The “Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026” summit kicked off today, Tuesday, in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi. The two-day event is being held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) and is considered the flagship event of the week, bringing together state leaders, prime ministers, government officials, business leaders, investors, and innovators.

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026 runs until January 15 under the slogan “A Comprehensive Journey to the Future.”

In his opening address, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed welcomed the attending leaders, officials, and experts and honored the winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize.

In a post on X, President bin Zayed said: “I welcome the guests of the UAE to Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, which represents an annual platform for global dialogue to devise innovative solutions that enhance sustainable development and serve humanity.”

He added: “The UAE is an active partner in building global solutions that achieve development and prosperity for future generations and believes that cooperation, innovation, and international partnerships are the foundation for addressing future challenges.”

Audience at the opening session (Annahar).

Zayed Sustainability Prize winners (Annahar).

During the opening session, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber said: “Thanks to the leadership’s vision, the UAE is a gateway to the future, providing a platform for collaboration and building close partnerships. Our credibility is the core of our approach, and our history confirms the steadfastness of our positions.”

He added: “The UAE has chosen to be a nation of peace and coexistence, a nation focused on action and advancing with confidence because it believes the future is shaped through wisdom, foresight, and hard work. The world is undergoing an unprecedented phase in which progress is being measured for the first time by computing power and digital capabilities.”

Al Jaber noted that the coming phase will witness accelerated growth in energy demand, particularly with forecasts showing that data centers’ electricity demand could increase by more than 500 percent, while urban populations are expected to grow by 1.5 billion people.

He also highlighted that Masdar, launched 20 years ago, has now reached a total project production capacity of 65 gigawatts, achieving two-thirds of its target to produce 100 gigawatts by 2030.

From the opening session (Annahar).

The summit program includes more than 100 speakers and over 30 specialized sessions, focusing on unifying the efforts of governments, businesses, investors, and innovators to accelerate sustainable progress.

Key topics include transforming global energy systems, achieving water and food security, protecting nature, and exploring the impact of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

The summit also features keynote speeches, panel discussions, and high-level dialogues aimed at enabling leaders in the energy, business, and technology sectors to develop practical solutions and build sustainable partnerships. Each day concludes with a special leadership session addressing the most pressing challenges and opportunities in sustainable development.