The AIM Congress 2025, held in Abu Dhabi from April 7 to 9, served as a major platform for global economic dialogue, drawing over 25,000 participants from 180 countries. Centered on investment-led growth, sustainable development, and technological progress, the event examined the future of global investment across key areas, including foreign direct investment, the digital economy, and future cities.

The opening ceremony, led by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi, the UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade, set the tone for the congress. He pointed to the country’s $22.3 billion in international investments in 2023—spanning infrastructure, renewable energy, education, and healthcare—as a reflection of its drive to support sustainable global economic growth.

A CALL FOR ACTION

A key focus of the event was the call to tackle today’s pressing socio-economic challenges. World leaders, including Vahagn Garniki Khachaturyan, President of Armenia, and Denis Sassou Nguesso, President of the Republic of Congo, highlighted the vital role of innovation, education, and responsible investment in shaping a more sustainable and inclusive global economy.

They called for a united effort to address poverty, inequality, and sustainable development while highlighting their nations’ potential as emerging investment destinations. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary General of the League of Arab States, urged Arab countries to harness their youthful populations to drive economic growth. Judith Suminwa Tuluka, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, positioned the DRC as a vital player in advancing global sustainability.

Other prominent figures, such as Rustam Minnikhanov, Head of Tatarstan, and Sheikh Ebrahim bin Khalifa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, discussed strategies for inclusive growth and the critical role of youth development, particularly in emerging economies. Günther Oettinger, former Vice President of the European Commission, warned of the risks of global trade wars, calling for a return to a stable, rules-based globalization.

STRENGTHENING ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIPS

In line with the congress’s focus on strengthening global economic partnerships, the UAE and China reaffirmed their commitment to mutual economic cooperation during the “Invest in China, Guangxi” session. The session, held in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Government of Guangxi, China, highlighted Guangxi’s strategic location and its potential as a gateway to sustainable growth.

Additionally, the session saw the formalization of a strategic partnership between Phoenix New Media and the China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT), which aims to expand CIFIT’s global reach and create new benchmarks for international investment collaboration.

Further showcasing the UAE’s growing influence in global industries, Globalpharma, a leading UAE pharmaceutical manufacturer, announced its collaboration with India’s ZIM Laboratories to add drug technology to its portfolio. This highlights the UAE’s role as a hub for global healthcare innovation.

INNOVATIONS OF THE FUTURE

The AIM Congress 2025 also featured innovations in the future cities and mobility sectors. SEE Holding introduced its vision for the next-generation city, The Sustainable City 2.0 (TSC 2.0)—a human-centric, AI-driven, net-zero urban environment. The city integrates advanced technologies such as vertical farms, clean energy production from renewable sources, intelligent grids for net-zero emissions, and water conservation systems that optimize resources and capture water from the air.

Meanwhile, the mobility sector took center stage with PAL-V’s presentation of the PAL-V Liberty, the world’s first FlyDrive vehicle. The PAL-V Liberty promises to transform transportation by addressing challenges such as traffic congestion and intercity travel delays. As the vehicle nears aviation certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), its integration into the UAE’s advanced mobility infrastructure signals a new era in transportation solutions.

AIM Congress 2025 highlighted the UAE’s ongoing focus on innovation and sustainable development, reinforcing efforts to strengthen global collaboration and explore how investment and technology can shape future growth.