# Family business leadership and governance in the UAE

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/family-business-leadership-and-governance-in-the-uae
> Updated: 2026-10-27T03:25:45.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2.

Recent initiatives in the United Arab Emirates have focused on the evolution and sustainability of family-owned enterprises. In Dubai, the DIFC Family Wealth Centre and the Arab International Women’s Forum held a roundtable titled ‘Women-Led Family Business in the Global Economy’. The discussion emphasized how female representation on boards can enhance corporate governance, innovation, and resilience.

Following this, the inaugural Forbes Middle East Family Business Summit was announced for Abu Dhabi. Under the theme ‘Where Generations Build Tomorrow’, the summit aims to convene leaders, investors, and policymakers to address critical topics such as succession planning, business transformation, and international expansion.

## Claims

- The Forbes Middle East Family Business Summit will be held on October 28–29. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The summit is held under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) is presenting the summit. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The event is expected to attract around 3,000 participants. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- More than 60 speakers will participate in the summit. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The summit will take place at the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas on Saadiyat Island. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-27: Forbes Middle East Family Business Summit to launch in Abu Dhabi

The inaugural Forbes Middle East Family Business Summit will take place in Abu Dhabi on October 28–29, focusing on governance, succession, and the future of family capital.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/forbes-middle-east-family-business-summit-to-launch-in-abu-dhabi

### 2026-10-08: DIFC Family Wealth Centre and AIWF promote women’s leadership in family businesses

The DIFC Family Wealth Centre and Arab International Women’s Forum held a summit in Dubai to discuss the impact of women’s leadership on the growth and governance of family-owned businesses.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/difc-family-wealth-centre-and-aiwf-promote-womens-leadership-in-family-businesses

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Cite as: Family business leadership and governance in the UAE. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/family-business-leadership-and-governance-in-the-uae