Dubai: Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, inaugurated the 11th edition of the World Green Economy Summit (WGES) in Dubai. The summit, organised by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and the World Green Economy Organisation (WGEO), is being held this year under the theme ‘Innovating for Impact: Accelerating the Future of the Green Economy’.
According to Emirates News Agency, the opening speech was delivered by Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, MD and CEO of DEWA, and Chairman of WGEO. The summit featured keynote speeches by Sauli Niinist¶, Former President of Finland; Dr Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment; and Sheikha Dr. Shamma bint Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan, Chairperson of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan Institutions.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by ministers, senior officials, dignitaries, experts, and specialists in the fields of economy, energy, climate action, sustainability, and more than 100 speakers from around the world. The summit will showcase stories of how to harness innovation and artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor emissions and predict climate risks. Discussions will include the role of the Internet of Things (IoT) in improving resource efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.
Al Tayer highlighted the UAE’s pioneering role in global climate action, noting that innovation is key to developing efficient and sustainable solutions to address climate challenges. He stated that AI is expected to contribute approximately AED350 billion to the UAE economy by 2030, underscoring the importance of sustainable infrastructure.
He also explained that investment in the low-carbon energy transition grew by 11% to a record $2.1 trillion in 2024. In Dubai, clean energy has reached 21.5% of the energy mix, with plans for the solar park to exceed 8,000 MW by 2030, reducing carbon emissions significantly.
Al Tayer emphasized that innovation extends to energy storage, vital for the stability of electrical grids reliant on renewable resources. The summit will also address the importance of sustainable finance, climate adaptation, and resilience as key priorities in the transition to sustainable energy.
Sauli Niinist¶ spoke on Finland’s journey towards sustainability and highlighted the need for global cooperation to drive the green economy agenda. Dr Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak discussed the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategy and the importance of adopting climate-friendly solutions. Sheikha Dr Shamma bint Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan emphasized the role of youth and social media in combating climate challenges, highlighting community efforts in the UAE.
WGES provides a platform for dialogue and the exchange of insights, bringing together government representatives, private sector leaders, technology pioneers, and civil society to formulate solutions to environmental and climate challenges.