tonnes of cargo annually. President Selassie stressed that the continent’s young population represents a strategic asset for development and innovation, and expressed his country’s appreciation for the UAE’s role in supporting human development in Ethiopia, particularly through the ‘5 Million Coders’ initiative.

The inauguration of the summit marks the start of three days of intensive engagement across the business community, designed to deliver tangible and measurable outcomes by connecting institutional capital with emerging opportunities, forging strategic partnerships and opening new pathways for cross-border investment.

Dawood Al Shezawi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of AIM International, said that the launch of the AIM Investment Summit 2026 comes amid the accelerating movement of global capital towards new markets and investment opportunities capable of generating transformative impact and sustainable value. He added that the summit brings together decision-makers, investors, capital managers, corporate leaders and innovators over three days to identify the next global growth zones, assess the evolving investment landscape and pinpoint promising sectors and markets.

Media Contact
Marina Mounir William
marina.mounir@strategicinfinity.com

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

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AIM 2026

Annual Investment Meeting 2026

AIM 2026

Annual Investment Meeting 2026