MEIRA Conference and Awards Gears up 16th Edition in Abu Dhabi

The Middle East Investor Relations Association (MEIRA) is gearing up to host the MEIRA Annual Conference & Awards in Abu Dhabi. Hosted in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), the event promises to bring together over 600 attendees, with more than 50 speakers across 10 sessions.  Arriving in Abu Dhabi for the first time on 11 to 12 December 2024, the MEIRA event is focused on the theme ‘Bridging Opportunities: Accelerating IR in the Middle Eastern Capital Markets’. The 16th edition of this annual event will cover cross-exchange trading, global market dynamics, ESG, Islamic finance, and regional growth. MEIRA also revealed that attendees will gain access to 18 workshops covering themes such as AI-driven stakeholder communication, integrated reporting, navigating regulatory compliance and digital transformation in IR among others. This year’s conference is headlined by ADNOC Group as the main sponsor, Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) and Smart Media as the strategic sponsors, with additional sponsorship from the likes of HSBC, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Emirates NBD, Goldman Sachs, Riyad Bank, Nasdaq, London Stock Exchange (LSE), and other top-tier companies and advisors from the regional and international markets. Khaled Al Zaabi, group chief financial officer at ADNOC, commented: “ADNOC Group, along with our six listed operating companies, is proud to participate in the upcoming MEIRA conference, reaffirming our commitment to transparency, investor engagement, and the highest standards of corporate governance. This event serves as an invaluable platform to showcase our strategic achievements, elaborate on our growth opportunities, demonstrate the value on offer across our ecosystem, as we continue to drive sustainable value for our investors.”

Bolstering regional investment 

The MEIRA event is now broadening its focus, actively engaging both buy-side and sell-side professionals, and expanding beyond traditional IR officers. This edition also introduces corporate access, offering MEIRA members direct connections with international and local buy-side through pre-scheduled meetings. Abdulla Salem AlNuaimi, group CEO at ADX, also commented: “ADX looks forward to hosting the 2024 MEIRA Conference in Abu Dhabi, plays our part in supporting the advancement of the UAE, and wider Middle East Capital Markets ecosystem. As a global listing platform, connecting listed companies with international and local buy-side investors is one of our ongoing efforts to foster closer market engagement and bolster the development of these companies. “We will continue to collaborate with our Exchanges and industry partners to unlock more investment opportunities and innovative services to enable issuers and investors to achieve their growth ambitions and investment needs.” As the regional capital markets attract more global attention, Paolo Casamassima, CEO of MEIRA, also highlighted: “The MEIRA Annual Conference & Awards plays a crucial role in the development of IR in the region, and this year’s edition is poised to deliver greater impact, being held in one of the world’s most dynamic and rapidly growing financial hubs. The conference has been designed to provide a comprehensive exploration of the challenges and opportunities facing IR professionals in the Middle East. The event will bring together a unique mix of regional and international experts, offering unparalleled insights and compelling opportunities for all participants.”