The 14th edition of the AIM Congress concluded yesterday at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). Held under the theme "Mapping the Future of Global Investment: The New Wave of a Globalized Investment Landscape - Towards a New Balanced World Structure," the three-day event brought together over 15,000 participants from 180 countries, witnessing a profound shift in the global investment discourse. The Congress hosted more than 350 sessions featuring over 1,000 global speakers, including heads of state, ministers, heads of international organizations, and top decision-makers from leading global corporations.

High-Level Endorsement: The Vision of UAE Leadership

The unwavering commitment of the UAE's leadership set a powerful tone for the Congress. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, affirmed: "Human beings, their ideas, innovations, dreams, and connections, are the capital of the future. Because where great minds go today, great things will follow tomorrow." This statement succinctly captured the core spirit of the Congress: in an era of technological disruption and geopolitical realignment, human creativity and cross-border collaboration are the fundamental drivers of prosperity.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, further elaborated on the nation's development philosophy: "The UAE's commitment to sustainability, environmental stewardship, and renewable energy builds upon its rich legacy of backing global endeavours and initiatives that champion sustainable development and global economic prosperity." His words highlighted the underlying logic of the UAE's role as host—enhancing national resilience through economic diversification while building an open global platform for investment dialogue.

The presence of His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and President of the Presidential Court, and His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, further underscored the leadership's recognition of the AIM Congress as a vital global investment barometer.

Global Leaders' Debate: A Convergence of Diverse Perspectives

During the Global Leaders' Debate, six policymakers and thought leaders from different continents engaged in a profound dialogue on geopolitics, technological innovation, and sustainable development, painting a diverse yet cohesive picture of the global investment landscape.

H.E. Rustam Minnikhanov, Rais (Head) of the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, stated: "Our partnerships with Muslim countries are strong and growing. With Kazan set to become the Cultural Capital of the Islamic World in 2026, we look forward to deepening these ties through innovation and shared prosperity." He emphasized the unique value of regional partnerships and cultural ties in promoting investment.

Madame Le Thi Thu Thuy, Vice Chairwoman of Vingroup and Executive Chairwoman of the Board of Directors at VinFast Auto Ltd, Vietnam, offered a corporate perspective: "We are optimizing for the future—both administratively and economically." Her remarks reflected the strategic thinking of emerging market corporations actively positioning themselves within global value chains.

H.E. Judith Suminwa Tuluka, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, positioned her nation at the unique intersection of natural resources and climate responsibility: "Our diversity, our minerals, and our role in the climate conversation uniquely position us on the global stage." Her words captured the dual identity of resource-rich African nations in the era of energy transition.

H.E. Günther Oettinger, former Prime Minister of Baden-Württemberg and former Vice President of the European Commission, analyzed opportunities from a traditional capital-exporting region: "The UAE and broader Arab region are strategic bridges between continents and hold vast potential for European investors—particularly in sectors like renewable energy, ICT, pharmaceuticals, and automotive."

H.E. Sheikh Ebrahim bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the International Centre for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Bahrain, issued a call to action: "What we need now is commitment, cooperation, and a shared vision to ensure a sustainable and inclusive future for all." His words directly addressed the core challenges and pathways of global governance.

H.E. Hojamyrat Geldimyradov, Vice Prime Minister and Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, provided a philosophical conclusion: "In a world defined by transformation, stability comes through proactive dialogue, mutual respect, and diversified cooperation."

Head-of-State Addresses: National Visions for Development

In his keynote address, H.E. Vahagn Khachaturyan, President of the Republic of Armenia, systematically outlined the strategic choices for his nation within the new global investment landscape. He noted: "Global power dynamics are changing, and with them, new opportunities are emerging—opportunities that we must seize to shape a prosperous future for all." He particularly emphasized infrastructure, creative technologies, and education as core strategic investment sectors: "Investing in infrastructure is not just about physical structures—it's about creating the foundation for sustainable economic growth." President Khachaturyan revealed that the Armenian government is supporting AI development and building infrastructure for the new technological era, creating hubs and clubs to foster robotics, AI, and other cutting-edge technologies. He also reminded the international community of the need to address poverty, human rights violations, and inequality, stressing the importance of simplifying investment procedures and maintaining an open and stable investment ecosystem.

President of the Republic of the Congo, H.E. Denis Sassou Nguesso, painted a picture of resource endowment combined with a transformative vision from the heart of Africa. He stated: "By 2050, we aim to transform the lives of 2 million inhabitants, providing them with greater access to opportunities and improved living conditions. Congo's vast biodiversity, along with its rich natural resources, positions us as a key player in the global economy." President Sassou Nguesso detailed his country's strategic geographic location as a principal point of entry and exit for goods, possessing valuable resources such as gold, zinc, diamonds, petrol, and gas. He emphasized: "We are committed to turning our country into a center of transformation. This includes the modernization of our infrastructure, particularly through the development of hydroelectric and solar energy projects, which will ensure strong access to clean energy, sustainable energy that is vital for the future of our country and the world." He also highlighted the tremendous promise of the agriculture sector, calling on investors to view Congo as a "win-win" investment destination.

Ministerial Voices: Policy Frameworks and Regional Cooperation

H.E. Dr. Thani Bin Ahmed Alzeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade and President of the AIM Congress, painted a data-driven portrait of the UAE as a global "super-connector" of capital. He stated: "The UAE is now the 16th largest source of global FDI, with USD 22.3 billion invested in international projects in 2023 alone – projects that deliver renewable energy, infrastructure, education, and healthcare. That same year, we attracted USD 30.7 billion in FDI, ranking 11th globally." In logistics, AD Ports and DP World are transforming infrastructure across Asia, Africa, and beyond, with AD Ports committing USD 4 billion to expanding port capacity in countries such as Pakistan, Angola, and Kazakhstan, and DP World employing over 115,000 people worldwide, 27,000 of them in Africa. In clean energy, Masdar has invested over USD 50 billion across six continents. Dr. Alzeyoudi emphasized: "Our foreign trade program is forging economic bridges across the world, with 27 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements enabling joint ventures and expanded market access. Today, capital is following cargo. This is the UAE's investment model—identifying long-term opportunities in high-potential markets and transforming them into sustainable growth engines. It's more than a national strategy—it's a model for the world."

H.E. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary General of the League of Arab States, addressed the urgency of regional integration: "We find ourselves in a period of unprecedented global turbulence, one that calls to mind the first World War, a time marked by protectionism, armed conflict, and the rise of destructive ideologies. These circumstances demand that Arab nations focus on their national interests, strengthen their defenses, and prioritize cooperation within our region." He stressed the imperative of economic development: "We represent a region of great potential, with over 400 million people, many of whom are young and full of energy, ideas, and ambition. More than 60% of the Arab population is under the age of 30 – this represents an extraordinary opportunity." Aboul Gheit revealed that the League, in collaboration with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and other Gulf nations, is drafting a strategy for the Arab Investment Model (AIM) to align with global best practices. He urged: "By uniting our efforts, we can build a prosperous future for our region and the world."

High-Level Roundtables: Pragmatic Dialogue and Policy Coordination

A series of ministerial roundtables held during the Congress translated high-level consensus into concrete policy dialogue. At the "Finance Ministers and Heads of Central Banks' Roundtable: Challenges and Opportunities in a Multipolar World," participants delved into pressing issues such as the global interest rate environment, debt sustainability, and digital currency regulation. Ministers from emerging market economies emphasized the need to find a new equilibrium between capital flow volatility and expanding local currency financing channels.

The "Ministerial Roundtable on Investment" brought together heads of investment promotion agencies from Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America to share experiences on optimizing investment policies, streamlining approval processes, and enhancing investment facilitation. Several ministers noted that in an era of intensifying global FDI competition, policy certainty and transparency are more compelling than mere incentives.

The "City Mayors' Roundtable" shifted focus to the sub-national level, discussing how local-level innovation can attract global capital. Mayors shared practical cases in financing smart city projects, innovating public-private partnership models, and investing in climate-resilient urban infrastructure. The session particularly emphasized that cities, as the basic units of the global economy, are increasingly becoming the front line of international investment cooperation.

From the visionary guidance of UAE leadership, to the intellectual clash of global leaders, to the development blueprints of heads of state and the pragmatic dialogues of ministers, AIM Congress 2025 provided the global investment community with a high-density, high-quality intellectual feast, charting a roadmap towards a new balanced world structure. This marks not just the end of dialogue, but the beginning of action.