Abu Dhabi has opened the inaugural LIVEX 2026 exhibition, bringing together major government entities, investors, developers and industry leaders as the emirate showcases projects and initiatives worth more than AED100 billion across several key sectors.
The Liveability and Investment Exhibition opened on 29 September 2026 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi and runs until 1 October.
According to Gulf News, LIVEX 2026 is welcoming more than 20,000 participants from 50 countries, including around 1,500 investors and more than 100 international speakers. The event includes 25 sessions focused on the future of cities, real estate, investment, artificial intelligence, mobility, sustainability and quality of life.
For Abu Dhabi property buyers and investors, LIVEX provides an important look at how the emirate’s wider infrastructure, community planning and investment strategy is developing alongside its real estate sector.
What Is LIVEX 2026 in Abu Dhabi?
LIVEX 2026 is the first edition of Abu Dhabi’s Liveability and Investment Exhibition, organised by the Department of Municipalities and Transport.
The exhibition was created as a platform connecting government leaders, investors, development institutions and industry specialists around the future of urban development.
Its focus extends beyond property development and includes:
- Real estate
- Transport and mobility
- Infrastructure
- Healthcare
- Education
- Technology and artificial intelligence
- Culture
- Sustainability
- Community development
DMT says LIVEX is intended to demonstrate Abu Dhabi’s approach to creating connected, inclusive and future-ready communities while supporting long-term economic and social value.
More Than AED100 Billion in Projects and Initiatives
One of the main announcements associated with the opening of LIVEX 2026 is the scale of investment activity being presented.
Projects and initiatives worth more than AED100 billion are being highlighted across multiple sectors during the exhibition.
This figure is important, but it should be interpreted correctly.
The AED100 billion does not represent AED100 billion invested exclusively in Abu Dhabi real estate. Instead, it covers a broader group of projects and initiatives connected with urban development, infrastructure, mobility, services and other sectors contributing to Abu Dhabi’s future growth.
This wider investment approach is particularly relevant to property investors because the long-term attractiveness of residential communities is influenced not only by housing supply but also by transport, public spaces, schools, healthcare, leisure facilities and infrastructure.
Abu Dhabi Places Liveability at the Centre of Development
During the opening of LIVEX 2026, Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, said the event reflects Abu Dhabi’s vision of placing people and quality of life at the centre of development.
This reflects an increasingly important direction in urban planning.
Rather than measuring growth purely by the number of buildings constructed, Abu Dhabi is placing greater emphasis on whether communities provide residents with convenient mobility, public services, quality public spaces and an attractive overall living environment.
This people-focused approach is also reflected in Abu Dhabi’s broader smart-city strategy, where data and technology are increasingly being used to support planning decisions.
For property buyers comparing different areas, NAS Luxury Real Estate’s guide to the best areas to buy property in Abu Dhabi in 2026 provides an overview of several of the emirate’s key investment communities.
Abu Dhabi’s AED42 Billion Liveability Strategy
LIVEX 2026 also comes as Abu Dhabi moves into the next phase of its wider Liveability Strategy.
The strategy has an approved programme value of AED42 billion.
During its first phase, more than 60 projects worth over AED12 billion were completed, covering residential neighbourhoods, infrastructure and community facilities.
The second phase introduces a five-year approach focused not simply on constructing facilities, but on evaluating how effectively those facilities operate and how they contribute to residents’ quality of life.
This distinction matters for real estate.
A community’s long-term appeal can depend on the actual usability and quality of its parks, roads, schools, transport connections and public facilities—not simply whether those facilities exist.
A New Government Asset Investment Platform Was Launched at LIVEX
Another significant announcement on the opening day of LIVEX 2026 was the launch of Abu Dhabi’s Government Assets Investment Opportunities Portal.
The Department of Municipalities and Transport launched the platform through TAMM to make it easier for investors to identify and evaluate investment opportunities involving government-owned land and built assets.
The platform covers several stages of the investment process, including:
- Opportunity discovery
- Expressions of interest
- Bidding
- Investor selection
- Award
- Contracting
According to the Abu Dhabi Media Office, the initiative is designed to connect government development priorities with private-sector capital and expertise.
This provides another indication of Abu Dhabi’s efforts to create more structured and transparent investment channels.
AED250 Billion Planned for Energy and Utility Infrastructure
LIVEX has also generated major infrastructure announcements beyond the AED100 billion headline.
During the exhibition, Abu Dhabi Department of Energy Chairman Dr Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan said Abu Dhabi plans to commit AED250 billion over the next decade to expand power, water and district-cooling infrastructure.
The programme is intended to support future communities, schools, universities, hospitals and new neighbourhoods as Abu Dhabi continues to expand.
For real estate investors, utility and infrastructure capacity is an important part of the wider development environment.
Major residential growth requires sufficient electricity, water, transport and municipal infrastructure to support new population and development.
Why LIVEX 2026 Matters for Abu Dhabi Real Estate
LIVEX is not exclusively a real estate exhibition, but many of its themes have direct relevance to the property market.
Real estate value and demand can be influenced by the wider quality and accessibility of a community.
Buyers often consider:
- Transport connections
- Road accessibility
- Schools
- Healthcare
- Retail
- Parks and public spaces
- Employment centres
- Entertainment
- Community infrastructure
- Future development plans
A well-planned residential community supported by strong infrastructure may therefore offer a different proposition from a property considered purely on its unit price.
Investors looking at current opportunities can explore Abu Dhabi property projects available through NAS Luxury Real Estate across established and emerging communities.
Technology Is Playing a Bigger Role in Abu Dhabi’s Urban Growth
Another major theme at LIVEX 2026 is the use of artificial intelligence and data in urban planning.
Abu Dhabi has been moving towards a more data-driven planning model, including technologies that combine information from government systems, sensors and infrastructure to help decision-makers understand how different parts of the emirate function.
AI has also featured prominently in the exhibition programme, with discussions around the role of AI agents, digital public services and future city infrastructure.
For real estate, this broader digital transformation may help authorities better plan roads, services, infrastructure and community facilities as new areas develop.
What Could LIVEX Mean for Abu Dhabi Property Investors?
The main takeaway for property investors is not that every area will automatically experience price appreciation because of LIVEX.
Instead, the exhibition provides evidence of the scale and direction of Abu Dhabi’s wider urban-development strategy.
Investors can use this information when evaluating communities by asking questions such as:
- What infrastructure is planned around the project?
- How well connected is the area?
- What schools, healthcare and retail are available?
- How much future housing supply is planned?
- Is the community already established or still developing?
- Are major government or private investments happening nearby?
These factors can be considered alongside property price, developer reputation, service charges, expected rental demand and individual investment objectives.
Major communities including Yas Island, Saadiyat Island and Al Reem Island continue to form an important part of Abu Dhabi’s residential landscape.
Buyers interested specifically in Yas Island can explore properties for sale in Yas Island with NAS Luxury Real Estate.
LIVEX 2026 Highlights Abu Dhabi’s Long-Term Development Direction
LIVEX 2026 offers a broader picture of how Abu Dhabi intends to grow.
The emirate is combining residential development with investment in infrastructure, mobility, technology, public services and quality of life.
The more than AED100 billion in projects and initiatives being highlighted at LIVEX should therefore be viewed within this wider context rather than as a single real estate investment figure.
For property buyers and investors, the exhibition provides useful insight into the factors that may shape Abu Dhabi’s communities over the coming years.
As LIVEX continues through 1 October 2026, further announcements may provide additional detail on projects, partnerships and investment opportunities across the emirate.
Yes. LIVEX 2026 opened on 29 September 2026 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi. The three-day exhibition runs until 1 October 2026 and brings together investors, government entities and international experts across several industries.
More than AED100 billion in projects and initiatives across several sectors are being highlighted in connection with LIVEX 2026. The figure covers multiple areas and should not be interpreted as AED100 billion exclusively allocated to Abu Dhabi real estate.
LIVEX focuses on infrastructure, mobility, community development, technology and quality of life. These factors can influence the attractiveness of residential locations and should be considered alongside property price, supply, rental demand and developer quality.
Abu Dhabi’s Liveability Strategy is a wider programme focused on improving residential neighbourhoods, infrastructure and community facilities. Its approved programme value is AED42 billion, and more than 60 projects worth over AED12 billion were completed during its earlier phase.
Investors can compare properties across communities such as Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, Al Reem Island and other designated investment areas. NAS Luxury Real Estate’s Abu Dhabi property investment guide provides information on some of the emirate’s major locations and factors to consider before buying.
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