World Green Economy Summit 2026 to Examine Governance’s Role in Driving Global Green Transition
The 12th edition of WGES will convene in Dubai this October to explore how effective policy frameworks and regulatory structures can bridge the gap between climate ambitions and implementation across key global markets.
The World Green Economy Summit will hold its 12th edition on 21 and 22 October 2026 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, under the distinguished patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Organised by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and the World Green Economy Organization (WGEO), the summit will examine the critical role of governance in accelerating the global transition to a green economy under the theme ‘From Success to Scale: Showcasing the Green Economy’.
The 2026 edition will structure its discussions around four principal thematic pillars: Energy Technology & Infrastructure; Business Strategy & Transition; Water & Food Security; and Finance. Additionally, three cross-cutting themes will be explored: Artificial Intelligence, Governance and System Enablers. This multifaceted approach will bring together an international assembly of decision-makers, business leaders, investors, infrastructure experts and representatives from government, private sector and academic institutions to examine how sound governance frameworks bridge the divide between environmental aspiration and practical realisation.
Key discussions will address the influence of policy and regulation on decision-making within major markets, the expansion of global carbon markets and their trade implications, and the evolving significance of international climate agreements in advancing green economic principles. HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and MD & CEO of DEWA, emphasised that the summit positions governance at the forefront of accelerating the green transition, whilst advancing artificial intelligence governance, strengthening resilient policy development and supporting strategic leadership grounded in innovation and digital transformation.
The UAE’s governance achievements will feature prominently, with the nation ranked as the world’s fifth most competitive nation according to the International Institute for Management Development in Lausanne, Switzerland, and securing its position among the global top 10 in the 2026 Chandler Good Government Index.
Speakers at the summit have highlighted the expanding role of sustainable finance in directing capital towards climate priorities. Bashar Al-Natoor, MD and Global Head of Islamic Finance at Fitch Ratings, noted that outstanding ESG bonds and sukuk in the GCC have exceeded USD70 billion, playing an increasingly vital role in supporting climate objectives and economic diversification. Avinash Kumar, President and co-founder of Earthood, emphasised the potential for green finance to serve as a strategic transformation tool, enabling the region to attract capital and demonstrate that climate action and long-term economic value advancement operate in concert.
Source: WAM