World Green Economy Summit 2025 to explore climate equity as a solution to accelerating climate change

The 11th edition of the World Green Economy Summit (WGES) will address a range of innovative solutions to combat climate change and advance tangible progress towards achieving net zero. Among the summit’s key focus areas are climate equity and the implementation of proactive measures for a rapid and just transition to an integrated global green economy.

Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, WGES is organised by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and the World Green Economy Organization (WGEO). This year’s summit will take place on 1-2 October 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, under the theme ‘Innovating for Impact: Accelerating the Future of the Green Economy’.

“The World Green Economy Summit continues to build on the momentum of the historic UAE Consensus resulting from COP28 to support an orderly, responsible, fair and logical transition in the energy sector. The summit contributes to translating the agreement into sustainable international action and finding common ground to achieve the ambitions of the Paris Agreement and honour previous commitments. It underscores the importance of investing in innovation, technology, finance and data-driven research to provide climate funding to the countries and communities that need it most, ensuring benefits for all humanity. The concept of a just transition has gained prominence since 2013, advocating inclusive economies that are environmentally sustainable and leave no one behind,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, MD & CEO of DEWA and Chairman of WGEO.

While nearly 92% of the global population now has basic access to electricity, more than 666 million people still live without it, according to a report by the World Health Organization and its partners.

HE Flavien Joubert, Minister of Agriculture, Climate Change and Energy in the Seychelles, said: “We inhabit one interconnected world. Its resources are not without end and its ability to withstand humanity’s assault is not unlimited. Each individual from each country must bear this in mind as [their nation] seeks to develop.”

HE Max Andonirina Fontaine, Madagascar’s Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, said: “In Madagascar, climate justice is part of our everyday struggle. It means standing with those who lose their harvests to drought, their homes to floods and, too often, their future to indifference. The green transition must be just – or it will fail. It must restore fairness, protect the vulnerable and create opportunities where they are needed most. At this year's WGES, I will carry the voice of those the world forgets – and show how Madagascar is turning adversity into leadership, and resilience into lasting change.”

Muaviyath Mohamed, Minister of State for Tourism and Environment in the Maldives, said: “As a Small Island Developing State, Maldives is dedicated to collaborating with global partners to strengthen climate action and ensure a sustainable future for all.”

Dr Tarifa Alzaabi, Director General of ICBA, said: “Achieving a truly green economy requires solutions that are grounded in science, innovation and global collaboration. At ICBA, we transform advanced scientific research into practical strategies that strengthen climate-resilient agriculture, safeguard water and food security, and empower communities in the world’s most arid and saline regions. WGES provides an invaluable platform to advance these conversations and accelerate collective climate action.”

Prof Nazia M Habib from the University of Cambridge said: “A just green transition demands shared decisions – clarifying who gains, who bears the cost and how we fund institutions to sustain change.”

Olaf van der Veen, CEO and co-founder of Orbisk, said: “Food both fuels climate change and is one of its greatest victims, a dangerous feedback loop. As climate change worsens, food availability shrinks and food quality deteriorates in a vicious circle, risking human health as a consequence. Reducing food waste is the most immediate and impactful way to disrupt this cycle, thereby cutting emissions, land and water use and relieving pressure on our food system. It’s where climate action must begin while, in parallel, we keep designing a more resilient, healthy and responsible global diet.”

Angela Homsi, Founder of Ignite Energy Access and Ignite Partners, said: “At Ignite, we’re proving that delivering clean energy to the Global South is not just a moral imperative – it’s one of the most compelling business opportunities of our time. In regions where the grid can’t keep up with needs, accelerating human and national potential and returns are unlocked through bold execution and relentless focus. Distributed renewable energy isn’t waiting for the future – it’s enabling it and already outperforming in the world’s toughest markets.”

Michael Pollan, best-selling author and journalist, said: “As we stand at the crossroads of climate urgency and opportunity, gatherings like WGES and DEWA’s forums in Dubai offer not just policy or innovation but a chance to reshape our collective narrative around energy, food and the planet. I look forward to engaging with the global community in 2025 – to share, to listen and to help seed a greener, wiser culture.”

Hani Tohme, Head of Sustainability for the Middle East and Africa at Kearney, said: “As we accelerate global climate action, we must remember what’s at the core of this fight – people. Climate action must serve people, especially those most exposed to environmental and structural vulnerabilities. This is what climate justice truly means. Not just protection, but empowerment. When we design policies that are inclusive and forward-looking, we turn climate mitigation and adaptation into engines of growth, resilience and opportunity. It’s not just about reducing emissions. It’s about building a future that works for everyone.”

Adri Pols, CEO of Desolenator, said: “Climate change is intensifying the global challenge of food and water scarcity, and we cannot afford to treat these issues in isolation. Agriculture already consumes 70% of the world’s freshwater, and extreme weather will only deepen the crisis. But solutions exist. From renewable-powered desalination to circular resource systems and innovations in controlled-environment agriculture, we have the tools to build resilience. What we need now is collaboration across borders and sectors to secure sustainable food and water systems for future generations.”

During WGES 2025, prominent decision-makers, officials, experts, innovators and representatives from government entities, the private sector and the academic community worldwide will explore the disproportionate effects of climate change on vulnerable communities, particularly in relation to health, food security and access to water. Sessions will address rising risks such as extreme heat, air pollution and resource scarcity, while showcasing innovative solutions including AI-driven smart farming, agrivoltaics and advanced water management technologies. With a focus on sustainability, resilience and cross-border collaboration, the summit will examine strategies to ensure equitable access to essential resources in a changing climate.

Water

WGES will address ways to achieve long-term progress in confronting the global challenge of water scarcity. It will focus on strengthening sustainable water security systems at a global scale, accelerating the development of innovative technological solutions and evaluating their effectiveness in mitigating this growing crisis. According to the United Nations, one in three people worldwide lacks access to safe drinking water, and over two billion people live in water-stressed regions. Participants will share the latest practices and insights to mobilise all sectors and communities in climate action, with a strong emphasis on achieving the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030, particularly the sixth goal that focuses on clean water and sanitation.

Health

The summit will highlight the critical role of innovation and technology in developing more efficient, inclusive health systems that mitigate the effects of climate change. Climate-related risks threaten to reverse decades of progress in global health, jeopardising lives and undermining ongoing efforts to combat disease and save lives.

Food

The summit enhances collaboration and drives investment in smart, sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural and food systems. It aims to confront the severe pressures and risks posed by climate change, strengthen adaptative capacity, reduce carbon emissions, promote sustainable food production and, ultimately, eliminate hunger around the world. Studies reveal that food systems contribute more than 30% of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting the urgent need for transformative change to reshape global food systems and accelerate the transition towards sustainability.