The UAE continues to advance its pioneering approach making sustainability a cornerstone of development, innovation a driver of growth and international partnerships a foundation for a more prosperous future.
Dubai, in turn, continues to cement its position as a leading global hub for advancing the transition to a green economy, said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, inaugurating the 12th edition of the World Green Economy Summit (WGES).
There was need for international cooperation in supporting the transition to a competitive and sustainable green economy, while balancing economic growth with environmental protection, he said.
The World Green Economy Summit (WGES) is being held at Dubai World Trade Centre on October 21 and 22, 2026 under the theme ‘From Success to Scale: Showcasing the Green Economy’.
The opening ceremony featured the keynote speech of Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, MD & CEO of Dewa and Chairman of WGEO; Sheikha Dr Shamma Mohammed Khalid Al Nahyan, Chairperson of the Board of Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan Cultural & Educational Institutions; Dr Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment; Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, Energy and Sustainability; and Darren Kimura, President and CEO of AISquared.
Leading driver
Al Tayer said: “Today, the question is no longer whether the green economy is the right choice, instead how can we accelerate its adoption, broaden its reach and amplify its impact so that it becomes a leading driver of sustainable development and economic prosperity around the world. Over the course of the summit, we will hold discussions across Energy Technology & Infrastructure; Business Strategy & Transition; Water & Food Security; Finance and other topics.”
Al Tayer said green economy has become a core part of global growth, investment and energy systems. Global energy investment is expected to reach around $3.4 trillion in 2026, of which around $2.2 trillion will go to clean energy, power grids, storage and other low-emission areas, nearly double the combined investment in oil, gas and coal.
According to a report by the London Stock Exchange Group, the market value of the global green economy surpassed the $10 trillion mark by mid-2026 – even amid energy shocks, supply disruptions, policy divergence and market volatility. Other reports conclude that the green economy was the second-fastest-growing sector over the past decade, after technology, as companies turn to low-carbon and resilience-enhancing solutions.
“Ambition has transformed into tangible achievements and figures that reflect the accelerating transition to clean energy, that accounted for 32.4% of electricity generation mix in the UAE in 2025. In Dubai, we continue to accelerate progress toward a sustainable future. This year, we reached 25.8%—surpassing the original 2030 target—and we aim to raise this figure to 36% by 2030, ultimately achieving 100% clean energy production capacity by 2050.
“The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai, which is the world’s largest single-site solar park with total investments of AED50 billion by 2030, stands as an integrated model of the green economy and sustainable development. It brings together clean power generation with research, development, testing and innovation in renewable energy, energy storage and green hydrogen, as well as green data centres and AI applications,” said Al Tayer.
Dubai a practical model
“Through its pioneering experience in the energy and water sectors, Dubai offers a practical model for scaling the green economy, drawing on its accumulated expertise in delivering major projects in energy, water, clean energy, digital transformation and innovation. Dubai has launched ‘Dewa International’ to take its successful energy and water infrastructure model to international markets; to develop conventional and clean energy projects; to build partnerships with governments, developers, investors and financial institutions; and to take part in financing, delivery, operations and knowledge transfer.
“The World Green Economy Organisation (WGEO) also works to strengthen international cooperation, build partnerships and exchange knowledge and expertise to support countries on their path towards a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient green economy. The Global Green Economy Alliance, established by WGEO, now brings together 96 countries, reflecting the breadth of international cooperation around the green economy agenda,” added Al Tayer.
Sheikha Dr Shamma said: “Humanity has made tremendous strides in harnessing technology to meet its needs. Yet, amid these achievements, we may fall into the trap of the ‘illusion of abundance’, mistakenly believing that what is readily available comes at little cost. We often forget that behind every drop of water and every morsel of food lie natural resources, energy, human effort and substantial investment. I believe that the greatest threat to our water and food security is not scarcity alone, but the illusion of abundance, which prevents us from recognising the true value of what we have.”
Building a genuine green economy
“The responsibility for conserving resources does not rest solely with individuals; it also extends to economic policies and the systems that govern production, distribution and consumption. We must ask a fundamental question: why does waste sometimes become an easier and less costly option than resource conservation? Building a genuine green economy requires us to make sustainability a conscious economic and social choice, rather than merely a response to the challenges of scarcity,” she added.
“We must view sustainability through the lens of intergenerational justice. Future generations, including those not yet born, have no voice today to challenge our decisions, yet they will live with their consequences. When we squander our resources, we are not drawing solely on our own reserves; we are also depleting what rightfully belongs to our children and grandchildren. The true success of sustainability summits, therefore, should be measured not only by the recommendations they produce, but also by the changes they bring about in our awareness, behaviour and policies, and by the resources and equitable opportunities we leave for future generations,” she concluded.
Dr Al Dahak said: “The theme of this year’s summit, ‘From Success to Scale: Showcasing the Green Economy,’ signifies the transition from exploring potential solutions and proving their viability to scaling up the implementation of solutions that have demonstrated their success. In the UAE, the green transition goes beyond being an environmental priority; it is a key driver of economic growth, innovation and job creation.
Ambition to tangible targets
“Our strategies translate this ambition into tangible targets. Through the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, we aim to generate economic benefits, including the potential to contribute approximately 3% to the UAE’s GDP. The Green Agenda 2030 further reinforces this vision by charting a clear path towards building a competitive, knowledge-based economy and increasing GDP by 4% to 5%, driven by clean technology, sustainable industries and green innovation.”
She added: “In the same context, the UAE Energy Strategy 2050 aims to triple the contribution of renewable energy by 2030 and invest between AED150 billion and AED200 billion to meet growing energy demand while continuing to drive the UAE’s economic development. These ambitions are reflected in pioneering projects on the ground, most notably the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, as well as the project by Masdar and Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) to provide round-the-clock renewable energy.
Balalaa said: WGES is an important platform for advancing the green economy. As we look towards the UN Water Conference in December, we have the opportunity to carry this momentum from Dubai to Abu Dhabi and translate these ambitions into concrete progress on water security. We want to turn dialogue into partnerships, partnerships into investments, and investments into lasting impact. The true measure of the green economy is not simply how much we invest or how much technology we deploy, but the prosperity, resilience and opportunity we create for people and our planet.”
Resource intelligence
Kimura said the next era will belong to those who use energy, water and capital most intelligently, an idea he calls resource intelligence. He pointed to the UAE as the model, a nation that bet early on both solar power and artificial intelligence. Combined, he said, the two can deliver AI-run grids that store midday solar power for evening demand, water networks with near-zero losses, and precision farming in the desert.
Citing International Energy Agency projections that data centre electricity use will more than double by 2030, Kimura warned that AI must be held to the same discipline it brings to energy and water. He presented the AI Controls Framework, which he developed with his team, as a way to govern AI so it can be trusted with more as it moves from advising people to acting for them. Kimura proposed a Dubai AI Standard, under which no AI project would count as a success until it reports what it saved and what it cost.—TradeArabia News Service
