World Green Economy Summit 2025 hosts a high-level ministerial roundtable

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the World Green Economy Organization (WGEO), delivered the opening address at the high-level roundtable hosted by the World Green Economy Organisation (WGEO) on the first day of the 11th edition of the World Green Economy Summit (WGES).

The session, held under the theme ‘Delivering Climate Ambition by 2030 and Beyond – United Action for Green Transition’, aimed to advance climate ambitions and promote dialogue on aligning policies, finance and innovation with sustainable development. It was attended by HE Dr Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment; HE Dr. Ayman Suleiman, Minister of Environment, Jordan; HE Dorin Junghietu, Minister of Energy, Republic of Moldova; HE Dr. Muaviyath Mohamed,  Minister of State for Tourism and Environment, Maldives; HE  Abubakar Ben Mahmoud Minister of the Environment, in charge of Tourism , Comoros; Hon James Opiyo Wandayi, MGH Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum, Kenya; HE Iury Valter de Sousa Santos, Secretary of State for the Environment, Angola; HE Hambardzum Matevossian, Minister of Environment, Republic of Armenia; HE Roberto Mito Albino, Minister of Agriculture, Environment, and Fishery, Mozambique, and HE Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister Of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) .

The session was also attended by ambassadors and delegates from the 91 member states of the Global Alliance on Green Economy (GAGE), as well as representatives of international organisations.

In his speech, Al Tayer emphasised that the visionary leadership of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, continues to champion a sustainable, just and inclusive future for all.

“We gather at a decisive moment – nearly six weeks before COP30 in Belém, Brazil. This event reminds us that the years to 2030 are decisive. What we do now must place us on the right path to a just, resilient and sustainable future. Last year, we held the ministerial roundtable under the theme ‘United Action for Green Transition’, and we laid a strong foundation. This year, we must build on it with speed, scale and inclusivity. Our efforts are centered around ‘Delivering Climate Ambition by 2030 and Beyond’. This is a call to move from ambition to implementation. Science is clear, the urgency is real,” said Al Tayer.

“Our task is to translate pledges into policies, strategies into scalable projects and commitments into measurable impact. This means confronting the hard questions: How do we dismantle policy, financial and institutional barriers? How do we unlock private finance and forge powerful public-private partnerships aligned with National Determined Contributions? And how do we ensure innovation is not only fast-tracked but also inclusive – benefitting youths, women and vulnerable communities? Clean energy and innovation will drive this transition. We must focus on co-operation and investment in breakthrough technologies, in addition to accelerating renewable deployment and enabling green finance to flow where it is most needed, particularly in the Global South,” added Al Tayer.

Al Tayer stated that this roundtable, convened by WGEO in close partnership with the UAE Government and as a flagship initiative of the Global Alliance on Green Economy (GAGE), is a platform for solution-oriented dialogue. WGEO continues to serve as a unique bridge between governments, industry and civil society – mobilising ambition and catalysing action.

“We are architects of a shared future. This is not a moment to restate commitments. It is time to sharpen strategies and ensure that by 2030, the promises of Paris and Dubai are translated into tangible progress. Let us leave here today with a practical recommendation, stronger partnerships and a renewed commitment to carry forward to 2030 and beyond,” he added.

Al Tayer emphasised several key themes: The transition must be just and inclusive – ensuring no community or country is left behind; Clean energy and innovation are not distant aspirations but immediate tools we must scale up with speed and equity; and Partnerships, finance and policies will remain the enablers without which no progress will be possible.

Al Tayer further emphasised that all must commit to three simple but powerful imperatives: Be pragmatic: focus on what can be implemented now, not in the distant future; Be accountable: set smart measurable targets, track progress and report transparently; Be collaborative: leverage the unique role of platforms such as WGEO and the Global Alliance on Green Economy (GAGE) to pool knowledge, finance and innovation.

“The world is indeed watching. The credibility of our collective efforts will not be judged by the words spoken in Dubai/UAE, but by the results delivered in every country and every community,” concluded Al Tayer.

In her speech at a Ministerial Roundtable, HE Dr Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak underscored the UAE's unwavering commitment to a sustainable future and called for enhanced regional cooperation to meet shared climate goals.

"The UAE is demonstrating tangible progress and strong commitment to climate action. From our drive to plant 100 million mangroves by 2030 and our surging solar PV capacity, to the clean power from Barakah and our pioneering circular economy policies, we are turning ambition into action. Our Net Zero 2050 Strategy provides a clear roadmap, and we are backing it with decisive measures. A key lesson we have learned is the absolute necessity of a multi-faceted approach. Effective climate action requires a whole-of-government strategy, integrating climate into all national plans. We firmly believe that climate action and economic growth are not trade-offs; they are partners. To unlock this potential, governments must design enabling policy frameworks to attract vital private investment," said Al Dahak

"Collaboration is the catalyst for progress. Regional cooperation, sharing best practices, joint R&D, and exploring innovative financing mechanisms like green bonds are critical to meeting our climate ambitions by 2030 and beyond. By working together and leveraging our collective strengths, we can drive the collective progress the world needs. The UAE stands ready to partner in this critical endeavour,” she concluded.

In his speech, HE Abdulla Balalaa said: "Through the USD 30 billion ALTÉRRA Fund, and the Central Bank’s AED 1 trillion sustainable finance initiative, we are mobilizing transformative investments at scale. The Global Climate Finance Centre also is pioneering innovative instruments — from green bonds to blended finance — unlocking private capital, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and expanding climate investment where it is needed most. Around the world, UAE platforms such as Masdar are deploying renewable energy and low-carbon solutions in more than 40 countries — powering growth, creating jobs, and building resilience. Our Africa Green Investment Initiative alone directs USD 4.5 billion to catalyze up to 15 GW of clean power by 2030, proving that climate action and economic opportunity can advance hand-in-hand. As we look ahead to COP30 in Belém, our priorities are clear: we must accelerate action to close the implementation gap, ensure finance is available, accessible, and affordable for developing economies, and deliver a just and equitable transition that creates opportunities for all.”