Photo Credit: WAM
The 12th edition of the World Green Economy Summit (WGES) 2026 is set to begin on Wednesday, October 21, bringing together global leaders, policymakers, business executives and sustainability experts to discuss the future of green economic development.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the two-day summit will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Organised by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and the World Green Economy Organisation (WGEO), the event will be held under the theme “From Success to Scale: Showcasing the Green Economy.”
The summit will feature 135 international speakers who will share experiences, discuss sustainable development strategies and explore practical solutions to accelerate the global transition towards a greener economy.
Global Leaders and Industry Experts to Attend
Among the prominent participants are Sheikha Dr. Shamma Mohammed Khalid Al Nahyan, Chairperson of the Board of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalid Al Nahyan Cultural and Educational Institutions, and Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice-Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, MD and CEO of DEWA, and Chairman of WGEO.
Other speakers include Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment; Dr. Aliou Gori Diouf, Senegal’s Minister of Environment and Ecological Transition; and Steven Victor, Palau’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment.
Ahmed Buti Al Muhairbi, Secretary-General of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, and Abdulla Balalaa, UAE Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, will also participate.
The business sector will be represented by senior executives, including Darren Kimur of AISquared, Dr. Arshad Mansoor of EPRI, Saeed Al Abbar of AESG, Amel Chadli of Schneider Electric, Yousif Lootah of Lootah BioFuels and Bashar Al Natoor of Fitch Ratings.
Summit to Focus on Green Energy and Sustainable Investment
Speaking ahead of the event, Al Tayer highlighted the UAE’s growing role in advancing international climate cooperation and attracting investment in sustainable industries.
He said the summit would provide a platform to promote innovation, expand practical green solutions and strengthen global efforts to address environmental challenges.
WGES 2026 will focus on four major pillars: Energy Technology and Infrastructure, Business Strategy and Transition, Water and Food Security, and Finance.
Discussions will also cover artificial intelligence, governance, sustainable supply chains and the circular economy, highlighting their importance in supporting long-term environmental and economic goals.
Clean Energy, AI and Green Finance Lead Discussions
The summit’s programme includes high-level discussions on renewable energy, decarbonisation, energy storage and the development of sustainable technologies.
Key sessions will examine ways to reduce the cost of green innovation, expand access to clean electricity and support net-zero ambitions through modern energy solutions.
Another major area of discussion will be the environmental impact of artificial intelligence, particularly the growing demand for energy-efficient data centres.
Financial experts and business leaders will explore investment opportunities created by the green transition, including the role of sustainable finance in supporting economic growth across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.
Sessions will also address climate investment returns, blended finance, business resilience and emerging opportunities in the global green economy.
Water Security and Sustainable Food Production on Agenda
Beyond clean energy and finance, WGES 2026 will examine challenges related to water availability, food security and sustainable infrastructure.
Experts will discuss advanced water treatment technologies, including reverse osmosis, alongside innovations aimed at improving agricultural productivity in a changing climate.
The summit will also highlight Dubai’s experience in developing efficient utility infrastructure and explore opportunities to apply successful models in international markets.
In addition, WGES 2026 will host a dedicated session announcing the next cycle of the Emirates Energy Award (EEA), an initiative recognising achievements and innovation in energy efficiency and sustainability.
The two-day gathering aims to strengthen international partnerships, encourage investment in green technologies and support the expansion of sustainable economic practices worldwide.
