Dubai International Financial Centre and the International Private Equity Market convened the first IPEM Future Preview in Dubai, bringing senior leaders from sovereign wealth funds, global investment firms, and regional growth and venture platforms into a closed-door forum on the future of private capital. Hosted at DIFC, the gathering marked the first time IPEM has staged such an event in the region and underscored Dubai’s growing role as a hub for global investors seeking long-term capital deployment.
Participants focused on how private markets are evolving after recent volatility, with discussions centered on “transformative capital” - investments that aim to combine financial returns with long-term strategic value. Investors highlighted increasing interest in sectors such as artificial intelligence, data infrastructure, and climate innovation, reflecting confidence in Dubai’s institutional framework, macroeconomic fundamentals, and access to new liquidity pools.
Executives noted that global investors are committing more capital and operational presence to regional financial centers such as DIFC, viewing Dubai as a stable platform for scaling investment into emerging and frontier markets. Insights from the discussions aligned with DIFC’s broader Future of Finance work, which positions the emirate as a jurisdiction where long-duration capital and high-growth opportunity reinforce one another.
The outcomes of the Preview will inform the agenda for the inaugural IPEM Future Dubai, scheduled for May 13–14, 2026, during Dubai Future Finance Week. That event is expected to further consolidate Dubai’s standing as a convening point for global private markets and long-term capital strategy in the MEASA region.
Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office
Alexander Agafiev Macambira is former tech contributing writer for Forbes Monaco.
Alexander Agafiev Macambira
