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• Senior decision-makers gather to advance global dialogue on women’s leadership in sustainability, as WiSER hosts its Annual Forum during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026

• High-level participation from ministers, ambassadors and international leaders underscores the Forum’s role in shaping inclusive growth across policy, finance, innovation and governance

• WiSER marks milestone with the launch of its 10-Year Impact Report, showcasing a decade of empowering women to drive climate, policy and economic solutions

More than 120 influential figures gathered to advance dialogue on women’s leadership in sustainability and inclusive development at an annual forum held by WiSER, a global platform founded by Masdar and Zayed Sustainability Prize. The event took place on Wednesday, January 14, as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2026.

Held under the theme, “Inclusive Pathways for Transformative Growth,” the Forum featured a series of high-level roundtable discussions examining how women’s leadership can drive systemic change, with a focus on inclusive finance, policy and governance reform, scaling innovation, advancing skills for the future of work, redefining leadership norms, and strengthening inclusive foresight to build long-term resilience. It welcomed participation from across government and international institutions, including H.E. Lucia Witbooi, Vice President of the Republic of Namibia.

Commenting on the importance of the Forum, H.E. Lucia Witbooi said: “Inclusion is the foundation of sustainable progress. When women are empowered to lead at the highest levels, institutions become more responsive, decision-making more balanced, and development more resilient. Global platforms like the WiSER Annual Forum play a vital role in ensuring that women’s voices help shape the policies and systems that define our collective future.”

Dr Lamya Fawwaz, Executive Director of Brand and Strategic Initiatives at Masdar and WiSER Program Director, said:

During the Forum, WiSER launched its 10-Year Impact Report, marking a decade of advancing gender-inclusive leadership across the global sustainability agenda and setting out its vision for the decade ahead.

Since its launch in 2015, WiSER has grown into a globally recognized platform shaping the next generation of women sustainability leaders. Over the past decade, it has empowered more than 150 women through its flagship Pioneers program, delivered over 565 hours of structured one-to-one mentorship, and mobilized a global network of 35+ mentors and 85+ strategic partners

Beyond the numbers, WiSER’s impact is reflected in the lived outcomes of the women it supports. Drawn from more than 30 countries, WiSER Pioneers are translating ideas into action, launching clean energy enterprises, shaping climate and energy policy, advancing innovation, and driving solutions that strengthen communities on the ground. Alumni have gone on to influence decision-making in government and industry, contribute to global forums such as the Conference of the Parties (COP), and apply technical expertise in ways that improve access to energy, water, and climate-resilient infrastructure.

Through its annual forums, summits, and policy dialogues across six continents, WiSER has convened over 4,000 influential voices from government, industry, academia, and civil society, building a powerful pipeline of inclusive leadership. Working with partners worldwide, WiSER channels insights from these collaborations into white papers, podcasts, and dialogues that shape policy, industry practice, and everyday decision-making.

The 10-year milestone also marks the launch of WiSER’s next phase, a renewed vision for the decade ahead. Looking toward 2035, WiSER will expand its global footprint, deepen alumni engagement, scale field-based programs such as WiSER Cares, and strengthen policy advocacy to accelerate women’s leadership in sustainability worldwide.

WiSER’s journey demonstrates that gender equity is not peripheral to sustainability, it is foundational to progress. As the platform enters its next decade, it calls on governments, businesses and civil society to partner in building a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable future.

To download the full report and learn more, visit: https://masdar.ae/-/media/corporate-revamp/downloads/wiser/celebrating-10-years-of-wiser-impact-report.pdf

• Under the patronage of UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ADSW 2026 featured 15 heads of state and over 400 ministers and government officials

• Held under the theme ‘The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go,’ ADSW 2026 attracted over 60,000 attendees to address sustainability challenges and deliver systems transformation

• 2026 edition strengthened ADSW’s position as world’s largest sustainability gathering, and highlighted the UAE’s clean energy leadership

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026 concluded its largest edition with a renewed commitment to accelerate real-world solutions and drive sustainable progress.

Held under the theme ‘The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go,’ over the course of five action-packed days the world’s largest sustainability gathering challenged leaders across energy, finance, food, water and nature to rethink how these global systems connect, scale and reinforce each other.

Most ambitious ADSW ever

Fifteen heads of state and government and over 400 ministers and government officials, more than double last year’s number, convened with business and civil society leaders in Abu Dhabi from January 11-15 to advance dialogue on sustainability issues. ADSW 2026, hosted by Masdar, a global clean energy leader, attracted over 60,000 attendees during the week, 20 percent more than last year’s edition. The week featured more than 240 dedicated sessions, with over 800 speakers, addressing key trends including global energy systems transformation; food, nature and water security; and the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies.

ADSW 2026 introduced new features designed to deepen engagement, including new platforms, and AI-enabled engagement tools to capture insights and connect delegates, and showcased breakthrough clean technologies reshaping global resilience.

Delivering at scale

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, said:

Opening Ceremony – corridor to future

The Opening Ceremony, held on January 13 at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, was attended by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, along with: H.E. Faustin-Archange Touadéra, President of the Central African Republic; H.E. Michael Randrianirina, President of Madagascar; H.E. Daniel Chapo, President of Mozambique; H.E. Lucia Witbooi; Vice President of Namibia; H.E. Bola Tinubu, President of Nigeria; H.E. Ferdinand Marcos, President of Philippines; H.E Bassirou Diomaye Faye, President of Senegal; H.E. Aleksandar Vučić, President of Serbia; H.E. Dr. Patrick Herminie, President of Seychelles; H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa; H.E. Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania; H.E. Judith Suminwa Tuluka, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo; H.E. Irakli Kobakhidze, Prime Minister of Georgia; H.E. Milojko Spajić, Prime Minister of Montenegro; H.E. Jamshid Khodjayev, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

UAE leadership

Dr Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of Masdar, gave the opening address for ADSW 2026, highlighting the tectonic shift in the world’s economy, driven by AI; the UAE’s leadership in providing energy to power growth; and the country’s radical approach to partnership. Dr Al Jaber hailed a new era of human progress driven by computational power and digital capability, and underpinned by energy, and emphasized the role the UAE would play in that new era as the “corridor to the future.”

Inspiring the next generation

The event concluded with the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony, which recognized innovative solutions developed by changemakers across six categories: Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action, and Global High Schools. A total of 11 awards were given out to pioneering organizations and high schools across the world, with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed personally presenting the winners with their awards.

Summits and Dialogues

The anchor event of ADSW 2026 was the ADSW Summit, which took place January 13-14, featuring over 100 speakers across more than 30 dedicated sessions, including keynote addresses, panel discussions and fireside chats, enabling energy, business, and technology leaders to identify impactful solutions and forge lasting partnerships. In the Leadership Segment, held on both days of the Summit, Heads of State and government addressed the most pressing challenges and opportunities in sustainable development.

The ADSW Dialogues program, held January 13-15, convened global leaders, policymakers, and industry experts, with partners including ADNOC, BlackRock, Global Climate Finance Centre, Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Key Dialogues included the Next Leap, chaired by Dr Al Jaber, Larry Fink, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BlackRock, and Adebayo Ogunlesi, Chairman and CEO of GIP, which brought together global leaders to align on bankable, scalable infrastructure solutions accelerating partnerships and investment across the Global South.

Hosted by Masdar, the Next Watt dialogue convened CEOs from the largest renewable energy developers, including Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, with key suppliers and offtakers to identify practical pathways to meet soaring electricity demand with clean, reliable power.

The Green Hydrogen Summit, held on January 15, provided a platform for key stakeholders to collaborate on accelerating the global hydrogen economy. The summit featured 28 industry leaders, addressing issues including securing demand, unlocking investment, global shipping and the state of the green hydrogen landscape.

The World Future Energy Summit, the largest event at ADSW, took place from January 13-15 at the ADNEC Centre, featuring 515 exhibiting brands and 16 country and innovation-led pavilions. Over the three days, attendees had the opportunity to join conferences led by 300-plus industry experts, explore nine exhibition halls showcasing breakthrough products and solutions and discover cutting-edge technologies through the Greenhouse startup zone, FUSE AI and the Green Hydrogen Innovation Hub.

New platforms

This year, ADSW introduced new platforms to provide greater scope to address key issues. The inaugural Global South Utilities Forum, which took place January 14, convened policymakers, developers, financiers, and off-takers from the Global South and the UAE to discuss advancing investment, innovation, and the delivery of sustainable power and water infrastructure across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. A ministerial dialogue focused on how governments are translating policy vision into bankable infrastructure, while later sessions addressed deploying technology at speed and scale, renewables, energy storage and off-grid systems, and the growing role of industrial off-takers beyond traditional utilities.

ADSW also featured the Blue Forum, convened through the partnership between Masdar and the Sino-International Entrepreneurs Federation (SIEF), ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference in the UAE this December. Held on January 15, the event brought together leaders from government, multilateral organizations and development banks, business and civil society to unlock transformative opportunities for a water-secure future, driving technology, resilience, and sustainable growth.

Masdar: Celebrating 20 years of progress

Masdar, host of ADSW, celebrated 20 years of clean energy leadership by announcing its total renewable energy portfolio has reached 65 gigawatts (GW), up from 51GW at the start of 2025, two thirds of the way to its 2030 target of 100GW. Of the 65GW portfolio, 45GW is operational, under construction, or committed, with a further advanced pipeline of 20GW.

Masdar also made a series of announcements throughout the week, strengthening its presence in key markets including Uzbekistan, Oman and Sharjah, and expanding its footprint in Africa, with the signing of its first power purchase agreement in Angola.

Youth and Women empowerment

Held January 13-15, the Youth 4 Sustainability Forum and Youth Hub, brought together more than 3,500 young people from around the world, connecting them with 95 speakers from government, industry, and academia with initiatives such as Youth Connect and Talent Connect. The 2026 cohorts for the Y4S Future Sustainability Leaders and Sustainability Ambassadors programs were announced during the event while the last day also featured the final stages of the Out-of-Labs competition. The challenge brought together teams to showcase AI-enabled solutions addressing real-world challenges spanning technology and sustainability.

Held under the theme, “Inclusive Pathways for Transformative Growth,” the annual WiSER Forum took place on January 14, bringing together over 120 influential figures to advance dialogue on women’s leadership in sustainability and inclusive development. The forum focused on inclusive finance, policy and governance reform, scaling innovation, advancing skills for the future of work, redefining leadership norms, and strengthening inclusive foresight to build long-term resilience.

Partner events

ADSW 2026 kicked off with the 16th annual International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Assembly, which took place January 11-12, and was attended by over 1,500 delegates, including ministers, government officials, CEOs and partners from across the world. Decision-makers and leaders discussed key issues related to energy transformation, inclusive development, and long-term resilience in both developing and developed countries, amongst other topics.

The Global Climate Finance Centre Annual Meeting was held January 15, in collaboration with Masdar, connecting over 280 professionals with more than 20 speakers, and facilitating dialogue on advancing finance for climate action.

Key ADSW 2026 partners included the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, Global South Utilities, ADNOC, World Wide Technology (WWT), Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), EMSTEEL, Aldar, Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA), TotalEnergies, and the Department of Municipalities and Transport.

For more information, please visit http://www.adsw.ae

WiSER, a global platform founded by Masdar and the Zayed Sustainability Prize, has launched its 10-year anniversary campaign, “We’re Just Getting Started,” celebrating a decade of advancing women’s leadership and reaffirming its commitment to shaping the future of sustainable development.

The campaign is anchored by a short film featuring influential global leaders and WiSER Pioneers whose work exemplifies the role women play in delivering inclusive, scalable and lasting solutions to today’s most pressing global challenges.

The film features H.E. Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (ICUN); H.E. Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Former Prime Minister of Iceland and the Chair of the Council of Women Leaders; Ajaita Shah, Founder and CEO of Fontier Markets, alongside WiSER Pioneers, Dana Shukirevyeva, Founder and CEO of Forest Hero; Nicole Bhati, Solar Power Generation Lead at ARC Power; and Reem Al Musabeah, Head of Community Engagement and Membership at Women in AI.

Dr Lamya Fawwaz, Executive Director of Brand & Strategic Initiatives at Masdar and Program Director of WiSER, said:

Since its establishment in 2015, WiSER has empowered women by strengthening access to education, mentorship, leadership opportunities and global networks. Over the past decade, the platform has contributed to meaningful progress toward a more inclusive sustainability sector, supporting women who are advancing innovation, economic opportunity and community resilience around the world.

As WiSER marks its 10-year milestone, the campaign looks firmly to the future. With global challenges intensifying, WiSER’s next phase will prioritize supporting women who are already driving scalable solutions, expanding their access to mentorship and platforms that enable their leadership to translate into lasting community and economic value.

By strengthening networks, widening access to knowledge and fostering innovation, WiSER aims to equip women to lead solutions that deliver long-term impact across all sectors of society.

Watch the “We’re Just Getting Started” anniversary film: LINK

WiSER, a global platform co-founded by Masdar and the Zayed Sustainability Prize, has launched the Words of Wisdom podcast, to share insights and inspiration from leaders shaping the future of sustainability.

Building on the success of the WiSER Wisdom Webinar series, the podcast brings in-depth and thought-provoking conversations between leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers and innovators who are shaping the future of sustainability. Through dialogue and personal reflection, each episode explores leadership journeys, lessons learned and the importance of mentorship in empowering the next generation of women in sustainability.

Launched on December 22, the first episode features Dymphna van der Lans, Chief Executive of the Clean Cooking Alliance, in conversation with Maryam Hassani, Co-Founder and the CEO of Zealous TenX. It explores the intersection of clean cooking, women’s empowerment, and community-driven mentorship.

New episodes of Words of Wisdom will be released throughout December and January. Season 1 features four episodes, each pairing an inspiring guest with a WiSER host from the global sustainability community:

• Episode 1 - The Cost of What We Take For Granted (Dec 22): Maryam Hassani x Dymphna van der Lans – Clean cooking, mentorship and women’s empowerment

• Episode 2 - When Opportunity Isn't Given, Create It (Dec 29): Jessica Robinson x Michelle Li – Building global networks for climate action through Women & Climate NYC

• Episode 3 - The Power of Collective Insight (Jan 5): Eduarda Zoghbi x Alison Hall – Exploring diplomacy, energy and gender inclusion through the British Embassy Dubai

• Episode 4 - Clarity Creates Impact (Jan 12): Mariam Al Qubaisi x Michael Liebreich – Insights on leadership and collaboration in the clean energy transformation

Episodes will be available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Anghami and YouTube.

The Words of Wisdom podcast reflects WiSER’s three core pillars of education, engagement and empowerment. It also complements the initiative’s year-round activities, including the WiSER Pioneers Program, WiSER Cares community campaigns, and the WiSER Annual Forum held during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW). By providing a new digital platform for storytelling and mentorship, WiSER aims to reach wider audiences and inspire collective action toward a more sustainable future.

• WiSER Cares program completes a five-day course in Indonesia on advancing knowledge on energy transformation, community resilience and innovation

• Course explored geothermal innovation, floating solar, and community-led solutions for sustainable growth.

• Fourteen WiSER Pioneers and Indonesian professionals, engaged in immersive site visits and policy dialogues

Women in Sustainability, Environment, and Renewable Energy (WiSER) – the global platform founded by Masdar and the Zayed Sustainability Prize – has successfully concluded its 2025 WiSER Cares program in Indonesia.

Entitled “Advancing the Energy Transformation through Policy, Innovation and Community Action,” the five-day field-based course was held across Jakarta and Garut, immersing participants in Indonesia’s sustainability landscape. The program combined high-level policy discussions with hands-on community engagement to explore how inclusive and locally driven solutions are shaping a just energy future.

Over the course of the week, nine WiSER Pioneers and five Indonesian professionals gained firsthand insights into the nation’s clean energy journey. Sessions included Indonesia’s national energy roadmap, financing mechanisms for the energy transformation, and the role of state-owned enterprises in driving transformation. Participants also visited landmark renewable energy projects such as the Kamojang Geothermal Power Plant and the Cirata Floating Solar Project – Southeast Asia’s largest floating solar facility.

Community engagement formed a core pillar of the program, with participants collaborating with Geothermal Coffee Producer. Through structured group activities, GCP (Geothermal Coffee Producer) co-created practical solutions to support sustainable farming, business model innovation, and community branding, empowering local women with new tools for growth and resilience.

Dr Lamya Nawaf Fawwaz, Executive Director of Brand and Strategic Initiatives at Masdar and WiSER Program Director, said:

The course was delivered in collaboration with key partners across Indonesia’s energy and sustainability landscape, including Energy Academy Indonesia (ECADIN), Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk, Indonesia Business Council for Sustainable Development (IBCSD), PLN (Perusahaan Listrik Negara), PT Pembangkitan Jawa Bali Masdar Solar Energi (PMSE), Kopi Canaya Geothermal Cooperative, and technical experts from the Kamojang Geothermal Power Plant and Cirata Floating Solar Project. These organizations played a central role in offering both policy-level perspectives and on-the-ground demonstrations of clean energy innovation.

Candra Sri Sutama, Chief Operating Officer, Energy Academy Indonesia (ECADIN), said:

WiSER Cares builds on the program’s three core pillars of education, engagement and empowerment, by offering courses that strengthen leadership cultural exchange, and hands-on sustainability experience. Each year, the program connects Pioneers with communities at the frontlines of climate and energy challenges, creating transformative learning opportunities aimed at accelerating the clean energy transformation.

Salamah Alhajeri, a senior engineer and 2025 WiSER Pioneer, said:

WiSER is a global platform that champions women as leaders of sustainable change through year-long initiatives in thought leadership, personal and professional development and community engagement. WiSER is born of the UAE leadership’s longstanding and continuing commitment to the role of women; a commitment traced directly back to the vision of the late founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Aligned to the UAE’s broader vision of driving inclusive action and promoting gender equity, the platform champions women’s leadership in critical sectors such as renewable energy, the environment and sustainable development.

First launched in 2018, WiSER Pioneers is a year-long program hosted annually that offers women from across the world, aged 25 to 35, access to bespoke educational workshops and global networking opportunities to inspire sustainability leadership.

Registrations for the WiSER Pioneers Program 2026 are open now. To apply, visit: https://masdar.my.site.com/WISER

• WiSER Pioneers Program aims to empower the next generation of women sustainability leaders

• Competitive, year-long program for young women aged 25 to 35 from around the world

• 150+ young women from 30+ nationalities have participated since 2018, driving real-world impact

Women in Sustainability, Environment, and Renewable Energy (WiSER) – a global platform co-founded in 2015 by Masdar and the Zayed Sustainability Prize – has officially opened applications for its 2026 WiSER Pioneers Program, dedicated to empowering the next generation of female sustainability leaders.

Now entering its ninth cohort, the year-long, competitive program is dedicated to empowering emerging female leaders in sustainability. Since its launch in 2018, the Pioneers Program has provided 535+ hours of workshops, 515+ hours of one-to-one mentoring and welcomed more than 150 Pioneers from over 30 nationalities, equipping them with the knowledge, networks, and leadership skills to shape the global energy transformation and deliver meaningful impact in their communities.

Open to women aged 25 to 35 who are entrepreneurs or possess at least two years of professional experience in sustainability, environment, energy, or STEM-related fields, the program offers tailored workshops, global networking opportunities, and one-to-one mentorship from senior industry leaders. Pioneers also participate in the annual WiSER Cares initiative, engaging directly with local communities to explore sustainable solutions on the ground.

Dr Lamya Fawwaz, Executive Director for Brand & Strategic Initiatives, Masdar, and Program Director of WiSER, said:

Through WiSER, women have gone on to launch businesses, lead projects and influence policy in their countries, underscoring the platform’s role as one of the world’s most impactful initiatives for developing female leaders in sustainability. Alumni of the program are now making their mark across clean energy, technology, policy, and community development.

The WiSER Pioneers Program combines career development with real-world experience. Participants take part in bespoke training workshops covering clean energy, sustainability policy, leadership and innovation. They also engage in the annual WiSER Cares initiative, a cultural exchange and active learning program that immerses Pioneers in practical sustainability solutions.

The 2025 WiSER Cares trip brought Pioneers to Indonesia, where they gained on-the-ground insight into Indonesia’s energy transformation through site visits to geothermal plants, floating solar projects and policy workshops on climate finance.

WiSER Pioneers also gain international exposure at global events such as Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) and United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP), where they actively contribute to discussions shaping the future of the energy transformation.

Reflecting on the program, Fatima Afghan, a 2025 Pioneer from the UAE said:

Praise for the program also came from Eduarda Zoghbi, a 2025 Pioneer from Brazil:

WiSER is a global platform dedicated to empowering women to be drivers of sustainable change and innovation. WiSER is born of the UAE leadership’s longstanding and continuing commitment to the role of women; a vision championed by the late founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Aligned to global net-zero goals, WiSER is also rooted in a recognition that more needs to be done to support women in the global mission to tackle climate change.

For further information on WiSER, visit: https://masdar.ae/en/strategic-global-initiatives/wiser To apply for the 2026 WiSER Pioneers Program, visit: https://masdar.my.site.com/WISER

• WiSER’s new White Paper highlights importance of investing in female entrepreneurs driving the global sustainable economy, emphasizing gender-focused financing and inclusive policies

• AI and mentorship programs must be expanded to empower female entrepreneurs in climate sector

• Policy changes and targeted investments are critical for equitable sustainable solutions for women in the Global South

Women in Sustainability, Environment, and Renewable Energy (WiSER) - a global platform founded by Masdar and the Zayed Sustainability Prize to champion women as leaders of sustainable change - today launched its latest White Paper, Igniting a Global Sustainable Economy.

Its release coincides with International Women’s Day, celebrated annually on 8 March, which this year is themed ‘Accelerate Action’ to emphasize the importance of taking swift action to achieve gender equity.

WiSER’s White Paper underscores the vital role of female entrepreneurs in advancing climate solutions and offers key recommendations to close gender gaps in finance, scalability, AI, integration, mentorship and accessibility – especially for women in the Global South.

It builds on insights gathered during the 2025 WiSER Annual Forum at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), which brought together over 100 global leaders, policymakers, and entrepreneurs to explore the transformative role of women in advancing the global sustainability agenda. With the theme, ‘Igniting a Global Sustainable Economy,’ the Forum emphasized the need to empower female entrepreneurs as catalysts for climate innovation and sustainable development.

The report outlines five key recommendations to empower female entrepreneurs in climate action by enhancing access to finance, scalability, AI enablement, networks, and accessibility, ensuring they have the resources, opportunities, and support needed to succeed and scale their impact:

• Increase Gender-Focused Investment: Expand funding and financial literacy programs to support female-led climate ventures, with a focus on gender-lens financing and microloans for adaptations projects.

• Scale Women-Led Climate Ventures: Streamline policies, enhance infrastructure, and foster partnerships to help female entrepreneurs expand their solutions.

• Harness AI and Digital Tools: Improve AI literacy and access to AI-driven technologies to support business growth and market entry.

• Strengthen Mentorship and Networking: Establish mentorship programs and cross-sector collaborations to provide women with the resources to succeed.

• Empower Women in the Global South: Address legal and financial barriers, invest in STEM education and improve access to markets and resources.

Dr. Lamya Fawwaz, Executive Director of Brand & Strategic Initiatives at Masdar and Program Director of WiSER, said:

WiSER remains committed to empowering women as sustainability leaders through its pioneering initiatives, including the WiSER Pioneers program and WiSER Cares. The findings of this report will help shape future initiatives, ensuring that female entrepreneurs receive the recognition, resources and opportunities needed to lead global climate action.

To download the white paper, click here.

• WiSER Pioneers Program aims to empower the next generation of women sustainability leaders

• Young women professionals aged 25 to 35 are invited to apply for the year-long program

• 130+ young women from 30+ nationalities have participated in the prestigious Pioneers Program since its launch in 2018

Women in Sustainability, Environment, and Renewable Energy (WiSER) – a global initiative established by the UAE’s two leading sustainability champions, Masdar and the Zayed Sustainability Prize – has opened applications for its 2025 WiSER Pioneers Program.

First launched in 2018, the year-long WiSER Pioneers Program offers women from across the world access to bespoke educational workshops and global networking opportunities with industry experts, supporting them to reach their full potential.

Empowering young women to take a leading role in the global transition to a net-zero future, the Program provides participants with a platform to make their voices heard and equips them with the knowledge and skills necessary to lead meaningful change.

The WiSER Pioneers Program is open to women aged 25 to 35 who are currently employed or self-employed with a degree in a field related to the environment, energy, sustainability, or science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, with a minimum of two years of work experience.

Dr Lamya Fawwaz, Executive Director for Brand & Strategic Initiatives, Masdar, and Program Director of WiSER, said:

The multi-disciplinary WiSER Pioneer Program encompasses a number of key activities that focus on skill acquisition and enhancement, career advancement and networking opportunities. These include tailor-made workshops and training sessions aimed at enhancing skills in sustainability, clean energy, and leadership.

Pioneers have the opportunity to participate in the annual WiSER Cares initiative, an active learning experience focused on promoting community development through cultural exchange. The 2024 WiSER Cares trip saw 18 women complete a five-day course on adaptive agriculture in Marrakesh, Morocco.

WiSER’s mentorship scheme also plays a pivotal role in helping Pioneers advance their careers, through one-to-one mentoring sessions with senior figures from various industries.

In addition, WiSER actively participates in global events and conferences such as Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) and COP, providing a platform for Pioneers to learn, contribute to global discussions, and connect with industry leaders, policymakers, and sustainability professionals.

Reflecting on the program, Hind Alhosani, a 2023 Pioneer from the UAE said: “The program’s focus on empowering women in the energy sector aligned perfectly with my passion for promoting gender equality and contributing to the global transition to a net-zero future. As a WiSER Pioneer, I had the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded professionals, participate in high-impact projects, and contribute to meaningful change in the global energy landscape. Additionally, the mentorship and knowledge exchange within the program have been invaluable. ”

Praise for the program also came from Sandra Leyva, a 2024 Pioneer from Mexico: “The WiSER Pioneers program is a community of women leaders who understand that the challenges we face demand more than incremental change. Through WiSER, I’ve gained tools, expanded my network, and been given a platform to drive this transformation. I am learning from disruptive leaders who are pushing the boundaries of what is possible, and I am collaborating with fellow pioneers who are with me on the journey of finding our voice as an advocate for the policies and practices that will carry us forward. ”

The 2025 WiSER Pioneers will be the eighth cohort of the initiative. To date, more than 130 professional women representing more than 30 nationalities have graduated from the WiSER Pioneers Program.

WiSER is a global initiative dedicated to empowering women to be drivers of sustainable change and innovation. WiSER is born of the UAE leadership’s longstanding and continuing commitment to the role of women; a commitment traced directly back to the vision of the late founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Aligned to global net-zero goals, WiSER is also rooted in a recognition that more needs to be done to support women in the global mission to tackle climate change.

For further information on WiSER visit: https://masdar.ae/en/strategic-global-initiatives/wiser

To apply for the 2025 WiSER Pioneers Program visit: https://masdar.my.site.com/WISER 

• WiSER Cares program completes a five-day course on adaptive agriculture in Marrakesh, Morocco.

• Course focused on addressing three core climate challenges facing the agriculture sector: water scarcity, soil degradation and erosion, and invasive pests and diseases.

• Eighteen WiSER Pioneers and local participants discovered invaluable insights into climate-resilient adaptive agriculture.

Women in Sustainability, Environment, and Renewable Energy (WiSER) - a global initiative established by the UAE’s two leading sustainability champions, Masdar and the Zayed Sustainability Prize - has successfully completed the latest instalment of its WiSER Cares program.

Taking place in Marrakesh, and entitled, “Adaptive Agriculture: Innovations in Technology and Practice for Water-Scarce Communities," the course formed part of WiSER's multidisciplinary program to engage members in sustainable community development.

Dr. Lamya Fawwaz, Masdar’s Executive Director of Brand & Strategic Initiatives and WiSER Program Director emphasized the direct impact of the course on the participants’ understanding of water access issues: “We are proud to offer the WiSER Cares course in Morocco as part of Masdar’s long-running effort to empower and equip young women with the knowledge and skills necessary to lead their communities and the world in building a more sustainable future.

“Through our core pillars of education, engagement and empowerment, WiSER Cares aims to provide courses that enhance the practical, theoretical and leadership skills of women through cultural exchange and building connections through a sustainability lens that works to accelerate the clean energy transition in rural off-grid communities,” added Dr. Fawwaz.

The course, led by global and local experts, focused on addressing three core climate challenges facing the agriculture sector: water scarcity, soil degradation and erosion, and the threat posed by invasive pests and diseases. It brought together 18 women – 13 WiSER Pioneers and 5 Moroccan professionals – to discover invaluable insights into the power of climate-resilient adaptive agriculture.

Organizations engaged included the University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P), Fondation Mohammed VI Pour La Protection De L’Environnement, National Institute of Research in Agronomy (INRA) CRRA, Museum Mohammed VI for the Water Civilization, CIPA-Pierre Rabhi Farm, and Gardens of Jnane Tamsna.

Participants were guided through a program of lectures and practical exercises, including site visits to farms, research centres, and agribusinesses. The immersive hands-on experience offered participants a firsthand look at the climate challenges faced by water-scarce communities. This facilitated discussions on a wide range of agriculture adaptation strategies aimed at tackling food insecurity and increase economic independence.

"This course provided an invaluable opportunity to learn about the innovative approaches used by various communities, institutions and pioneering civil organizations in adaptive agriculture and apply those lessons to real-world challenges," said Tosin George, Solar Operations Consultant at Garfana Energy and 2024 WiSER Pioneer. "I will take many important learnings and insights back to my community, and this will help prepare us better for the climate challenges that we are facing."

The program concluded with workshops on planting and harvesting, a demonstration of how solar energy can be harnessed for water pumping and conservation, as well as a visit to the Museum of the Water Civilization in Marrakesh, which focused on traditional water management and community engagement.

“We were thrilled to offer this immersive learning experience as part of the WiSER Cares initiative,” said Dr. Redouane Choukrallah, Senior Professor, Agricultural Innovation and Technology Transfer Center (AIITC) and University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P). “Equipping the next generation of female leaders with the knowledge and tools to tackle climate challenges is crucial for building resilient, food secure communities.”

WiSER is a global initiative dedicated to empowering women to be drivers of sustainable change and innovation. WiSER is born of the UAE leadership’s longstanding and continuing commitment to the role of women; a commitment traced directly back to the vision of the late founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Aligned to global net-zero goals, WiSER is also rooted in a recognition that more needs to be done to support women in the global mission to tackle climate change.

First launched in 2018, WiSER Pioneers is a year-long program hosted annually that offers women from across the world, aged 25 to 35, access to bespoke educational workshops and global networking opportunities to inspire sustainability leadership.

• Female entrepreneurs, academics, thought leaders and business executives to convene for WiSER panel sessions on 18 April

• Panels to focus on empowering female entrepreneurs and the importance of mentorship in promoting gender equality in climate action

• Program reinforces WiSER’s commitment to core pillars of education, engagement, and empowerment

Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER) - Masdar’s global initiative that champions women as drivers of sustainable change and innovation – will be placing female entrepreneurs and mentors center stage at the World Future Energy Summit (WFES).

In an afternoon of dedicated programming at the Masdar Pavilion on April 18, three panels will explore innovative solutions and opportunities in climate finance for female entrepreneurs, highlight the transformative role of female mentorship in fostering leadership and promoting diversity and inclusion, and examine the nexus between SDG5 and environmental action to ensure women's perspectives from the Global South are integrated into policy and practice.

Bringing together female entrepreneurs, thought leaders, business executives and academics, WiSER’s program at WFES aims to enlighten, challenge and inform audiences as part of WiSER’s commitment to addressing the under-representation of women in the renewable energy sector and highlighting the barriers they face in accessing climate finance and education.

Dr Lamya Fawwaz, Executive Director for Brand & Strategic Initiatives, Masdar, and Program Director of WiSER, said:

WiSER, a Masdar initiative, was established as a result of the UAE leadership’s longstanding commitment to the role of women; a commitment traced back to the vision of the late founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Aligned with the UAE’s net-zero goals, WiSER is rooted in a recognition that more needs to be done to support women in the global mission to tackle climate change. 

Hosted by Masdar, WFES is the leading business event for future energy, clean technology and sustainability and takes place from April 16-18 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

The Masdar Pavilion will be situated in Hall 5 at ADNEC. Full details of WiSER’s program at WFES can be found here.