Dubai, UAE — 15 November 2025: Under the patronage of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment the inaugural edition of Myplant & Garden Middle East 2025 opened today at the Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City Dubai. The exhibition was officially inaugurated by HE Dr. Mohammed Salman Alhammadi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Food Diversity Sector at MOCCAE, alongside HE Marwan Ahmed Bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, in the presence of government officials, international delegations and key industry stakeholders.

The launch of this exhibition marks an important milestone for the UAE and the wider region as nations accelerate efforts to build climate-resilient, nature-positive cities aligned with ‘We the UAE Vision 2031’ and broader sustainability frameworks. It also reflects the growing strength of the GCC’s green economy, where horticulture, landscape innovation and sustainable infrastructure are gaining increasing strategic relevance.

Senior representatives from across government, research institutions and global industry took part in the inaugural tour, including HE Lorenzo Fanara, Ambassador of Italy to the UAE; Andreas Kipar, member of the World Economic Forum Nature-Positive Cities Task Force and Chairman of Green City Italia; Francesco Santa, CEO of IEG Middle East; and Mirco Carloni, President of the XIII Commission (Agriculture) of the Italian Chamber of Deputies. Their presence underscored the high level of international cooperation driving the region’s transition towards sustainable urban environments.

HE Dr. Mohammed Salman Alhammadi affirmed that “Myplant & Garden Middle East 2025” touches the core of the UAE’s directives and strategic vision, stating: “We believe that horticulture and the green sector play a major role in the urban planning of our sustainable cities and communities. Building smart, liveable, and climate-adaptive cities requires us to innovatively adopt ‘Nature-based Solutions’.”

His Excellency added: “Our vision transcends aesthetics to emphasise the strong relationship between green cities and food security. Through innovation in agricultural technologies and urban farming, we can transform our urban spaces into productive and sustainable ecosystems. This ambition cannot be achieved without collaboration, and international partnership is the key to success. We are pleased to see this strong momentum from our international partners in transferring expertise and the latest

innovations to the region. This exhibition is a true platform for building partnerships and delivering practical solutions for future cities right here, from the land of the UAE.”

More than 100 exhibitors from around the world are showcasing cutting-edge solutions for arid-climate horticulture, sustainable irrigation, climate-adaptive plant production, outdoor and landscape design, and next-generation smart greenhouse technologies. These innovations respond directly to the environmental challenges facing the region, including water scarcity, high summer temperatures and the increasing need for desertification mitigation through strategic landscaping.

Across three days, the exhibition will host a diverse programme of conferences, expert roundtables and technical workshops that examine the region’s environmental priorities. Discussions will explore nature-positive urban planning, resilient plant production, water resource management, biodiversity restoration, climate-adaptive landscaping, and the integration of biophilic and circular design principles into the built environment. Specialists will also address how intelligent irrigation systems, native species cultivation and interconnected green corridors can transform cities into cooler, healthier and more liveable spaces.

The strong engagement from government bodies, research institutions and international stakeholders reinforces the importance of Myplant & Garden Middle East as a platform guiding future policy, institutional collaboration and investment in green infrastructure. The insights shared throughout the event reflect a growing regional commitment to integrating sustainable landscaping, public gardens and biodiversity-rich public spaces into major real-estate, tourism and urban development projects.

Valeria Randazzo, Exhibition Director of Myplant & Garden Middle East, noted that the conversations taking place during the exhibition will play a key role in shaping the trajectory of the region’s cities. “Green spaces are an essential component of a future-ready city. This exhibition brings global expertise and regional ambition together, accelerating pathways towards sustainable horticulture, advanced irrigation solutions and resilient landscape design. These conversations will shape the development of greener cities throughout the Middle East,” she said.

Day One concluded with a strong emphasis on the need to reimagine urban environments as nature-positive and climate-resilient spaces that support both environmental health and human wellbeing. Discussions highlighted how outdoor environments influence real-estate value, community cohesion and long-term sustainability, while also acknowledging the growing demand for greener developments across the GCC. With its robust international participation, comprehensive technical agenda and the endorsement of leading government authorities, Myplant & Garden Middle East 2025 stands as a landmark event for the regional horticulture and landscaping sector. It sets the foundation for reshaping Middle Eastern cities into sustainable, biodiverse ecosystems that advance public wellbeing, drive investment and strengthen climate resilience for generations to come.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, inaugurated the summit, which brought together world leaders, ministers, senior officials, and experts from around the globe.

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, MD and CEO of DEWA, and Chairman of WGEO, stressed that WGES has become a pioneering international platform supporting the green economy and strengthening the UAE’s global role in climate action and sustainable development. He noted that the summit provides a space for dialogue on policies and strategies, the exchange of expertise, and the development of innovative solutions that balance economic growth with environmental protection, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030.

Al Tayer highlighted that this year’s edition was also an opportunity to showcase the UAE’s successful model in achieving harmony between economic progress and sustainability, while sharing key experiences in renewable energy and green technology that reinforce the nation’s leadership in advancing the global green economy.

Practical steps to accelerate the green transition

HE Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said: “The World Green Economy Summit 2025 reflects the UAE’s commitment to translating the outcomes of COP28 into practical steps that support the transition toward a sustainable green economy. It is also a leading global platform for dialogue and partnership-building, where the UAE continues to drive investment in clean energy, reduce emissions, and pioneer innovative solutions that safeguard both economic growth and the environment.”

He underlined that the UAE has established itself as a global model in climate action with landmark strategies such as the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, the National Hydrogen Strategy 2050, and the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, complemented by strategic clean energy investments.

A global platform for innovation

HE Dr Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, said: “The World Green Economy Summit embodies the UAE’s forward-looking vision to scale the latest advances in technology across industries along a unified pathway of sustainable growth. Guided by wise leadership, WGES highlights our determination to harness renewable and low-carbon energy, artificial intelligence, and sustainable manufacturing as enablers of smart industrial development.”

He added that WGES strengthens the UAE’s position as a catalyst for international cooperation and innovation, accelerating progress toward a low-carbon economy and laying the foundations for sustainable and competitive industries.

Driving global collaboration

HE Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, emphasised that the UAE remains committed to fostering climate resilience and accelerating the energy transition. He noted that WGES provides a crucial meeting point for leaders and innovators to collaborate, share insights, and forge pathways that bolster growth while safeguarding the planet for future generations.

A firm commitment to sustainability

HE Dr Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said: “The World Green Economy Summit affirms the UAE’s commitment to a sustainable future, where the green economy represents both an environmental necessity and a significant economic opportunity. Through strategic investment in sustainable projects, we can create new industries, generate employment, and demonstrate how sustainability and economic growth advance in tandem.”

She added that frameworks such as the Net Zero 2050 Initiative and the Circular Economy Policy illustrate the UAE’s commitment to long-term sustainable development, underscoring the importance of public-private cooperation in accelerating the transition to a green economy.

Global engagement

WGES 2025 featured a range of high-level sessions, including a ministerial dialogue on ‘Delivering Climate Ambition by 2030 and Beyond – United Action for Green Transition’ with participation from ministers, ambassadors, and delegates from the 91 member countries of the Global Alliance on Green Economy (GAGE).

The summit also hosted a key session titled ‘Advancing the Tangier Declaration: A Road Map for Carbon Neutral Cities in Africa’, which addressed integrating decarbonisation into urban development plans, mobilising climate finance, and developing bankable projects in key sectors. In addition, dozens of expert-led sessions and seminars explored diverse aspects of sustainability, innovation, and green transition.

In the presence of HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, the agreement was signed by Nasser Lootah, Executive Vice President of DEWA’s Generation Division (Power & Water), and Waheed Abbasi, Senior Vice President at Siemens Energy Gas Services, Middle East & North Africa, and Europe. Officials from DEWA and Siemens Energy were present. The agreement was signed during the 27^th edition of the Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (WETEX), which DEWA is organising from 30 September until 2 October 2025.

Al Tayer said: “We work in line with the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. We continue our efforts to consolidate sustainability and leverage the full potential of AI to enhance power and water infrastructure. Our aim is to make DEWA the world’s first AI-native utility and reinforce Dubai’s position as one of the world’s most future-ready cities. This world-first achievement of operating an AI Plant Intelligent Controller, developed by DEWA’s team led by Emirati specialists in collaboration with the Siemens Energy team, adds to our long history of innovation to improve operational performance, achieve significant fuel and cost savings and reduce emissions to contribute to reaching net zero by 2050.”

Abbasi said: “This project reflects our commitment to support our partners’ vision for a sustainable future. AI is not just a tool but a catalyst for digital transformation in the energy sector – helping to design and deliver road maps that accelerate the transition to cleaner, more reliable power. By embedding AI into the heart of the energy transition, we are enabling our partners to turn ambition into action and drive meaningful progress toward a net-zero future.”

Lootah said: “The mutual co-operation between DEWA and Siemens Energy throughout the years led to exceptional results in improving operational efficiency and the reduction of emissions by utilising AI and machine learning.” He also stressed that these technologies will continue to play a vital role in further improving business operational efficiency in many years to come. The Plant Intelligent Controller uses AI and digital twin-based closed-loop controllers to enhance the ability of power plants to adapt to changing grid requirements, ensuring optimal performance throughout the year while reducing fuel consumption and improving efficiency.