Brief

Dubai hosts RISE Summit 2026 to chart shifting global investment trends

The summit highlighted new capital flows, AI‑driven spending and the UAE’s drive toward a more productive economy by 2027.

By Felo News Desk · Published Thu, 15 Oct 2026 03:06:04 GMT

RISE Summit 2026 convened at the Dubai World Trade Centre on 14 October under the theme “Recharging Momentum in Global Economies”, bringing together investors, policymakers and industry leaders to discuss how shifting investment priorities are reshaping markets, according to Gulf News.

UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri opened the event with a session titled “From Resilience to Opportunity in a Realigning World”. He warned that the domestic economy will look markedly different by 2027, emphasizing a move toward higher productivity.

The summit’s Global Leaders Series began with José Manuel Barroso, chairman of International Advisors at Goldman Sachs and former European Commission president, who described a “great capital shift”. Barroso said geopolitical realignment and a scientific‑technological revolution are changing where capital can be deployed safely, pointing to energy, infrastructure, technology and defence as key sectors. He added that while the United States will remain central because of the dollar’s dominance, investors will seek diversification away from heavy US exposure, noting the Gulf’s strategic role in linking new investment destinations.

Ludovic Subran, group chief investment officer and chief economist at Allianz, followed with a talk on “Long‑Term Capital in a Higher‑Rate World”. He highlighted the impact of rising interest rates on institutional investors and warned that AI‑driven capital expenditure, especially in data‑centre projects, is sustaining growth but may mask broader caution in the economy. Subran questioned whether the United States can maintain its momentum into 2027.

Other sessions explored new urban growth models and the UAE’s broader economic transformation, linking the summit’s themes to recent domestic trends such as a sharp slowdown in property launches and a 12‑plus‑percent drop in Dubai apartment rents reported earlier this month.

Key facts

RISE Summit 2026 was held on 14 October at Dubai World Trade Centre. (gulfnews.com)
Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri said the UAE aims for a more productive economy by 2027. (gulfnews.com)
José Manuel Barroso warned of a fundamental shift in global capital allocation, stressing diversification and the Gulf’s role. (gulfnews.com)
Ludovic Subran highlighted AI‑driven investment and rising interest rates as key concerns for institutional investors. (gulfnews.com)