The World Green Economy Summit (WGES) is set to return on 1-2 October 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, focusing on accelerating the adoption of clean and renewable energy worldwide. The event is held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Organised annually by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), and the World Green Economy Organization (WGEO), this year’s summit will take place under the theme ‘Innovating for Impact: Accelerating the Future of the Green Economy.’ The summit aligns with both the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030 and the UAE’s strategy to promote resource sustainability and economic growth through innovative solutions.
HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, MD and CEO of DEWA, and Chairman of WGEO said: “International data indicates accelerating growth in clean energy production capacity globally. This reflects a shift in priorities toward sustainable, low-emission energy sources, especially in light of increasing energy demand from data centres and artificial intelligence (AI), and the global pursuit of carbon neutrality. Through the World Green Economy Summit, which brings together decision-makers, thought leaders and global experts, we help to accelerate the adoption of clean and renewable energy by facilitating dialogue between the public and private sectors, financial institutions and international organisations in key areas such as clean energy, sustainable finance and green technology. This platform supports effective partnerships, stimulates innovation and shares best practices to achieve a sustainable future for us and generations to come.”
Artificial intelligence will be one focus area at WGES 2025. Dr Amalia Pantazidis, President of Lummus Consultants International said: “With AI, we can optimise the performance of key sectors of the energy value chain – including renewable power, refining and petrochemical production – to make complex, carbon-intensive industrial operations more sustainable. Predictive maintenance, real-time optimisation, smart forecasting and other digital tools are not just improving efficiency – they are making clean energy more reliable, economic and accessible. At Lummus, we are integrating AI and digital solutions to help our customers unlock new levels of energy efficiency, waste reduction, resilience and lower emissions.”
Jessica Scopacasa from Olive Gaea added: “Climate urgency is rising, and action must follow. AI offers a powerful path to accelerate decarbonisation and make sustainability a true source of value – not just a reporting exercise. But we must build and use it ethically, transparently and with long-term impact in mind.”
Stwart Peña Feliz from MacroCycle Technologies commented: “Circularity can only be achieved by bringing together all the stakeholders across the value chain. This event is a monumental opportunity to engage in fruitful conversations to achieve an economical pathway towards true circularity.”
Green hydrogen will also feature prominently at WGES 2025 as it plays an important role in supporting energy storage needs as well as cross-border transport—key factors for enhancing both security https://www.iea.org/reports/global-hydrogen-review-2023/energy-security-and-diversification-of-supply-chains-and-infrastructure-development#section-4-1-2-diversification-of-supply-chains-and-infrastructure-development-and diversification within global markets. The UAE’s National Hydrogen Strategy 2050 aims for significant production targets by 2031 through investments in infrastructure development https://u.ae/en/about-the-uae/strategies-initiatives-and-awards/federal-governments-strategies-and-plans/national-hydrogen-strategy#:~:text=The%20UAE%20launched%20the%20National,and%20export%20hub%20by%202031., research initiatives https://www.energy.gov.ae/en/initiatives-projects/hydrogen-leadership-roadmap/, international partnerships https://www.dewa.gov.ae/en/about-us/media-publications/latest-news/2023/06/dewa-signs-mou-with-german-company-uniper-to-collaborate-on-green-hydrogen-production-and-utilisation-in-dubai/, as well as promotion efforts.
Elie Adaimy from Gulf Cryo Group stated: “Green hydrogen has captured global imagination – but imagination alone won’t decarbonise heavy industry or fuel our future. To move from MoUs to megawatts, and to start building a new energy economy, we must move from pilot projects to scalable deployment, with bold policy, bankable offtake agreements and regional co-operation, turning ambition into reality.”
Critical minerals needed for manufacturing batteries or renewable technologies such as wind turbines or solar panels remain essential components within this transition; demand for lithium could increase over fortyfold by 2040 according to International Energy Agency estimates https://www.iea.org/reports/the-role-of-critical-minerals-in-clean-energy-transitions/executive-summary#. Graphite; cobalt; nickel may grow twenty-to-twenty-five times their current levels while copper demand could more than double—all pointing toward an urgent need for responsible supply chains.
Energy storage is another key topic due at WGES this year since stable grids depend on effective storage systems amid growing reliance on intermittent renewables like solar or wind power. Grid-scale battery capacity has increased significantly—from about ten gigawatts globally in 2020 up nearly threefold by 2022—and projections show continued rapid expansion driven by advances in battery technology along with cost reductions https://www.iea.org/reports/world-energy-outlook-2023/outlook-for-electricity#abstract/.
WGES serves as a platform that brings together decision-makers across sectors—including investors; academic institutions; international organizations—to discuss strategies shaping tomorrow’s resilient efficient inclusive global energy system.
