Abu Dhabi is at the forefront of property technology and real estate transparency. During the recent International MLS Forum in Toronto, Canada, the Emirate is also set to become the world leader in transparency. Represented by the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Center (ADREC) and Advanced Real Estate Services (ADRES), the UAE showcased its rapid pace of digital transformation and data governance.
This event was about more than participation; it was about connection. It was a matter of setting new standards. As a Diamond Sponsor, ADRES stood out among 130 organizations from 20 countries. The outcome? Partnerships and awards go along with an announcement that next year, the world’s real estate eyes will be gazing at the Middle East.
Here’s why this news matters to investors, homeowners and the global market.
2026 International MLS Forum in Abu Dhabi
In a first for the Middle East, Abu Dhabi will host the Fourth International MLS Forum. This massive event will be hosted by ADREC in partnership with ADRES and organized by the Real Estate Standards Organization (RESO) on November 23-24, 2026.
Hosting this forum places Abu Dhabi real estate at the center of global conversations regarding:
- Real Estate Transparency
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) in property
- Data Ethics
- PropTech Innovation
Moath Maqbol, General Manager of ADRES, described this honor as both a responsibility and a testament to the UAE’s vision. It signals to the world that Abu Dhabi is not just a participant in the property market but a hub for future digital property governance.
Unifying Markets with Global Data Exchange (GDX)
One of the biggest hurdles in international real estate investment is data. How do you trust property details from a different continent? Abu Dhabi is solving this through a new Global Data Exchange (GDX) agreement.
Signed in Toronto, this pilot project connects ADRES with major international players, including:
- Stellar MLS
- TRREB (Toronto Regional Real Estate Board)
- SNPI
- San Diego MLS
This agreement uses RESO standards to allow verified property data to flow securely across borders. For investors, this means better access to Abu Dhabi real estate opportunities and higher confidence that the data they are seeing is accurate and transparent. It is a major step toward a unified, technology-driven global marketplace.
Madhmoun MLS: Setting a New Standard
A highlight of the forum was the recognition of Madhmoun MLS. This system is the backbone of Abu Dhabi’s modern real estate framework. It was recognized as the first RESO-certified Multiple Listing Service (MLS) in the MENA, Asia, and Arab regions.
Madhmoun MLS has achieved two critical certifications:
- RESO Data Dictionary 2.0
- Web API 2.0.0
In other words, these certifications mean Abu Dhabi’s property data “speaks the same language” as other advanced markets such as the US and Canada. Such compatibility is necessary so that PropTech tools can work properly - data about property listings, sales and valuations must be consistent and reliable.
Sultan Al Memari, of ADREC, said that Madhmoun MLS brings the UAE in line with international standards, increasing investor trust, and creating a transparent real estate environment.
Excellence in Mentorship: ThinkProp
Technology needs skilled people to run it. The forum recognized this by awarding ThinkProp, ADRES’s accredited real estate training institute, with the Excellence in Mentorship Award.
The prize recognizes the importance of education in this sector. The foundation of trust is education, noted ThinkProp CEO Jasem Al Hosani. By training a workforce, ThinkProp prepares real estate professionals in Abu Dhabi for a changing digital landscape.
Conclusion: A Vision for the Future.
What happens at the International MLS Forum 2025 is historic. Through ADREC’s regulatory power and ADRES’s technological innovation, Abu Dhabi is creating a connected, transparent, and investor-friendly real estate future.
The emirate is also set to host the International MLS Forum 2026 on PropTech and real estate transparency - proving that the UAE is a hotbed of global investment.
