135 global thought leaders, decision-makers and experts to speak at World Green Economy Summit 2026

Under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and the World Green Economy Organization (WGEO) will organise the 12th edition of the World Green Economy Summit (WGES) on 21-22 October 2026 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

The summit, which will be held this year under the theme ‘From Success to Scale: Showcasing the Green Economy’, will host 135 speakers, including ministers, business leaders, government officials, decision-makers, experts and innovators from around the world. They will exchange insights, ideas and expertise, while highlighting successful initiatives and models that can be scaled up to accelerate the transition to a green economy.

“The World Green Economy Summit brings together prominent global leaders and experts who are shaping the future of industries and sectors related to the green economy. This diversity of perspectives and expertise adds a practical dimension to the discussions hosted by the summit. We are committed to ensuring that the summit continues to serve as a platform for bridging perspectives and fostering collaboration among governments, the private sector, investors, international organisations and innovators. This contributes to transforming knowledge and expertise into impactful and sustainable partnerships and initiatives,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, MD & CEO of DEWA and Chairman of WGEO.

“The current stage requires a faster shift from ambition to implementation, and from successful experiences to scalable models with broader impact. The summit’s speakers, representing diverse sectors and experiences, make an important contribution to this effort by enriching discussions on the opportunities and challenges facing the green economy and highlighting practical solutions that support growth, resilience and sustainability,” added Al Tayer.

Arshad Mansoor, President and CEO of the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), said: “I am honoured to participate in the coming World Green Economy Summit, and grateful to His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, DEWA and the summit’s organisers for convening this important global forum. WGES brings together leaders, innovators and policymakers to advance practical solutions that can accelerate progress towards a more sustainable energy future. I look forward to joining fellow leaders in Dubai to exchange ideas, strengthen collaboration and explore how innovation can deliver meaningful impact for society.”

Bashar Al-Natoor, MD and Global Head of Islamic Finance at Fitch Ratings, said: “I look forward to speaking at the World Green Economy Summit 2026 and contributing to the discussion on how capital markets can help mobilise funding for sustainable investment. The region has made tangible progress in building its sustainable finance ecosystem, supported by regulatory initiatives, growing investor demand and broader issuer participation across both bonds and sukuk. Looking ahead, further development of ESG sukuk, bonds and sustainability-linked instruments will be important to help finance renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure and climate resilience projects. Continued market development, standardisation and investor engagement will be key to strengthening the GCC’s position in global sustainable finance.”

Nick Falkowski, co-founder and CEO of Meaningful Planet, said: “The economy of the future will be a green economy. That is why I am honoured to participate in the World Green Economy Summit. By bringing together industry, governments and high impact organisations to exchange knowledge, build meaningful partnerships and catalyse tangible action, WGES plays an important role in turning ambition into practical action and accelerating the transition to a greener, more resilient future.”

Avinash Kumar, President and co-founder of Earthood, an ESG and decarbonisation business, said: “At the World Green Economy Summit, I look forward to exploring how the GCC can move from viewing green bonds primarily as financing instruments to using them as strategic tools for economic transformation. Done well, green finance can help the region attract capital, accelerate its transition and demonstrate that climate action and long-term economic value can advance together.”

The summit’s agenda reflects the broad range of topics addressed this year, focusing on four main thematic pillars: Energy Technology & Infrastructure; Business Strategy & Transition; Water & Food Security; and Finance. It will also explore three cross-cutting themes: Artificial Intelligence; Governance; and System Enablers, including supply chains and the circular economy.

Together, these themes provide a comprehensive framework for advancing the green transition by integrating technology, investment, policy, resource resilience and economic systems.