Next Wednesday, Dubai will host the twelfth edition of the Global Green Economy Summit, a pivotal event dedicated to accelerating the transition towards a sustainable economy valued at over $5 trillion annually, with projections suggesting it could reach $7 trillion by 2030.
Focus of the Summit
The summit, taking place on 21-22 October, carries the theme “From Achievement to Expansion: Spotlighting the Green Economy.” Organised by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, and the Global Green Economy Organisation, the event is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai.
Participants and Discussions
With over 3,300 participants and 80 international speakers expected, the summit aims to facilitate knowledge sharing across four key areas: energy technologies and infrastructure, business strategies and sustainable transformation, water and food security, and financing. These themes will intersect with three additional topics, including artificial intelligence, governance, and enabling economic systems, represented by supply chains and circular economy principles. According to the World Economic Forum, businesses reliant on green markets are experiencing growth double that of traditional sectors, spurred by a remarkable 90% drop in solar energy and lithium battery costs since 2010.
UAE as a Model for Sustainability
His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, Managing Director and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, and President of the Global Green Economy Organisation, emphasised the importance of scaling solutions and accelerating their implementation. He noted that the UAE and Dubai serve as practical models, turning visions into tangible projects, exemplified by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, whose capacity is set to exceed 8,000 megawatts by 2030 from the current 3,860 megawatts, while the contribution of clean energy is anticipated to surpass 21.5% of the Authority’s capacity.
Global Climate Action Developments
The summit will highlight recent developments in climate action both regionally and globally. By the end of 2025, renewable energy capacity in the Middle East and North Africa is projected to reach 43.7 gigawatts, marking a 44% increase, with 202 gigawatts of projects currently under development. Conversely, while global climate financing has surpassed $2 trillion, an estimated $6.3 trillion is still needed by 2030 to avert severe climate impacts.
Highlighted Voices at the Summit
Preparations for the summit have seen contributions from prominent speakers. Eng. Aisha Al Abdooli, Director of the Green Development and Environment Affairs Department at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, underscored the UAE’s commitment to sustainability through economic policies and decisions. In addition, Sayed Adil Abbas, the regional climate change coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa at the World Bank, highlighted the importance of mobilising private capital and sustainable financing. Meanwhile, Joanne Laria, CEO of Convergence Blended Finance, showcased the Gulf’s role in leveraging blended financing. Darren Kimura, President and CEO of AI squared, warned of the need to develop sustainable energy infrastructure to meet the growing demands of artificial intelligence technologies.
Registration Information
For registration, please visit the official website: www.wges.ae.