Investopia 2025 reviews sustainable strategies, financing capabilities to develop circular economic models

The 2025 Investopia summit featured eight key panel discussions within the "Dialogue" segment, drawing participation from over 26 speakers. Additionally, on the second day of the summit, the Investopia "Community" segment hosted five roundtables, gathering leading investors, senior government officials, policymakers, businesses, and entrepreneurs from across the globe. This diverse participation fostered a rich exchange of ideas and perspectives.

The panel discussions covered several critical topics, focusing on the latest global and local trends in areas such as the circular economy, family offices, innovation and entrepreneurship, and sustainable investment strategies. Participants emphasized the importance of adopting innovative economic models, achieving convergence between the public and private sectors, and strengthening strategic partnerships to address current environmental and economic challenges, while highlighting the UAE's experience in reducing waste, enhancing sustainability, and improving resource efficiency. The discussions underscored the need for collaborative efforts to drive progress.

The second day's agenda of the Investopia Dialogue included a session titled "Black Swans and Grey Rhinos: Policies and Strategies in an Uncertain World," where His Excellency Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Chairman of Investopia, and His Excellency Jean-Pierre Raffarin, former Prime Minister of France, shared their insights. The session focused on how governments and the private sector can respond to unexpected events that significantly impact the global economy. Their perspectives provided valuable guidance for navigating uncertain times.

During the session, H.E. Bin Touq spoke about the unexpected challenges that may affect the global economic landscape, including geopolitical risks, such as tensions between China and Taiwan, and the impact of advanced technologies and new artificial intelligence applications. He emphasized that economies must adapt and enhance their preparedness for these developments and challenges through flexibility, economic diversification, supporting emerging industries, and stimulating innovation. H.E. stated, "Many risks and challenges may turn into opportunities if a proactive vision is adopted and flexible economic policies are developed that can anticipate future trends." This forward-thinking approach is essential for sustainable growth.

H.E. Bin Touq also highlighted the importance of developing strategies to address crises and pandemics that may lead to severe and sudden economic impacts. He added that understanding the best ways to respond to such crises, particularly by enhancing the flexibility of trade and supply chains during crises and pandemics, is crucial. The capacity of governments and the business sector to address such challenges should be enhanced through financial flexibility and sound economic knowledge. Building resilience is paramount for weathering unforeseen events.

H.E. Bin Touq also pointed out that international cooperation and the exchange of knowledge and best practices are important in addressing the effects of the global debt crisis, which is affecting the global economic reality. H.E. stated, "In order to reduce inflation, interest rates were raised, and this trend negatively affected the private sector, which already suffers from large debts. It is important to work to reduce interest rates in the coming years to provide more opportunities and capabilities for the growth of the private sector and the business community." Lowering interest rates could stimulate economic activity and investment.

Meanwhile, H.E. Raffarin spoke about the tensions facing today's global economy due to geopolitical and economic risks and variables, including the war in Europe, the new tariffs announced by the new US administration, and China's economic policies, noting that many of today's challenges are unpredictable. H.E. explained the importance of openness and cooperation in establishing new regulatory frameworks for trade and investment, as well as the importance of cooperating with the United States and China in this regard. H.E. emphasized that climate change, environmental protection, and sustainable development paths should be adopted as an international consensus and a global common vision from Europe to the UAE, China, India, and other countries and societies. He called on the United States of America to return to climate agreements. A unified global approach is necessary to address these pressing issues.

To emphasize the importance of entrepreneurship in supporting the global economy, a session titled "Leading the Future: Innovation and Entrepreneurship as Pillars of Economic Growth" was held, with the participation of Her Excellency Alia Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of State for Entrepreneurship Affairs, and Her Excellency Dr. Jelena Begović, Minister of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia.

The session focused on the role of national policies in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship to build resilient economies in the face of rapid global changes, in addition to focusing on developing an environment that supports innovation by facilitating financing, providing incentives, and strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors. These collaborative efforts are vital for fostering a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.

H.E. Alia Al Mazrouei explained that the UAE has a flexible legislative and regulatory environment, which contributes to providing all the capabilities and opportunities for entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized business owners. The country provides many opportunities for young entrepreneurs and has launched many initiatives in this regard, including the launch of the Emirates Youth Entrepreneurship Council. This is a key milestone in enhancing the competitiveness of the national economy and providing more capabilities and opportunities for Emirati entrepreneurs. These initiatives aim to empower the next generation of business leaders.

Furthermore, H.E. Al Mazrouei explained that the UAE attaches great importance to integrating artificial intelligence into the country's main economic sectors, with the aim of increasing the contribution of artificial intelligence to the country's GDP to 14% by 2030, equivalent to 96 billion dirhams. These goals are driven by a range of incentives provided by the country at all levels – whether in establishing and launching businesses, attracting and retaining entrepreneurial talent, or developing the country's infrastructure and legislation, which contributes to making the country a vibrant entrepreneurial hub on a global scale. This strategic focus on AI is expected to drive significant economic growth.

H.E. Jelena Begović stated: "Serbia aims to become a major center for biotechnology and artificial intelligence in Europe through several important measures, such as enrolling more than 4,000 graduate students in this field. We are also integrating artificial intelligence applications into the country's primary education to strengthen this strategic direction." She pointed out that the future of legislation related to artificial intelligence is one of the biggest challenges we currently face, calling for the development of strict laws and ethics for the use of artificial intelligence. Addressing these challenges is crucial for responsible AI development.

In a session titled "The Future of the Circular Economy: Global Perspectives and the UAE's Path Forward," Massimo Mocio, Deputy Head of Corporate and Investment Banking at Intesa Sanpaolo, and Jochen Hanebeck, CEO of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, discussed the importance of the business community's transition to a circular economy.

Massimo Mocio praised the significant progress made by the UAE in the field of the circular economy, noting that companies that care about the circular economy are now more able to mitigate risks, especially those related to debt repayment. He reviewed Intesa Sanpaolo's sustainable investment and environmental initiatives financing programs, including making huge investments in green steel production. He also highlighted several partnerships that the bank has concluded with the UAE, including cooperation with the Ministry of Economy to finance startups in the circular economy field. These partnerships are essential for driving innovation and sustainability.

Massimo Mocio stated: "The UAE's recent announcement of plans to invest $40 billion in key sectors of the Italian economy, as well as the recent memorandum of understanding signed with Intesa Sanpaolo to accelerate the UAE's transition to a circular economy, reflects the two countries' shared commitment to promoting sustainable development and green economic growth. Intesa Sanpaolo is committed to continuing to support the construction and financing of local circular economy projects, leveraging the 8 billion euros in circular credit provided in the 2022-2025 action plan." This commitment demonstrates a strong focus on sustainable economic development.

Jochen Hanebeck highlighted the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's strategy, which focuses on the circular economy and sustainability by supporting more than 200 companies involved in various circular model fields, such as fashion, food, plastics, and packaging industries, noting that the Foundation has launched several initiatives in this regard, including the "Food Challenge" initiative. It involves technical agriculture, with the participation of more than 400 companies, in accordance with environmental diversity, soil quality, and environmental sustainability standards. These initiatives aim to promote sustainable practices across various industries.

Family offices participated in a panel discussion at the 2025 Investopia Summit titled "Family Businesses: Cornerstones of Economic Development." Khaled Al Fahim, Board Member of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Paul Desmarais III, Chairman and CEO of Sagard, and Paulina Jakubec, Managing Director of Jakubec Family Office Group, attended the session.

The session focused on the role of family businesses in achieving economic stability and sustainable development, especially in developing emerging industries such as artificial intelligence, agricultural technology, and sustainable tourism, which makes them key drivers of local and global economic growth. The session reviewed the long-term investment strategies adopted by family businesses, which aim to diversify their economies and be flexible in making investment decisions. The session also discussed the most prominent challenges facing family businesses in the process of generational transfer, highlighting the importance of good governance and strategic planning to ensure the sustainability of this investment model. Addressing these challenges is crucial for long-term success.

Khaled Al Fahim highlighted the challenges facing third-generation family businesses, noting that this generation often faces differences and changes in ideas and business culture, and family businesses must keep pace with this change, develop their strategies, and be more flexible in order to withstand pressures and continue for future generations. Adapting to changing times is essential for family businesses to thrive.

Paulina Jakubec pointed out the challenges that technology and artificial intelligence pose to family businesses for several successive generations, pointing out the importance of achieving balance, self-learning, and continuous learning for family business owners, as well as the transfer and integration of experiences between generations. Continuous learning and adaptation are key to navigating the challenges of the modern business landscape.

His Excellency George Papanastasiou, Minister of Energy, Trade and Industry of the Republic of Cyprus, and His Excellency Frédéric Genta, Minister of Digital Transition of the Principality of Monaco, participated in a session on "European Specialized Economies: Unleashing the Growth Potential of Small Markets with Strategic Significance."

The session discussed how small European economies such as Cyprus and Monaco can achieve sustainable growth by focusing on high-value industries and investing in technology and research and development. Strategic investments are crucial for driving economic growth in these specialized economies.

H.E. Papanastasiou reviewed Cyprus's ability to support the economy and promote investment through its superior geographical location between Europe, Africa, and the Middle East; developing economic legislation that enhances its economic flexibility and vitality; focusing on supporting education and talent, and investing heavily in artificial intelligence until it becomes a distinguished destination for European talent. H.E. also pointed out that Europe is working to accelerate the transition to a green economy and clean energy while maintaining the competitiveness of the industrial sector. Cyprus is strategically positioning itself as a hub for innovation and talent.

Meanwhile, H.E. Frédéric Genta reviewed the economic and investment opportunities in the Principality of Monaco, focusing on the education, database, and technology sectors. He explained that the Principality has invested $10 billion in the technology sector. Monaco's focus on technology and education is driving its economic growth.

A session titled "Unicorns of the Region: Driving Growth and Innovation in the New Economy" brought together prominent entrepreneurs, including Michael Lahyani, Founder and CEO of Property Finder Group, Toufic Kreidieh, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of BFL Group, and Dino Varkey, CEO of GEMS Education, and was moderated by Dr. Jean Fares, CEO of Investopia.

The panelists discussed the role of unicorn companies in the UAE and the region in expanding their businesses globally, as well as their strategies for attracting investment and promoting innovation in sectors such as retail, education, technology, and digital infrastructure. These companies are playing a crucial role in driving economic growth and innovation.

Dino Varkey explained that the choice of the UAE as the group's headquarters was due to several reasons, most notably its position as a global trade corridor and a major destination for attracting ambitious talent from around the world, thanks to the vision of the country's wise leadership. Varkey pointed out that the UAE is one of the fastest countries to invest in the private education sector, explaining that it occupies a global position in this field, which enhances investment opportunities in the education infrastructure. The UAE's strategic location and investment in education are attracting global talent and investment.

Varkey added: "The world faces a challenge of 70 million teachers, whether in traditional or digital education, which makes focusing on the quality of school teachers essential to achieving sustainable development goals." Investing in teacher quality is crucial for achieving sustainable development in education.

Varkey emphasized that traditional education remains everyone's preferred choice compared to digital education. Meanwhile, Michael Lahyani, Founder and CEO of Property Finder Group, explained that the UAE's real estate sector is witnessing significant development due to the adoption of modern technological solutions and technology. He stressed the importance of integrating artificial intelligence into the real estate buying and selling process, believing that those who do not adopt these technologies will find themselves far behind in this field. Embracing technology is essential for success in the evolving real estate market.

Toufic Kreidieh confirmed that his company chose the UAE because it provides strong infrastructure, flexible legislation that supports entrepreneurship, and an environment that stimulates the growth of emerging companies. He pointed out that artificial intelligence is not a substitute for humans, but rather accelerates the pace of growth and creates new opportunities in the business world, adding that concepts such as "sustainability" have become key in the unicorn world. He added that his group was able to achieve rapid growth starting from the UAE and expand in the GCC region, and has ambitions to expand globally and add new economic value. The UAE's supportive environment is fostering the growth of innovative companies.

In a session titled "What are the New Trends in Private Equity Investment? Strategies, Opportunities, and Risks," Khalil Charles Massoud, Chief Investment Officer of Alpha Dhabi Holding, Jad El-Helou, Head of Brookfield Middle East, Rishi Kapoor, Vice Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of Investcorp, and May Nasrallah, CEO of PJT deNovo, participated.

During the discussion, the speakers reviewed the latest developments in the private equity sector, strategies for adapting to current market conditions, and the impact of geopolitical and economic changes on investment. They discussed the latest trends in the private equity sector, focusing on sustainable investment and the role of technology in improving efficiency and profitability. Participants also highlighted the importance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, the importance of portfolio diversification, and the importance of improving companies' risk management. These factors are crucial for successful private equity investments.

In this regard, Khalil Massoud stated that economies need more foreign investment and strive to attract more liquidity to ensure the sustainability of national economies, while Rishi Kapoor stated: "The UAE economy is characterized by continuous diversification, which is due to the significant growth of the small and medium-sized enterprises sector, a pioneering legislative environment, and global infrastructure, which contribute to transforming the UAE into a regional business center in the Gulf region, as well as one of the most important markets in the world for establishing businesses." The UAE's diversified economy and supportive environment are attracting significant investment.

May Nasrallah stated: "The Middle East is one of the most important economic regions in the world because it has succeeded in attracting large investments over the past 20 years, especially the Gulf region, which is transforming into a major economic force represented by many important economic markets, the most important of which is the UAE." Jad El-Helou pointed out during the session that developing company exit processes starts first with the strength of the company and its assets. A strong foundation is essential for successful exit strategies.

Another session titled "Unlocking Investment Opportunities in Africa" brought together Her Excellency Manuela Santos, Minister of Industry and Investment Promotion of the Republic of Togo, and Her Excellency Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment of Nigeria, to explore strategic investment opportunities and economic growth prospects in Africa, highlighting national priorities, industry opportunities, and policy frameworks that can enhance trade and investment flows across the continent, with a focus on how governments can promote private sector participation, address regulatory challenges, and promote sustainable development in Africa. Promoting investment in Africa is crucial for driving economic growth and development.

H.E. Dr. Jumoke Oduwole explained the investment opportunities in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, stating that its economy focuses on the non-oil economy, which is one aspect it shares with the UAE, as well as other aspects such as interest in the circular economy, renewable energy, and sustainability. These shared interests provide opportunities for collaboration and partnership.

H.E. reviewed the capabilities of the Republic of Nigeria, including its free zones and strong legislation, which guarantees good investment and represents a means of attracting investors. Nigeria excels in the field of digital commerce in Africa and called for partnerships and cooperation in this field, stating that the Investopia summit is an effective platform. Meanwhile, H.E. Manuela Santos praised the promising investment opportunities in the Republic of Togo, stating that it has the largest renewable solar energy plant, and Togo is seeking to diversify its energy sources, focusing on other industries such as agriculture and construction, and Togo seeks to benefit from the UAE in the fields of tourism, technology, and renewable energy. Collaboration and knowledge sharing are essential for driving sustainable development in Africa.

The second day of the 2025 Investopia Summit also featured five roundtable sessions under the theme of the Investopia Community. The sessions discussed a range of important economic and investment issues, addressing the future of the UAE's hospitality sector, the circular economy, artificial intelligence, and global investment, with the participation of a group of leaders, policymakers, investors, and experts. The sessions also discussed the factors that drive investors to choose between artificial intelligence developers, how investors manage the risks associated with advanced technologies, and global business trends that enhance cross-border investment flows. These discussions provided valuable insights into key economic and investment trends.