Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
Under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) returns on Sunday in its largest edition yet with a lineup of new programmes on AI, nuclear and cyber energy, water security, and global south development.
Hosted by Masdar under the theme “The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go”, the week will explore the deployment of advanced technologies to strengthen resilience, adaptation, and large-scale impact across energy, finance, food, and water sectors.
“Thanks to the gracious patronage and continued support of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week continues to strengthen its leadership as a global platform that brings together leaders, decision-makers, investors, and experts, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for dialogue, partnership-building, and investment opportunities,” said Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, during a press conference on Wednesday.
Running until January 15, the week will see the launch of the Blue Economy Forum, focusing on water security and aiming to attract investments in the sector.
“This expanded programme reflects the global message of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, which emphasises the need to bring vision and action together, and to transform ambitions into practical, actionable plans,” Al Ramahi said.
ADSW will commence with the convening of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) General Assembly on January 11, themed “Powering Humanity – Renewable Energy for Shared Prosperity”.
The assembly will host over 1,500 ministers, high-level delegates, industry leaders, and investors to advance a global energy agenda for 2026.
“The global energy transition is entering a decisive decade,” Francesco La Camera, IRENA Director-General, said on Wednesday. “Electricity is projected to become the dominant energy carrier, powering more than half of final energy consumption by 2050.”
IRENA believes that digitalisation will be critical to managing this transformation.
“I am confident that ADSW 2026 will play a pivotal role in exploring how advanced technologies can drive sustainable development,” La Camera said.
From January 13 to 15, the World Future Energy Summit will occupy nine exhibition halls, featuring more than 350 speakers and hundreds of international exhibitors.
Leen Alsebai, General Manager of RX Middle East and Head of the World Future Energy Summit, revealed that this year’s edition will introduce the AI and Technology Hub, which will feature over 70 high-growth start-ups, more than 30 AI-driven companies, dedicated hydrogen and cyber tech zones, and a China-focused innovation zone delivered in partnership with SIEF.
WFES 2026 will also debut the Nuclear Pavilion, the Cyber Pavilion, and a new on-site cinema experience created in partnership with Greenpeace to showcase sustainability stories and raise awareness on global environmental challenges.
On January 13, the Zayed Sustainability Prize will recognise 11 winners across six categories: Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action, and Global High Schools.
“These winners were selected from over 7,000 submissions spanning 173 countries, and they will join a global community of 128 Prize recipients, whose work has improved the lives of more than 400 million people,” said Dr Lamya Fawwaz, Executive Director of Brand and Strategic Initiatives at Masdar and Executive Director of the Zayed Sustainability Prize.
The Prize will also host high-level dialogues, investor engagements, and an immersive pavilion showcasing its 18-year impact.
January 14 will see the WiSER Annual Forum, highlighting women’s role in driving inclusive and transformative growth, and the launch of the Global South Forum.
Ali Alshimmari, Managing Director and CEO of Global South Utilities (GSU), said: “Across the Global South, progress is never delivered by capital alone, or policy alone, or execution alone. It is delivered when governments, investors, and operators move together with a shared responsibility and real urgency.”
He explained that this forum is designed as a working platform, focused on implementation, investment, and execution in emerging markets.
According to Al Ramahi, ADSW 2026 coincides with the 20th anniversary of Masdar, one of the world’s largest renewable energy companies, with a broad project portfolio spanning more than 40 countries.
The company has already achieved more than half of its 100-gigawatt target for 2030. In 2025 alone, its existing and committed investments reached nearly $15 billion across new assets and projects.
