Dubai will host the 11th World Green Economy Summit (WGES) this October, bringing together global leaders, investors and experts to accelerate the transition to sustainable economies.
The two-day event, scheduled for 1–2 October at the Dubai World Trade Centre, will run under the theme “Innovating for Impact: Accelerating the Future of the Green Economy.”
Organised by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and the World Green Economy Organization (WGEO), the summit will convene policymakers, private sector leaders, financiers and academics to explore solutions to urgent environmental challenges.
Focus on finance and innovation
WGES 2025 will examine the intersection of rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI), the growth of data centres, and the urgent need to transform energy systems. Sessions will focus on climate finance, scaling up renewable energy, and innovative financial mechanisms designed to reduce risks and attract private investment into green projects.
HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, MD & CEO of DEWA, and Chairman of WGEO, highlighted the scale of global investment needed for the green transition.
“Global investments in clean technologies, including renewable energy, grids and storage, are projected to exceed USD2.2 trillion in 2025, double the investment in fossil fuels, within a total global investment of USD3.3 trillion,” he said.
“However, developing countries continue to face a significant financing gap, requiring an increase in annual clean energy investments from USD270 billion to approximately USD1.6 trillion by the early 2030s. This underscores the need for innovative international coordination to reduce capital costs and mitigate investment risks.”
Bridging the investment gap
The summit aims to address barriers that prevent investment-ready green projects from attracting funding. Proposals under discussion include enhanced risk-sharing mechanisms, such as guarantees from international financial institutions, to mobilise greater capital flows.
Organisers emphasise that the event will showcase practical solutions and new business models that can be replicated across regions. By convening a broad spectrum of stakeholders, from government officials to technology innovators, WGES seeks to build global partnerships that advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and support countries’ net-zero commitments.
Dubai’s climate leadership
Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the summit reflects Dubai’s ambition to position itself as a leading hub for climate action and sustainable innovation.
Each year, the event reinforces Dubai’s role in driving dialogue on energy transitions and mobilising resources for the global shift to a green economy. With climate finance, renewable energy deployment and digital transformation at its core, WGES 2025 is expected to provide critical momentum ahead of key international climate negotiations.
