World Green Economy Summit 2026 to Chart Course for Scaling Sustainable Solutions
Dubai will host the 12th World Green Economy Summit, bringing together over 3,300 participants and 80 international speakers to explore pathways for accelerating the transition to a sustainable global economy valued at more than US$5 trillion annually.
The World Green Economy Summit (WGES) will convene in Dubai on 21st and 22nd October, establishing itself as a pivotal forum for advancing the sustainable economy that has achieved unprecedented scale and continues to expand at remarkable velocity. Organised under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the 12th edition of this distinguished gathering carries the theme ‘From Success to Scale: Showcasing the Green Economy’, reflecting a deliberate shift from foundational achievements towards expansive implementation.
The summit will unite more than 3,300 attendees representing international expertise and thought leadership, accompanied by over 80 speakers addressing four principal thematic pillars: Energy Technology & Infrastructure, Business Strategy & Transition, Water & Food Security and Finance. Three cross-cutting dimensions—Artificial Intelligence, Governance and System Enablers encompassing Supply Chains and Circular Economy—will weave through discussions, recognising the interconnected nature of contemporary sustainability challenges.
The global green economy has surpassed US$5 trillion in annual value, with projections indicating expansion to exceed US$7 trillion by 2030. This expansion reflects a fundamental transformation in corporate performance, with enterprises generating revenues from green markets experiencing growth at rates double those of conventional business operations. Technological advancement has catalysed this transition, particularly through dramatic cost reductions: solar photovoltaic technology and lithium battery expenses have declined approximately 90 percent since 2010.
The United Arab Emirates exemplifies successful translation of sustainability strategy into tangible achievement. The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park represents a landmark undertaking, with production capacity scheduled to exceed 8,000 megawatts by 2030, expanding from its current 3,860 megawatts. Clean energy presently constitutes more than 21.5 percent of DEWA’s total production capacity, demonstrating the nation’s commitment to decarbonisation at scale.
Regional momentum continues to accelerate across the Middle East and North Africa, where operational renewable energy capacity reached 43.7 gigawatts by the end of 2025, representing approximately 44 percent growth over the preceding period. The project pipeline encompasses approximately 202 gigawatts, indicating substantial future expansion. Nevertheless, global climate finance, whilst exceeding US$2 trillion, falls significantly short of requirements; at least US$6.3 trillion in annual climate investment will be necessary until 2030 to mitigate the most severe consequences of climatic change.
The summit will amplify the UAE’s commitment to embedding sustainability throughout policy, economic development and institutional decision-making, whilst emphasising the critical importance of mobilising private capital through innovative sustainable finance mechanisms. The role of blended finance in Gulf economies will receive particular attention, recognising the catalytic potential of strategic capital deployment.
Further information and registration details are available at http://www.wges.ae. Source: WAM