Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has been named the Best International Centre EMEA for the fourth consecutive year by Capital Finance International (CFI.co).
Driven by its robust regulatory ecosystem, ADGM aligns with Abu Dhabi’s economic goals and vision, bringing innovation, transformation and diversification to various key sectors by leveraging its strengths and introducing the progressive initiative. ADGM’s notable initiatives in 2022 have made it the fastest-growing international Finance Centre (IFC) in the Middle East.
In preparation for COP28, ADGM has begun to bolster guidelines and frameworks around sustainable finance, with a focus on environmental instruments and disclosures.
One such initiative has been the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of ADGM introducing an ‘environmental instrument’ as a class of financial instrument, an approach that has allowed carbon offsets to come under its regulatory umbrella. The innovative regulatory framework has allowed for the world’s first regulated voluntary carbon trading exchange and clearing house, AirCarbon Exchange (ACX), to be established within the IFC.
ADGM’s FSRA has also proposed a comprehensive sustainable finance regulatory framework, issued in November 2022, that provides a robust regulatory framework for sustainability-focused products and services, including rules on sustainability-orientated investment funds, managed portfolios and bonds. It also contains a framework for environmental disclosures by companies based in ADGM.
Dhaher Bin Dhaher Al Mheiri CEO ADGM Authority
“We are proud to be recognized as the Best International Financial Centre (EMEA) by the CFI.co judging panel and are grateful for this award. ADGM’s jurisdiction will continue to play the role of a catalyst in supporting Abu Dhabi’s efforts as the ‘capital of capital’ while also driving progress towards the rise of its sustainable falcon economy. With 2023 as the Year of Sustainability in the UAE, ADGM is committed to building a sustainable financial ecosystem that promotes collaboration between global players and regional opportunities. Our innovative regulatory framework and sustainable initiatives aim to support the UAE’s transition to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and reflect our dedication to unlocking critical infrastructure investments that advance these goals.”
ADGM’s proposed framework, which it will finalize in 2023, aims to enable accelerated growth of a sustainable finance ecosystem in the jurisdiction and support the UAE’s transition to net zero greenhouse gas emissions. ADGM understands the importance of mobilizing private finance to unlock critical infrastructure investment and advance net-zero goals to mitigate further climate catastrophes.
ESG and sustainable finance events such as the R.A.C.E (Regulation, Awareness, Collaboration, Ecosystem) event, part of Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) 2022 and the fifth edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum (ADSFF), held in mid-January 2023, promoted collaboration between world leaders, entrepreneurs and investors at local, regional and international level.
ADGM Academy and its partners have also launched an entrepreneurship initiative to establish an SME hub that provides national and expatriate talent with the tools, training and start-up accelerator programs that support the development of the tech ecosystem in Abu Dhabi.
The CFI.co judging panel has recognized ADGM in several awards programs and reaffirms its successes with the 2022 Best International Financial Centre (EMEA) award.
