Global Capital Markets | Global Conference 2026

Why It Matters

The discussion signals a sustained flow of trillions into global capex and AI, reshaping investment strategies and policy priorities for sovereign funds, corporations, and investors alike.

Key Takeaways

• UAE’s Mubadala leverages resilience to accelerate post‑crisis investment strategy.
• Global capex projected at $750‑$800 bn, driving AI and infrastructure growth.
• Open‑architecture capital markets essential for funding trillion‑dollar asset expansions.
• US energy independence sustains consumer spending amid geopolitical volatility.
• AI deployment expected to boost productivity while reshaping employment dynamics.

Summary

The Global Capital Markets panel at the 2026 conference centered on how sovereign wealth funds and major economies are navigating post‑war volatility, massive capital‑expenditure cycles, and the AI revolution. Speakers highlighted the UAE’s Mubadala as a model of resilience, noting its $100 bn‑plus asset base and a strategy that has accelerated rather than retreated in the face of recent disruptions.

Key data points included a projected $750‑$800 bn of global capex this year, double‑digit revenue growth in private‑equity portfolios, and investment‑grade bond issuance topping the U.S. Treasury market for the first time. Participants stressed the shift toward open‑architecture market structures, where public, private credit, and infrastructure channels converge to fund trillion‑dollar asset builds.

Notable remarks underscored the region’s defensive successes—94% interception of hostile projectiles—and the historical V‑shaped recoveries after the Global Financial Crisis and COVID‑19. The panel cited Singapore’s policy framework as a template for attracting capital, and highlighted the full‑stack AI build‑out that spans chips, data centers, power, and real‑estate, promising a productivity step‑function.

The implications are clear: investors should prioritize resilient sovereign funds and jurisdictions with stable fiscal, monetary, and industrial policies. The U.S. consumer economy remains a magnet for capital, while AI‑driven efficiency will reshape employment but also generate new growth opportunities, making collaborative, open‑architecture financing essential for sustaining the upcoming wave of infrastructure and technology investment.

Original Description

Watch all 2026 Global Conference session replays: https://milkeninstitute.org/events/global-conference-2026/program

David Faber

Anchor and On-Air Editor, CNBC

Waleed Al Mokarrab Al Muhairi

Deputy Group CEO, Mubadala Investment Company

Jon Gray

President and Chief Operating Officer, Blackstone

Jenny Johnson

CEO, Franklin Templeton

Robin Vince

CEO, BNY

James Zelter

President, Apollo Global Management