The World Governments Summit 2026, in partnership with Dubai Chambers, hosted a roundtable discussion on how family investment portfolios can be future-proofed and how family businesses can scale their long-term social impact, philanthropic engagement, and community contributions.

The roundtable brought together government officials and more than 40 senior executives from local and international family businesses. The session was chaired by Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori, Chairman of Dubai Chambers.

During the discussion, Al Mansoori highlighted the role of family businesses as key drivers of social and economic development and influential players in global investment markets. He pointed to a structural shift in how family businesses operate and define their responsibilities.

He noted that family businesses are moving beyond a traditional focus on wealth preservation to help shape investment trends, support sustainable development, and build cross-border partnerships. This transition, he said, requires stronger institutional support, greater adaptability, and faster growth.

Al Mansoori urged family offices to adopt more agile operating models and updated governance structures to enhance performance, strengthen decision-making, and improve access to emerging markets. He also emphasised the growing role of the next generation in shaping investment strategies.

The discussion highlighted the role of the Dubai Centre for Family Businesses, under Dubai Chambers, in supporting continuity and competitiveness across generations. The centre provides integrated frameworks for governance, succession planning, and capacity building, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global hub for family enterprises.

Participants also noted that investment success is increasingly measured by social and environmental impact alongside financial returns, reflecting the rise of impact-driven philanthropy.

The first theme, titled “Philanthropy and the role of family business in society,” explored how family businesses can redefine corporate responsibility, expand social impact, and build long-term legacy value.

The session examined the evolving global philanthropy landscape amid rising intergenerational wealth transfers and a growing emphasis on sustainable outcomes, often referred to as impact-driven philanthropy, according to a PwC report.

Key priorities identified included strengthening family offices’ understanding of the legal and financial frameworks governing philanthropy, including tax considerations, and developing robust methods to measure the scale, effectiveness, and sustainability of social and environmental initiatives. Participants also stressed the need for clear governance frameworks and closer public-private cooperation to ensure alignment and consistency.

The second theme, “Governance and diversification in ensuring sustainable growth,” focused on emerging investment trends. PwC data showed that family businesses contributed $134 billion to Dubai’s GDP in 2024 under the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33).

Participants noted that expansion and diversification are reshaping capital allocation, with family offices increasingly investing across new sectors and asset classes, moving away from a purely wealth-preservation approach.

The growing use of “club deals” was also highlighted. PwC reported that such partnerships accounted for 69% of family office transactions in the first half of 2025, reflecting efforts to manage risk while pursuing larger investment opportunities.

The session also underscored the expanding role of Middle East family businesses in global venture capital and partnership activity. UAE family offices completed around $3 billion in venture capital investments in the first half of 2025, ranking behind only the United States and the United Kingdom.

Participants concluded by emphasising the need for governance models capable of managing globally diversified portfolios and enabling regular reviews of asset allocation in line with evolving investment objectives.