Abu Dhabi’s inaugural Livability and Investment Exhibition (LIVEX 2026) is set to bring together more than 100 international speakers from government, technology, media, climate and investment sectors as the emirate highlights its approach to creating future-ready and livable communities.
The three-day exhibition will take place at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi from September 29 to October 1, 2026. Among the first speakers confirmed are actor and entrepreneur Ryan Reynolds, YouTube co-founder Steve Chen and media personality Tucker Carlson. They will be joined by former city mayors Anne Hidalgo, Enrique Peñalosa and Sally Capp AO.
The event will examine how cities can enhance quality of life while attracting talent, investment and sustainable economic growth. It will bring together policymakers, investors, business leaders and other stakeholders to discuss the future of urban development and livability.
A dedicated Investors Lounge will operate throughout the exhibition in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office and Mubadala. Their investor services and platform teams will be available during the three-day event to engage with participants and investors.
Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, said that livability is increasingly important in attracting investment, talent and long-term economic growth. He highlighted Abu Dhabi’s focus on creating an environment where economic opportunities and quality of life can develop together.
LIVEX 2026 will showcase Abu Dhabi’s experience in combining urban development with quality of life. The emirate has been recognised as the most livable city in the Middle East and North Africa in Mercer’s Quality of Living Survey for seven consecutive years, while Numbeo’s Safety Index has ranked Abu Dhabi as the world’s safest city for ten consecutive years.
Organisers expect the exhibition to attract around 20,000 visitors, more than 40 exhibitors and participants from over 50 countries.
Community Initiatives Ahead of LIVEX 2026
In the lead-up to the exhibition, a travelling public installation will move across Abu Dhabi for five weeks, giving residents an opportunity to share stories, experiences and ideas about what makes the emirate a highly livable city.
A Community Tour will also encourage residents to explore Abu Dhabi by bicycle, travelling through key districts and public spaces. The initiative will highlight the city’s mobility networks, active lifestyles and connected communities.
Children across Abu Dhabi are participating in another initiative, Imagine What’s Next. The creative programme asks children to imagine what they would add to their neighbourhoods if they could introduce one magical feature. Selected artwork will form part of a digital mural and will be displayed at LIVEX 2026.
International Speakers to Join LIVEX 2026
The initial speaker lineup represents a wide range of fields and includes Ryan Reynolds, actor, producer and entrepreneur; Anne Hidalgo, former Mayor of Paris; Enrique Peñalosa, former Mayor of Bogotá; and Sally Capp AO, former Lord Mayor of Melbourne.
Other confirmed speakers include Christiana Figueres, former Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change; Steve Chen, co-founder of YouTube; Sebastian Thrun, founder of Udacity and former leader of Google’s self-driving car programme; Adrien Grenier, actor and environmental advocate; and Tucker Carlson, founder of the Tucker Carlson Network.
With its focus on livability, investment and urban development, LIVEX 2026 is positioned as a platform for international leaders and decision-makers to exchange ideas on how cities can become more sustainable, connected and attractive places to live, work and invest.
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