Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Energy Council, Dubai is set to strengthen its reputation as a global centre for sustainability and environmental innovation. The Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority has announced the inaugural Dubai Environment Conference and Exhibition 2026 (DECE), which will be held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Dubai on the 7th and 8th of September 2026. The event, themed “Protecting Our Environment, Safeguarding Our Future,” aims to provide a comprehensive platform for environmental dialogue and climate action at both national and regional levels.
Aligning with UAE Sustainability Goals
The Dubai Environment Conference and Exhibition 2026 aligns with the goals of the United Arab Emirates and its strategies concerning the environment and sustainability. These include the National Climate Change Plan 2017-2050, the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategy, the National Green Agenda 2030, and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, as well as the Dubai Urban Plan 2040.
A Gathering of Experts and Stakeholders
The conference will assemble leading decision-makers, experts, and representatives from both the public and private sectors. Their goal is to discuss the future of sustainability in the emirate and showcase the latest initiatives and innovative solutions supporting environmental and climate action through panel discussions, scientific research, and presentations, alongside a specialised environmental exhibition.
Significance of the Conference
In a press conference announcing the event, Ahmad Mohamed Bin Thani, Director-General of the Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority, stated, “The Dubai Environment Conference and Exhibition will, for the first time in the emirate, bring together a selection of specialists in sustainability and environmental matters. This initiative reflects Dubai’s commitment to enhancing efforts in environmental protection and climate action, which are fundamental pillars of its sustainable development journey.”
Collaborative Efforts for Environmental Action
Bin Thani further emphasised that the conference and exhibition represent a significant milestone in Dubai’s efforts to establish itself as a global hub for environmental innovation and leadership. The event aims to enhance collaboration across sectors and accelerate environmental and climate action in Dubai, thereby fostering partnerships that serve the environmental sector and highlighting key environmental challenges and opportunities.
Building an Integrated System for Sustainability
The Dubai Environment Conference and Exhibition 2026 will support the Authority’s efforts in creating an integrated working system that promotes sustainability. This platform will enable various sectors to exchange knowledge and experiences, showcase the latest innovations and environmental solutions, and accentuate the Authority’s initiatives across different environmental domains. Active participation from both the private and academic sectors will contribute significantly to Dubai’s sustainable development trajectory and vision for a more sustainable and innovative future.
Key Themes of Discussion
The event will focus on six main themes that embody the top priorities for environmental action in Dubai: biodiversity, natural resources, food security, climate change, circular economy, and environmental artificial intelligence.
The theme of biodiversity will address national and local efforts to protect the environment, stressing the importance of preserving biodiversity and natural habitats while discussing future challenges and opportunities. In relation to natural resources, sessions will underscore the importance of maintaining air, soil, and water quality for human health and ecosystem integrity.
The food security segment will explore the pillars of Dubai’s food security strategy, highlighting initiatives that sustain supply chains, manage food loss, enhance public-private partnerships, and bolster local production. On climate change, discussions will focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adapting to climate impacts, and improving the resilience of the emirate while envisioning priorities for the coming decades.
Additionally, the circular economy theme will promote local efforts in waste and water management and the economic prospects associated with adopting circular economy practices, including electronic waste recycling. Lastly, the environmental artificial intelligence session will examine the role of modern technologies in resource management, monitoring coastal changes, satellite utilisation for vegetation tracking, and real-time data analytics to inform future ecological sustainability plans.