WGES 2026 reinforces the UAEs position as a key driver of the green economy

 

The 12th edition of the World Green Economy Summit (WGES) is reinforcing the UAE’s position as a global leader in the green economy and sustainable development. The summit serves as a global platform to highlight the country’s achievements under the wise leadership of HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in building a diversified, competitive and sustainable economy.

WGES reflects the strength of the UAE’s development model, which is driven by economic diversification, leadership in advanced science and emerging technologies, and the continued growth of high-value industries, including artificial intelligence. It also demonstrates the country’s success in turning the green economy from an environmental objective into a thriving economic sector supported by investment, clean technologies and renewable energy.

Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, WGES 2026 is organised by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and the World Green Economy Organization (WGEO). It will take place on 21 and 22 October 2026 at the Dubai World Trade Centre under the theme ‘From Success to Scale: Showcasing the Green Economy’.

The summit will feature high-level panel discussions bringing together policymakers, investors, business leaders, financiers, infrastructure developers, resilience experts and representatives from governments, the private sector and academia from around the world. WGES supports the goals of the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategy, the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050 to provide 100% of Dubai’s energy production capacity from clean sources by 2050.

“Thanks to the forward-looking vision of the wise leadership, the UAE has succeeded in maintaining its growth momentum across both traditional and future-oriented sectors. Its emphasis on innovation, sustainability, research and strategic investments, combined with its ability to anticipate global shifts, has strengthened its performance across several competitiveness indicators. These achievements include ranking fifth globally for economic competitiveness, government efficiency, legislative strength and business environment excellence in the 2025 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, MD & CEO of DEWA and Chairman of WGEO.

“By anticipating global trends and investing in future-focused sectors, the UAE has built a diversified, resilient and future-ready economy, with non-oil sectors contributing around 79% of the UAE’s GDP in 2025. Today, the UAE is not only advancing the transition to net zero but also demonstrating how the green economy can be a powerful driver of sustainable growth, investment and innovation, paving the way for a more prosperous and greener future. The World Green Economy Summit serves as a global platform for extending the UAE’s pioneering experience in green transformation and climate investment,” Al Tayer added.

HE Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, affirmed that the UAE, guided by the vision of its wise leadership, has made the green economy a key pillar of its development journey by translating sustainability targets into high-impact investments and projects that strengthen the competitiveness of the national economy and create new opportunities for growth.

“We continue to develop clean energy, water, infrastructure and sustainable transportation sectors, while leveraging technology and innovation to improve resource efficiency and meet growing demand. This supports economic diversification and advances the UAE’s path towards achieving climate neutrality. The World Green Economy Summit serves as an important platform that brings together policymakers, business leaders and investors, facilitating the exchange of expertise and showcasing successful national and international experiences in transforming environmental challenges into promising economic and investment opportunities,” said Al Mazrouei.

“We look forward to the 12th edition of the summit contributing to the development of effective partnerships that support project implementation and the adoption of advanced technologies, while delivering tangible results in improving energy and resource efficiency and reducing emissions. This will strengthen economic growth and support international efforts to achieve a sustainable green transition,” Al Mazrouei added.

HE Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, said: “The UAE’s participation in the 12th World Green Economy Summit reflects our belief in the economic opportunities inherent in the transition to a low-carbon, knowledge economy, one that is supported by sustainable infrastructure and powered by renewable energy. In the UAE, this transition is already driving inward investment, delivering new industrial capabilities, catalysing innovation and creating high-value jobs – all of which directly align with our clearly stated diversification objectives. The theme of this year’s summit, ‘From Success to Scale’, also reflects our near-term ambitions, to turn proven models into lasting commercial reality, both at home and in our trade and investment partners around the world.”

HE Dr Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said: “Today, the green economy is entering a new phase where ambition is no longer measured by the scale of our pledges, but by our ability to transform proven solutions into viable investments, thriving markets and tangible opportunities. This commitment is embodied in the theme of World Green Economy Summit 2026 ‘From Success to Scale: Showcasing the Green Economy’. The UAE offers a proven model that pairs climate action directly with economic competitiveness. By integrating clean energy, water and food security, circularity, nature conservation and resource efficiency into a unified framework, we reinforce the long-term resilience of both our economy and society. Our priority is to accelerate innovations from laboratories and pilot projects into full-scale market deployment. We achieve this through enabling policies, strategic private-sector partnerships, and by harnessing artificial intelligence and data to optimise decision-making and implementation. By convening global policymakers, investors and innovators, WGES 2026 translates expertise into collaborative, market-ready models, accelerating the transition towards a low-carbon, adaptable future that delivers balanced value for people, the environment and the economy.”

WGES 2026 will focus on four main thematic pillars: Energy Technology and Infrastructure, Business Strategy and Transition, Water and Food Security, and Finance. It will also address three cross-cutting themes: Artificial Intelligence, Governance and System Enablers: Supply Chains and Circular Economy.

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