The 11th World Green Economy Summit (WGES) officially opened today at the Dubai World Trade Centre under the theme “Innovating for Impact: Accelerating the Future of the Green Economy.” The two-day summit, organised by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), and the World Green Economy Organization (WGEO), runs until 2 October 2025.

The opening plenary, “Green Technology for Resilience: Innovations in Smart Climate Solutions,” featured global sustainability leaders including Saeed Al Abbar (AESG), Stwart Peña Feliz (MacroCycle Technologies), and Seneca Cottom (Alshaya Group). Speakers underlined that climate-related damages cost the global economy more than $320 billion in 2024, stressing that the biggest challenge is integration—aligning capital, policy, and innovation to accelerate deployment of sustainable projects.

Discussions highlighted the GCC’s leadership, particularly Dubai’s large-scale sustainable urban development. Speakers urged businesses to pilot new models, embed sustainability into products and codes, and empower consumers through education, incentives, and recycling.

A key presentation by WGEO addressed “Unpacking WGEO Participation at COP30,” underscoring its role ahead of the 2025 climate summit in Belém, Brazil. The session emphasised the UAE’s leadership in resilience, climate finance, and bankable green projects aligned with the UAE Consensus and the Just Transition Work Programme.

During the opening, bestselling author and food sustainability advocate Michael Pollan warned that agriculture contributes up to 50% of global emissions, linking food systems to deforestation, methane, and fertiliser use. He argued for regenerative agriculture—reduced tillage, cover cropping, and crop diversity—as a solution to restore soil carbon and mitigate climate change. Pollan also hosted a session “Fireside Chat with Michael Pollan,” where he stressed the need to transform food systems away from fossil-fuel-intensive, wasteful practices.

The morning also included a high-level panel marking 10 Years of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, with leaders from ACWA Power, Masdar, Shanghai Electric, and Deloitte. Speakers emphasised visionary leadership, the transition to renewables, and the role of AI, green hydrogen, and storage solutions in ensuring affordable, reliable clean energy.

Youth engagement featured prominently in a keynote by HH Sheikha Dr Shamma bint Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan, who urged harnessing social media as a powerful tool for raising climate awareness and mobilising youth.

In parallel sessions, experts explored themes including:

• AI & Sustainability – with insights from Microsoft, Huawei, and Moro Hub on balancing AI’s energy demand with green infrastructure.
• Health & Climate – highlighting the impact of heatwaves, food insecurity, and diseases on human health.
• Climate Justice – addressing just transition, equity, and workforce adaptation.
• Green Hydrogen – assessing the readiness of hydrogen to power clean mobility and heavy industries.
• Water Security – presenting the UAE’s leadership in renewable-powered desalination, wastewater reuse, and smart irrigation.
• Climate Governance – with global leaders debating reforms for COP and the multilateral system.

The summit continues tomorrow with sessions on green financing, carbon markets, food and water security, and will feature the Emirates Energy Award ceremony, TEDx talks, ministerial roundtables, and closing sessions.