Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026 will commence next week from January 11 to 15, hosted by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, Masdar. The event will gather heads of state, ministers, and government officials alongside business leaders, investors, and innovators to tackle pressing sustainability challenges and develop action plans aimed at accelerating global sustainable development.
Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, stated during a press conference yesterday that Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week now represents the largest global gathering to discuss urgent sustainability issues, and this year’s edition will be the most extensive since the week’s inception, offering broader perspectives and aspirations.
He further noted, “This week is taking place at a time that necessitates aligning existing systems with those needed in the future. The 2026 edition carries the theme ‘A Comprehensive Launch Towards the Future’, representing an opportunity to lead global efforts for tangible positive change and to build a better future for all.”
Al Ramahi highlighted that discussions during the week will focus on making significant advancements in energy systems. This year also marks Masdar’s 20th anniversary, solidifying its leadership in the renewable energy sector. He emphasized that Masdar’s approach is grounded in fostering fruitful partnerships, a principle that also underpins Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, which serves as a platform for international collaboration paving the way for effective outcomes with widespread impact. The goal of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026 is to establish a new global standard for enhancing cooperation and making a tangible difference.
The event will provide opportunities for experts and specialists from energy, finance, food, water, and environmental sectors to develop innovative solutions that can support interconnections between these systems, expand their impact, and enhance integration among them.
Alongside Masdar’s CEO, participants in the press conference included Francesco La Camera, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA); Mohammed Saleh Al Hadrami, Director of Energy and Water Efficiency at the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy and key partner for Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week; and Ali Al Shahry, Managing Director and CEO of Global South Utilities.
Also present were Dr. Lamya Nuwaf Fawaz, Executive Director of Corporate Identity and Strategic Initiatives at Masdar and Director of the Zayed Sustainability Prize; and Lynn Al Suwaidi, Chair of the World Future Energy Summit and General Manager of RX Middle East.
Francesco La Camera commented, “The global energy transition is entering a critical decade, with electricity expected to become the primary energy source, providing more than half of the final energy consumption by 2050.
This year’s theme, ‘A Comprehensive Launch Towards the Future’, is more significant than ever, as we require practical and scalable solutions to ensure energy systems are ready for the future. Despite renewable energy additions breaking records year after year, its deployment remains geographically uneven, leaving many countries without the economic benefits renewable energy can provide.”
He continued, “Developing countries, in particular, are deprived of opportunities such as job creation, business development, energy security, and enhancing system resilience amid rising uncertainties due to increased energy demand, climate impacts, and geopolitical challenges.
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week has established itself as a leading platform for advancing sustainable energy solutions, and IRENA takes pride in its partnership with this event, anticipating a remarkable kickoff for the 2026 Sustainability Week coinciding with its General Assembly.”
Ahmed Al Fahim, Executive Director of the Energy Efficiency Sector at the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, stated, “We have reached a stage where the question is no longer about the size of the infrastructure we build but rather how well we invest in what we already have. The future of energy and water systems lies in making them more advanced, sustainable, efficient, and resilient.”
He added, “Artificial intelligence is a central element in this transformation, empowering decision-makers with greater confidence, maximizing the value derived from existing assets, while simultaneously ensuring reliability, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week promotes this systems-based approach, embodying the reality that the energy, water, technology, and finance sectors must integrate and move together to turn aspirations into tangible results.”
Ali Al Shahry stated, “In Global South countries, progress is not driven solely by capital, policies, or implementation; it emerges when governments, investors, and implementers work together with a shared sense of responsibility and urgency.
In this context, we will launch ‘Global South Utilities’ on January 14 as a working platform focused on execution and investment in emerging markets, bringing together partners for real projects that deliver actual results.”
Lynn Al Suwaidi remarked, “Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026 represents a pivotal milestone in efforts to significantly transform the energy sector by harnessing innovation and translating ambitions into practical steps. As a key event within Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026, the eighteenth World Future Energy Summit will continue to solidify its active role and expand its impact.
The summit will provide a global platform focusing on advancements in artificial intelligence and advanced technologies, enhancing the connection between innovation, expertise, and investment, all contributing to accelerating efforts to develop and disseminate scalable energy solutions worldwide.”
Additionally, Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026 will introduce new features, including the launch of new events and AI-enhanced digital tools to capture key ideas, alongside showcasing innovative clean technologies in energy, water, and digital sectors, presented for the first time.
The aim is to emphasize efforts to achieve tangible positive change and build a better future for everyone by highlighting clean technologies that provide solutions in energy, water, and digital technology.