Abu Dhabi is doubling down on its ambition to shape the future of cities, with the Abu Dhabi Projects and Infrastructure Centre confirming the return of the Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit (ADIS) from May 12 to 14, 2026.

Held at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, the second edition of the summit arrives with an expanded format, reflecting growing global demand for scalable, sustainable urban development and a clear shift from vision to execution.

Under the theme Urban Evolution: Rethinking Cities, Redefining How We Live, ADIS 2026 will bring together policymakers, global CEOs, investors, and developers to address one of the defining challenges of the next decade: building cities that are not only smarter and greener but also more livable.

The summit is anchored by Abu Dhabi’s $57 billion infrastructure pipeline, spanning transport, housing, education, and social infrastructure. The scale of this pipeline positions the emirate as a live case study in translating long-term urban ambition into measurable outcomes.

That focus on execution is already evident. In 2025 alone, ADPIC delivered 100 capital projects, highlighting Abu Dhabi’s ability to operate at scale while maintaining delivery timelines, an increasingly critical differentiator as cities worldwide struggle to keep pace with rapid urbanisation.

“ADIS is not just about what we plan to build, but how we deliver cities that place people at the centre,” said Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa. He pointed to integrated planning, advanced mobility, and infrastructure-led development as key pillars shaping Abu Dhabi’s urban model.

The urgency is global. With nearly 70% of the world’s population expected to live in urban areas by 2050, cities are under pressure to rethink how they design, finance, and deliver infrastructure. Abu Dhabi’s own growth trajectory reflects this shift, with its economy reaching AED325.7 billion in Q3 2025 and construction expanding by 13.9% year on year.

For Maysarah Mahmoud Eid, the summit is as much about collaboration as it is about showcasing progress. “Abu Dhabi’s pipeline is open to the world,” he said, positioning ADIS 2026 as a platform to connect global expertise with local delivery ambitions.

This year’s edition will go beyond the traditional conference format, introducing structured matchmaking, a dedicated exhibition, and deeper engagement across four themes: delivery-first infrastructure, urban wellbeing, smart solutions, and sustainability.

In a notable first, the summit will also host sessions in collaboration with the International Federation of Consulting Engineers, focusing on contracting standards, dispute resolution, and governance frameworks. This signals Abu Dhabi’s push to align with global best practices in project delivery.

International participation is also set to increase, with stronger engagement from markets such as Singapore, China, and Türkiye, building on earlier partnerships and deal-making momentum.

As cities compete not just on ambition but on execution, ADIS 2026 reflects a broader shift from planning the future to delivering it at speed, at scale, and with measurable impact.