ADSW 2026 Set to Convene Global Leaders in Abu Dhabi as World’s Largest Sustainability Gathering

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2026, hosted by Masdar under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, is set to begin next week, bringing together Heads of State, ministers, policymakers, business leaders, investors, and innovators to address global sustainability challenges and accelerate system-wide transformation.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the event, Masdar Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi said ADSW has grown into the world’s largest sustainability gathering, with the 2026 edition expected to be the biggest and most ambitious to date. He noted that the event comes at a critical moment as countries seek to align existing systems with future sustainability needs.

Held under the theme “The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go,” ADSW 2026 will focus on strengthening collaboration across interconnected systems, including energy, finance, food, water, and nature, to drive measurable global impact. The discussions will place a strong emphasis on energy transformation, coinciding with Masdar’s 20 years of renewable energy leadership.

According to Masdar, ADSW 2026 aims to set a new global benchmark for collaboration by challenging leaders to rethink how systems connect, scale, and reinforce one another to support long-term sustainability and resilience.

The press conference also featured remarks from H.E. Francesco La Camera, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), who said the global energy transition is entering a decisive decade. He highlighted projections that electricity will account for more than half of final energy consumption by 2050 and emphasized the need for scalable, practical solutions to ensure equitable renewable energy deployment, particularly in developing countries. IRENA is a strategic partner of ADSW and will open the week with its General Assembly.

H.E. Eng. Ahmed Al Falasi, Executive Director of the Energy Efficiency Sector at the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, underscored the growing importance of intelligent infrastructure use, noting that artificial intelligence will play a central role in improving efficiency, resilience, and sustainability across energy and water systems.

Meanwhile, Ali Alshimmari, Managing Director and CEO of Global South Utilities, announced the launch of the Global South Forum on January 14, aimed at driving implementation and investment in emerging markets by bringing together governments, investors, and operators around real-world projects.

Leen Alsebai, General Manager of RX Middle East and Head of the World Future Energy Summit, said ADSW 2026 marks a pivotal moment where innovation transitions from ambition to action. She added that the 18th edition of the World Future Energy Summit will further integrate artificial intelligence and advanced technologies to accelerate global energy transformation and deliver scalable clean energy solutions.

With global attention turning to Abu Dhabi, ADSW 2026 is expected to play a central role in shaping international sustainability dialogue and advancing coordinated action across critical systems.