WGES 2025 in Dubai to Drive Global Green Economy Agenda

Dubai will once again take the global stage in October 2025 as it hosts the 11th edition of the World Green Economy Summit, an event that has grown into one of the most important international platforms for climate action, innovation, and sustainability. The gathering, scheduled for October 1 and 2 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, is being organised by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, and the World Green Economy Organization. It will take place under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and will carry the theme “Innovating for Impact: Accelerating the Future of the Green Economy.”

The summit will bring together a select group of influential leaders, innovators, and decision-makers from around the world. Those expected to attend include former President of Finland Sauli Niinistö, Her Highness Sheikha Dr Shamma bint Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Seychelles’ Minister of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment Flavien Joubert, Madagascar’s Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development Max Andonirina Fontaine, and Maldives’ Minister of State for Tourism and Environment Muaviyath Mohamed. Their participation underscores the global relevance of the summit and the wide recognition of Dubai as a hub for convening international dialogue on pressing environmental challenges.

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At the heart of WGES 2025 will be a focus on seven critical pillars shaping the future of the global green economy: technology and innovation, clean and renewable energy, regulation and policy frameworks, finance, climate equity, adaptation and resilience, and youth in climate action. The discussions are expected to highlight transformative solutions to combat climate change, while ensuring that communities in developing regions are empowered and that cooperation across borders and sectors is strengthened. Public-private partnerships will be central to this dialogue, as countries and companies alike look for ways to share resources and expertise in building a more sustainable and inclusive future.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of DEWA, and Chairman of WGEO, stressed that the summit builds directly on the vision of the UAE’s leadership. He described WGES as a global venue that pushes forward investment in clean energy generation and storage technologies, artificial intelligence applications for climate solutions, and circular economy models that reduce waste and environmental harm. According to him, the transition to a green economy is not only an environmental necessity but also an economic opportunity, with the potential to drive growth, create employment, and ensure a resilient global future.

Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, the UAE’s Minister of Climate Change and Environment, described the green economy as both an urgent environmental imperative and a strategic economic pathway. She pointed to the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 initiative and Circular Economy Policy as clear examples of how sustainability can support national development goals while opening new industries and generating employment. For her, the summit is a reminder that only through international collaboration and partnerships between governments and private companies can the transition to a green economy be accelerated.

From outside the UAE, participants will bring their own urgent perspectives. Flavien Joubert of the Seychelles called attention to the finite nature of the planet’s resources, noting that all nations must recognize the limits of what the earth can endure. Madagascar’s Max Andonirina Fontaine spoke in deeply personal terms, saying that climate justice is not an abstract concept for his country but a daily struggle, as citizens face droughts, floods, and lost livelihoods. He argued that the global green transition must be just and fair if it is to succeed, protecting the vulnerable and creating opportunities in places that need them most. Muaviyath Mohamed of the Maldives emphasized the particular challenges of small island states, where rising seas and changing ecosystems threaten not only the environment but also national survival.

Other voices will expand the conversation even further. Najeeb Saab, Secretary General of the Arab Forum for Environment and Development, stressed that the Arab world, vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, must accelerate its shift away from fossil fuels, while continuing to diversify its economies and invest in renewable energy. Naila Farouky, CEO of the Arab Foundations Forum, highlighted the importance of philanthropy and civil society in providing regional solutions to the climate crisis, noting that Arab foundations are working to support frontline communities and long-term sustainability.

Science and innovation will also take centre stage at WGES 2025. Tarifa Alzaabi, Director General of the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture, underlined the need for scientific research that translates into practical strategies for agriculture, food security, and water conservation in some of the most climate-stressed regions of the world. Cambridge professor Nazia M. Habib drew attention to the need for fairness in the transition to green economies, raising questions about who gains, who bears the cost, and how institutions can sustain change. Author Michael Pollan described the summit as a rare opportunity to reshape the global narrative around energy, food, and climate, while entrepreneur Anand Verma explained how artificial intelligence is already being used to increase the efficiency of renewable energy and track carbon emissions.

The gathering will also welcome figures from the private sector, finance, and youth movements, including representatives from Siemens, ACWA Power, the Securities and Commodities Authority, and former COP28 youth delegates. This diversity of participants, from policymakers to scientists to innovators, reflects the summit’s ambition to serve as a comprehensive forum for tackling climate change and building a greener economy.

The importance of WGES extends far beyond its sessions in Dubai. The summit is taking place at a time when climate challenges are intensifying globally. Rising temperatures, severe droughts, floods, and biodiversity loss are already shaping economies and societies, especially in vulnerable regions. The summit’s aim is not only to address these urgent risks but also to outline the opportunities that come from innovation, renewable energy, and sustainable investment.

By uniting governments, businesses, researchers, and civil society, WGES 2025 positions Dubai once again at the centre of the international conversation on sustainability. For the UAE, it is also another chance to showcase its commitment to climate action and its readiness to contribute to solutions that extend far beyond its borders. For participants, it will be a chance to shape a collective vision of a just, inclusive, and innovative green economy for the decades ahead.