Dubai – 2 October 2026
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and S&P Global Ratings will host the 16th Annual Islamic Finance Conference on 7 October 2026, bringing together financial professionals and industry experts to discuss the future of Islamic finance and developments shaping the sector.
Taking place at The Atrium, Level 2, Gate District, DIFC, the conference will explore the outlook for Islamic finance in 2026 and 2027, including the opportunities and challenges that could influence the industry’s continued development. Discussions will also look at the GCC’s evolving capital markets and credit environment.
The programme will open with remarks from Alya Al Zarouni, Chief Operating Officer of DIFC Authority, and Hadi Melki, Managing Director and Regional Head, Middle East at S&P Global Ratings. Sessions will cover areas including sovereign credit conditions, global energy markets and the wider economic outlook.
A key panel, titled ‘Islamic Finance 2026 – 2027 Navigating Rough Waters’, will examine the opportunities and challenges facing the sector. Representatives from the Dubai Financial Services Authority, Arqaam Capital, HSBC and S&P Global Ratings will take part in the discussion.
Further sessions will explore credit trends among GCC banks and corporates, the outlook for the takaful sector, developments in Saudi Arabia, and Islamic finance in Central Asia and the Caucasus. Together, the sessions will provide perspectives on the financial and market conditions affecting the industry across the region.
Registration and networking will begin at 8:30am, with the main programme starting at 9:30am. The conference will run until 1pm and will be held in person at The Atrium, Gate District, DIFC. Attendance is free, subject to registration.
The annual conference provides a platform for financial institutions, regulators and industry professionals to exchange views on developments in Islamic finance and the wider financial markets.
