Ryan Reynolds and YouTube Co-Founder Steve Chen Lead Star-Studded Lineup for LiveX Abu Dhabi 2026

Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds, YouTube co-founder Steve Chen, and several former global mayors are among the high-profile figures announced as the first speakers for LiveX 2026 in Abu Dhabi.

The inaugural Liveability and Investment Exhibition is scheduled to run at the Adnec Centre from September 29 to October 1. The event will convene more than 100 international speakers across six core themes: liveability, culture, education, the economy, energy, and health.

Actor, producer, and entrepreneur Ryan Reynolds will share the stage with Anne Hidalgo, former mayor of Paris, Enrique Penalosa, former mayor of Bogota, and former Melbourne lord mayor Sally Capp.

Additional speakers include Christiana Figueres, former executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change; Udacity founder Sebastian Thrun; actor and environmental advocate Adrian Grenier; and US media personality Tucker Carlson.

“Liveability is increasingly a defining factor in attracting investment, talent and long-term economic growth,” stated Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, chairman of Abu Dhabi's Department of Municipalities and Transport. He emphasized that the emirate focuses on aligning economic opportunity with quality of life.

Alongside the conference sessions, the exhibition will feature an exclusive Investors Lounge hosted in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office and Mubadala, anticipating more than 1,500 participating investors. Attendees can also explore walk-through pavilions, neighbourhood masterplans, robotics demonstrations, and various food and performance programs.

Community outreach initiatives are underway ahead of the main event, featuring a travelling public installation, a local cycling tour, and a children's art project titled Imagine What's Next, which will culminate in a digital mural displayed at LiveX.