Dubai:Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum inaugurated the 12th edition of the World Green Economy Summit (WGES) in Dubai. The summit focuses on international cooperation to transition to a competitive and sustainable green economy, balancing economic growth with environmental protection.
According to Wam, the event, held at the Dubai World Trade Centre on October 21 and 22, 2026, under the theme 'From Success to Scale Showcasing the Green Economy,' emphasizes scaling up sustainable solutions and investments to support a low-carbon economy. The summit gathers leaders, policymakers, and experts to share expertise and accelerate climate action and technological advancement.
The opening ceremony featured speeches from notable figures, including Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, and Sheikha Dr. Shamma Mohammed Khalid Al Nahyan. The summit aims to move from pioneering achievements to global empowerment in the green economy, with discussions on energy technology, business strategy, water and food security, and finance.
Al Tayer expressed gratitude to the UAE leadership for their vision in making sustainability a cornerstone of development. He highlighted significant investments in clean energy, such as the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, and emphasized the UAE's commitment to achieving 100% clean energy production by 2050.
Sheikha Dr. Shamma bint Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan stressed the importance of valuing natural resources and the risks of the 'illusion of abundance.' She called for resource conservation to be integrated into economic policies to ensure sustainability for future generations.
Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, noted the summit's role in translating successful green solutions into scalable impacts, contributing to economic growth and job creation. The UAE's strategies, including the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, aim to increase GDP through clean technology and sustainable industries.
The summit's discussions will cover topics such as redesigning business models, scaling clean energy solutions, and the role of technology in food production. The second day will address green finance in the GCC, clean water solutions, and the announcement of the next cycle of the Emirates Energy Award.