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• Under the patronage of UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ADSW 2025 featured 13 heads of state and over 140 ministers and government officials from around the globe

• Held under the theme ‘The Nexus of Next. Supercharging Sustainable Progress,’ ADSW 2025 connected over 50,000 attendees, from over 170 countries, to explore pathways for a sustainable and prosperous future for all

• Masdar, host of ADSW, announced landmark renewable energy projects, strengthening the company’s global positioning and demonstrating the UAE’s clean energy leadership

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2025 concluded with a renewed global commitment to accelerate sustainable development and deliver a new era of prosperity for all.

Global leaders, including 13 heads of state and over 140 ministers and government officials, as well as over 3,500 business and civil society leaders, convened to advance dialogue on supercharging socioeconomic and environmental progress and unlocking a potential $10 trillion economic transformation opportunity. Taking place from January 12 to 18, ADSW 2025, hosted by Masdar, connected over 50,000 attendees from over 170 countries, to explore pathways for a sustainable future.

Held under the theme ‘The Nexus of Next. Supercharging Sustainable Progress,’ ADSW provided a platform for dialogue and collaboration, focusing on leveraging the convergence of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), energy innovation, and human expertise to drive inclusive, impactful progress. Policymakers, business and civil society leaders, and innovators engaged in a series of events and discussions designed to foster multi-stakeholder collaboration and drive widescale systematic change.

The Opening Ceremony, held on January 14, was attended by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, along with the heads of state and government representing Albania, Azerbaijan, Finland, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Malaysia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Uganda and Uzbekistan. The event concluded with the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony, which recognized the innovative solutions of 11 pioneering organizations and high schools from around the world. His Highness awarded the winners across the six categories of Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action, and Global High Schools, for their remarkable achievements, encouraging continued innovation in every corner of the globe.

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

ADSW 2025 began with the 15th annual Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), which took place on January 12 and 13, and was attended by 1,500 delegates, representing 140 countries from IRENA’s global membership. The Global Climate Finance Centre (GCFC), in collaboration with Masdar, hosted its Annual Meeting on 13 January, connecting over 300 professionals and facilitating vital discussions on advancing climate finance

The ADSW Summit, the anchor event of ADSW 2025, featured 34 dedicated sessions over two days, with more than 70 speakers and heads of state including H.E. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan, H.E. Bola Tinubu, President of Nigeria, H.E. Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, H.E. Wavel Ramkalawan, President of Seychelles, H.E. Yoweri Museveni, President of Uganda, H.E. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Uzbekistan, H.E. Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania, H.E. Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy, H.E. Petteri Orpo, Prime Minister of Finland, H.E. Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, H.E. Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister of New Zealand.

Key topics included the global energy systems transformation, the impact of AI and other emerging technologies on universal sustainable development, and the reshaping of global investment patterns through the digital-climate nexus.

The Green Hydrogen Summit, held on January 16 under the theme ‘Accelerating Green Hydrogen: Charting the Course for Industry Scale-Up,’ brought together over 40 industry leaders sharing their insights and driving the adoption of green hydrogen across various sectors. The Summit featured dialogue on unlocking investment potential, sustainable financial models, harmonizing global standards, and identifying concrete steps to accelerate the global uptake of green hydrogen.

Under the theme ‘Igniting a Global Sustainable Economy’, the Women in Sustainability, Environment, and Renewable Energy (WiSER) Annual Forum, brought together over 100 international experts from government, industry, nonprofits, academia, and intergovernmental organizations, to explore the transformative role of women entrepreneurs in advancing the global sustainability agenda.

Under the theme ‘Generation Now - Building the Future’, Youth 4 Sustainability (Y4S), Masdar’s global initiative to empower the next generation of sustainability leaders, delivered a packed program focused on youth innovation, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills in sustainability, community involvement and international representation. The three-day program featured 45 sessions with over 100 speakers and moderators, including three heads of state, and explored how young people can use AI and other emerging technologies to develop climate solutions.

Held under the theme ‘Voices of Resilience: Delivering Inclusive Climate Action’, the Zayed Sustainability Prize Forum brought together an inspiring lineup of speakers to discuss the vital role that indigenous, marginalized and youth communities can play in advancing sustainable development and the power of philanthropy to drive meaningful change. The Zayed Sustainability Prize also hosted Investor Connect, a high-impact networking platform where Prize finalists and winners pitched their solutions to an audience of investors, buyers and other key industry stakeholders. By connecting entrepreneurs with financiers, Investor Connect drives the scaling of innovations that generate a lasting, measurable impact and contribute to a sustainable future.

The World Future Energy Summit took place from January 14-16 at the ADNEC Centre and featured 11 country pavilions and more than 450 exhibitors. The 2025 event saw record-breaking attendance, with significant increases in the participation of female and international speakers, as well as trade buyers. It also provided a dynamic platform for over 55 entrepreneurs and startups to showcase their cutting-edge technologies. Notably, the CLiX showcase highlighted female innovators from around the world who are leading the charge in combating climate change.

Masdar, in collaboration with Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC), announced the launch of the world’s first large-scale ‘round the clock’ gigascale project combining solar power and battery storage to dispatch renewable energy 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Delivering up to 1 gigawatt (GW) of baseload power, the project will feature a 5.2GW (DC) solar photovoltaic (PV) plant, coupled with a 19 gigawatt-hour (GWh) battery energy storage system (BESS), making it the largest project of its kind in the world.

Masdar also announced its entry into the Philippines market, signing agreements to develop up to 1GW of clean energy projects, covering solar, wind and BESS solutions, in the Southeast Asian nation, strengthening its growing portfolio in the region.

ADSW 2025 concluded with The Festival at Masdar City, which engaged the public in celebrating sustainable solutions and inspiring action through various activities at Masdar Park. The festival attracted over 12,000 attendees over the course of three days.

Key partners for ADSW 2025 included the Department of Energy (DoE), Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), World Wide Technology (WWT), Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), EMSTEEL, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), Mubadala, Huawei, GE Vernova, HSBC, Agility, Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), TotalEnergies, Fertiglobe, 1PointFive, bp, BEEAH, Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) and Dii Desert Energy.

Reflecting ADSW’s commitment to driving sustainability, Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) provided this year’s event with Clean Energy Certificates covering the consumption of approximately 305 megawatts (MW) – the required amount to power the event from January 14-16 at ADNEC.

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan today attended the official opening ceremony of the 2025 edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW). Taking place mainly at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), ADSW is an annual global platform focused on accelerating sustainability efforts and advancing socioeconomic progress in the UAE and worldwide.

The ceremony was attended by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court; H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council; H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; H.H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs; H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence; along a number of sheikhs and senior officials.

Numerous heads of state also attended, including Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan; Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan; William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya; Yoweri Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda; Bola Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda; Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister of New Zealand; Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia; and Petteri Orpo, Prime Minister of the Republic of Finland; alongside other dignitaries and senior officials.

The UAE President welcomed world leaders and experts to ADSW as they convene to address sustainability challenges, expand dialogue, and intensify efforts to develop solutions to build a more sustainable future for coming generations.

His Highness emphasised that ADSW serves as a vital platform in bringing together global leaders, pioneers, and experts to address pressing sustainability challenges, develop strategic frameworks, and craft innovative solutions to ensure a prosperous future for all.

His Highness underscored that sustainability is a cornerstone of the nation’s strategies, as the UAE continues its unwavering efforts to harness resources and capabilities to drive global sustainable economic and social development.

Expanding on the UAE’s approach, His Highness highlighted that ADSW demonstrates the nation’s dedication to adopting and leveraging advanced technologies to transform energy systems and accelerate economic and social progress. By drawing on diverse expertise, skills, and resources, the UAE aims to support global energy ambitions, overcome challenges, and secure sustainable energy supplies that enhance energy security and foster stability and wellbeing for communities around the world.

The opening ceremony commenced with the UAE national anthem and featured a captivating film that underscored the critical importance of integrating advanced technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, with the energy sector and human expertise to drive innovation and foster a sustainable future.

Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of Masdar, delivered the opening address, extending a warm welcome to His Highness and heads of state and other distinguished guests. He praised the UAE leadership for their unwavering support in positioning ADSW as a premier global platform for advancing sustainable development.

He stated, "Guided by the vision and unwavering support of our leadership, the UAE has offered the world a practical model for a transformative journey from the present to the future. Our nation has excelled in seamlessly blending its rich heritage and traditions with a forward-thinking approach to adopting groundbreaking innovations. The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, our nation’s Founding Father, exemplified this spirit by making the impossible not just possible, but inevitable, transforming arid sands into fertile lands and laying the foundations for the UAE’s rise as a global leader in the energy sector.

"Today, the visionary leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan inspires us to push boundaries and achieve new heights. Under His Highness’ guidance, we have reached remarkable milestones in renewable energy, including developing the world’s largest single-site solar power plant and a globally pioneering desalination facility. In wind energy, we have further cemented our leadership with wind farms designed to withstand harsh maritime conditions and operate efficiently at low wind speeds."

Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber highlighted that the UAE has reached a transformative milestone in nuclear energy with all four units at the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant becoming operational, setting a global benchmark for clean and reliable power generation. He also underscored the UAE’s pioneering achievements in AI, from establishing the world’s first postgraduate university dedicated to AI research to launching strategic investment platforms such as MGX.

On the UAE’s accomplishments in space exploration, Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber remarked, "We sent a probe to Mars, but we won’t stop there. Soon, we will launch a mission to the asteroid belt with the 'MBR Explorer' and deploy the 'MBZ-Sat' satellite to study and map our planet."

Dr. Al Jaber emphasized that the directives of His Highness the UAE President have been the guiding force behind these achievements. He added that His Highness’ visionary call for collaboration and unity has fostered multilateral cooperation, transforming doubt into determination and fear into resolve. This collective spirit culminated in the delivery of the historic UAE Consensus at COP28, uniting the world in the pursuit of a sustainable future.

Dr. Al Jaber referenced the launch of a record-breaking project in the UAE that will help overcome the issue of intermittency, one of the largest challenges for renewable energy. Masdar, in collaboration with the Emirates Water and Electricity Company, is developing the world’s first solar power facility capable of providing renewable energy at scale, around the clock, 24 hours a day.

The first major event on the global sustainability calendar, ADSW is taking place under the theme ‘The Nexus of Next: Supercharging Sustainable Progress.’ Throughout the week, policymakers will join leaders from business and civil society to connect, debate, and explore pathways to fast-track the world’s transformation to a sustainable economy that enhances prosperity for all.

As part of an engaging program of high-profile sessions, forums, partner-led events, and high-level networking opportunities, ADSW will address the need for widescale systemic change, connecting energy, data, finance, trade, and natural ecosystems to drive exponential and sustainable growth while exploring innovative ideas and transforming them into actionable, impactful solutions.

The ADSW program began with the successful conclusion of the IRENA General Assembly on January 12-13, followed by the Global Climate Finance Forum on 13th January, setting the stage for high-level discussions. The ADSW Summit, taking place today and tomorrow, is driving critical dialogue on pressing global sustainability challenges.

Momentum will continue with the World Future Energy Summit and Youth 4 Sustainability (Y4S) Forum running from 14-16 January, the Women in Sustainability, Environment, and Renewable Energy (WiSER) Forum on 15th January, and the Green Hydrogen Summit, Zayed Sustainability Prize Forum, and Investor Connect on 16th January. ADSW will culminate with the Masdar City Festival on 17-18 January, celebrating innovation and community engagement in sustainability.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, the Youth 4 Sustainability (Y4S) Hub will participate in Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2025 from 14-16 January at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.

Y4S, Masdar’s global initiative to empower the next generation of sustainability leaders, will deliver a packed programme at ADSW 2025 focused on youth innovation, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills in sustainability, community involvement and international representation. The programme will explore how young people can use artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies to develop climate solutions.

Hosted by Masdar, the Y4S Hub will be held under the theme of Generation Now - Building the Future, and will explore technology, sustainability and youth entrepreneurship by empowering youth to engage with government officials, industry leaders, investors, experts and their peers.

The Y4S Hub offers a dynamic programme centred around five key pillars: Unlocking Potential, Driving Progress; Innovating for the Energy Transformation; Empowering Entrepreneurs for a Resilient World; Cultivating STEM Skills for a Sustainable Future; and Fostering Global Collaboration and Cultural Exchange.

Mohamed Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, said:

The Youth 4 Sustainability (Y4S) Hub will host the Annual Y4S Forum, which includes dynamic interactive sessions, engaging debates, insightful panels and inspiring keynotes featuring leading experts, entrepreneurs and innovators. It will also host Out-of-Labs, an innovation marketplace showcasing cutting-edge climate technologies and net-zero solutions developed by startups and student projects including Y4S participants; as well as Youth Connect, a series of hands-on workshops covering climate literacy and engaging youth climate negotiation simulations; and Innovate 4 Climate (I4C) Pitch Day, where young innovators will pitch their innovative solutions for water scarcity.

Since 2018, Y4S has hosted four editions of the Y4S Hub during ADSW, welcoming more than 3,000 global youth from around the world and featuring over 200 speakers, including more than 40 heads of state and 65 industry partners. Y4S has also been active in international events, including providing delegates for COP28 in the UAE, which was the first COP to appoint an official Youth Climate Champion.

• Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2025 will connect leaders from government, the private sector and civil society to accelerate sustainable progress

• Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE), ADNOC, World Wide Technology (WWT), Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), EMSTEEL Group and Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) will be key partners for ADSW 2025

• Partnerships underscore ADSW’s unique role as a dynamic hub for collective action, where forward-thinking industry leaders, investors, and policymakers unite to explore cutting-edge solutions and scale socio-economic and environmental sustainable growth

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), the global platform supported by the UAE and hosted by its clean energy leader Masdar, has announced key partners for the 2025 edition, which will take place from January 12 to 18 in the UAE capital.

Distinguished partners for ADSW 2025 include the Department of Energy (DoE) as principal partner, ADNOC as strategic partner, World Wide Technology (WWT) as strategic partner, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) and EMSTEEL Group as associate partners, and Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) as opening ceremony associate partner. These partnerships will support greater cross-sector collaboration at ADSW 2025 and play a crucial role in advancing sustainable systems transformation.

Held under the theme ‘The Nexus of Next. Supercharging Sustainable Progress,’ ADSW 2025 will harness collective intelligence through dialogues and dedicated platforms, uniting government officials, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, youth, and other stakeholders to accelerate sustainable development and drive economic, social, and environmental progress. ADSW 2025 will spotlight the UAE’s visionary role, leveraging its unique ability to catalyze positive change through connection, bringing together the global community to create a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future for all.

HE Dr. Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy said:

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), praised the strategic partnership between DEWA and Masdar in the renewable energy sector, highlighting the key role of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in advancing innovation across various areas of sustainability.

“We are pleased to once again partner with Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, which has become a vital platform supporting sustainability efforts and bringing together prominent experts and specialists to exchange experiences, knowledge and best practice. It also showcases the latest green solutions and technologies while fostering partnerships in the renewable energy sector. Our collaboration with ADSW reflects DEWA’s commitment to supporting the UAE’s leadership in accelerating global net zero efforts. Together, we aim to develop innovative energy solutions that contribute to building a sustainable future for us and for generations to come,” added Al Tayer.

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

Omar Suwaina Al Suwaidi, ADNOC Executive Director of the Executive Office and Sustainability Directorate, said:

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, said:

Eng. Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, Group Chief Executive Officer of EMSTEEL, stated:

Warrick Cramer, Managing Director, GSP International, World Wide Technology, said:

Additional confirmed partners of ADSW 2025 include Mubadala, Huawei, GE Vernova, HSBC, Agility, Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), TotalEnergies, Fertiglobe, 1PointFive, bp, BEEAH, Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) and Dii Desert Energy.

• Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Summit 2025 will convene 13 heads of state, policymakers, business leaders and technology pioneers to explore pathways to fast-tracking the transformation to a sustainable economy

• Under the theme ‘The Nexus of Next. Supercharging Sustainable Progress,’ the Summit will showcase how the convergence of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and human expertise can supercharge sustainable progress and create a more prosperous future for all

• Heads of state representing Albania, Azerbaijan, Finland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Uganda and Uzbekistan among global leaders attending the ADSW Summit to accelerate sustainable development

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2025 will convene 13 heads of state and over 140 ministers and government officials alongside business and technology leaders at the ADSW Summit to supercharge socioeconomic and technological progress and unlock a potential $10 trillion economic transformation opportunity.

As the anchor event of ADSW, the ADSW Summit, taking place on January 14-15, will include 34 dedicated sessions with more than 70 speakers, aiming to foster dialogue and collaboration on advancing sustainable development and drive inclusive, impactful action. Held under the ADSW theme – "The Nexus of Next. Supercharging Sustainable Progress" – the Summit will explore how to leverage the convergence of human ingenuity and advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) to deliver a resilient, inclusive and prosperous future.

Heads of state participating in the ADSW Summit include: H.E. Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan; H.E. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan; H.E William Ruto, President of Kenya; H.E. Bola Tinubu, President of Nigeria; H.E. Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda; H.E. Wavel Ramkalawan, President of Seychelles; H.E. Yoweri Museveni, President of Uganda; H.E. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Uzbekistan; H.E Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania; H.E Petteri Orpo Prime Minister of Finland; H.E. Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy; H.E. Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia.

His Excellency Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of Masdar, said: “Under the theme, ‘The Nexus of Next: Supercharging Sustainable Progress’, ADSW 2025 invites you to discover the unprecedented socioeconomic opportunities that lie on the horizon and stand at the Nexus of Next. ADSW is not just a platform, but a bold call to action to explore and learn how interconnected systems are driving a new era of supercharged progress, unlocking endless possibilities to help build a better tomorrow for all.”

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

As a dynamic hub for collaboration, ADSW Summit’s action-oriented agenda provides a vital platform for collective efforts to address key topics, including the global energy systems transformation, the impact of AI and other emerging technologies, as well as water and food security. The Summit features an engaging program of keynote addresses, panel discussions, and fireside chats to highlight opportunities for sustainable development and unlock opportunities for economic transformation.

The summit will feature high-level discussions on topics such as the reshaping of global investment patterns through the digital-climate nexus, financing for the future, modeling climate risk with big data, innovations in energy storage, and the ripple effects of changing behaviors toward a sustainable future.

Other top-level speakers and panelists for the ADSW Summit 2025 include:

H.E. Razan Al Mubarak, President, IUCN; H.E. Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and CEO, ENEC; H.E. Saeed Al Remeithi, Group CEO, EMSTEEL; Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, Special Envoy for Financing the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, United Nations; Musabbeh Al Kaabi, CEO Upstream, ADNOC; Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO, Masdar; Øyvind Eriksen, CEO and President, Aker ASA; Himanshu Gupta, CEO and co-founder of ClimateAi; Mr. Mohamed Al Marzooqi, CEO - UAE, HSBC; Lord Adair Turner, Chair of the Energy Transitions Commission; Catherine MacGregor, CEO of Engie; Greg Jackson, CEO of Octopus Energy, among others.

Reflecting ADSW’s commitment to driving sustainability, Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) is providing this year’s event with Clean Energy Certificates covering the consumption of approximately 305 megawatts (MW) – the required amount to power ADSW 2025 from January 14-16 at ADNEC.

Hosted by Masdar, the UAE’s clean energy leader, ADSW 2025 also features a number of other key events throughout the week, designed to engage all global stakeholders.

Key dates for ADSW 2025 include:

• Emirates Global Aluminium has signed a three-year agreement to be Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) Associate Partner

• ADSW will convene industry and civil society leaders, entrepreneurs, and other key stakeholders to accelerate economic, social, and environmental progress

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), the global platform for addressing the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges, announced today that Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the largest industrial company in the UAE outside oil and gas, has signed a three-year partnership agreement.

Under the agreement, signed by Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, and Abdul Nasser Bin Kalban, EGA Chief Executive Officer, EGA will be the ADSW Associate Partner from 2025 to 2027.

ADSW, hosted by Masdar, brings together policymakers, industry and civil society leaders, entrepreneurs, and other key stakeholders to accelerate economic, social, and environmental progress in line with the UAE’s long-term sustainability vision and net-zero objectives. The event will showcase how the convergence of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), energy and human expertise can supercharge sustainable development and unlock a potential $10 trillion-plus economic opportunity.

As the first major event in the global sustainability calendar, ADSW 2025 – held under the theme “The Nexus of Next. Supercharging Sustainable Progress”– will take place from January 12 to 18 in the UAE capital. ADSW 2025 will feature an engaging program of high-profile sessions, forums, partner-led events and high-level networking opportunities, bringing the global community together to create a sustainable, resilient and inclusive future.

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

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, said:

EGA has publicly committed to reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, in line with the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative. Last year, EGA implemented a digital system to track greenhouse gas emissions to enhance transparency and accelerate decarbonization, in line with the UAE’s National MRV Transparency System. EGA was also the first company to produce aluminium commercially using solar power, which is marketed under the product name CelestiAL, starting in 2021.

For more information, please visit www.adsw.ae.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, the 2025 edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) will take place from 12-18 January in Abu Dhabi, bringing together global leaders to accelerate sustainable development and advance socioeconomic progress.

As the first major event in the global sustainability calendar, ADSW 2025, themed ‘The Nexus of Next. Supercharging Sustainable Progress’, will connect and empower policymakers and business and civil society leaders to explore pathways to fast-track the transformation to a sustainable economy and spark a new era of prosperity for all.

The event will showcase how the convergence of advanced technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), energy and human expertise can supercharge sustainable development and unlock a potential US$10 trillion economic transformation opportunity.

His Excellency Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of Masdar, said:

ADSW 2025 confirmed partners include the Department of Energy (DoE), Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), EMSTEEL, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), Mubadala, Huawei, GE Vernova, HSBC, Agility, Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), TotalEnergies, Fertiglobe, 1PointFive, bp, BEEAH, Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) and Dii Desert Energy.

For more than 15 years, ADSW has provided a global platform to foster multi-stakeholder collaboration to address global challenges and accelerate growth. It has enabled high-value agreements and strategic partnerships between governments, industry leaders, and clean energy pioneers worldwide, driving impactful alliances and advancing the global sustainability agenda.

Standing at the intersection of bold new ideas and action, ADSW 2025 recognizes the need for widescale systemic change, connecting energy, data, finance, trade, and natural ecosystems to drive exponential, sustainable growth. ADSW 2025 will feature an engaging program of high-profile sessions, forums, partner-led events and high-level networking opportunities.

ADSW 2025 begins with the annual IRENA Assembly, taking place on 12 and 13 January, and the Global Climate Finance Annual Meeting on 13 January. The ADSW Opening Ceremony, held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) on Tuesday, 14 January, will set the scene for the week ahead. The ADSW Summit and the Green Hydrogen Summit will convene global leaders for impactful dialogues focused on fostering collaboration, unlocking investment opportunities and enabling cutting-edge partnerships. As one of the key events under ADSW, the World Future Energy Summit will continue to play a critical role in driving business growth and knowledge sharing. Over the years, the World Future Energy Summit has fostered a remarkable number of transactions, with 450 companies exhibiting in 2024. In 2025, the summit will feature the Innovation Hub, providing space for over 55 entrepreneurs and startups to showcase their breakthrough technologies and inventions to the public.

ADSW 2025 will also feature the annual Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER) forum, amplifying women’s voices in the sustainability debate and will bring 3,500 young people together with its Youth 4 Sustainability (Y4S) Forum and Hub, actively engaging youth in a three-day program designed to empower them to act, innovate and become climate leaders.

The Zayed Sustainability Prize – the UAE’s pioneering award for innovative solutions to global challenges – will also hold a series of events at ADSW 2025, including the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony on 14 January and the Forum & Investor Connect. The Zayed Sustainability Prize honors and empowers those who are spearheading transformative change across the categories of Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action, and Global High Schools. Over the past 16 years, the 117 Prize winners have positively impacted more than 384 million lives worldwide, creating sustainable economic and social development opportunities, and improving access to affordable and reliable energy, safe drinking water, nutritious food and quality healthcare.

Key dates for ADSW 2025 include the IRENA Assembly on 12-13 January, followed by the Global Climate Finance Annual Meeting on 13 January. The ADSW Opening Ceremony and Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony will take place on 14 January, while the ADSW Summit will take place on 14-15 January. The World Future Energy Summit, Youth 4 Sustainability (Y4S) Forum and Hub will take place on 14-16 January. 15 January will feature the Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER) Forum, while 16 January will host the Green Hydrogen Summit, Zayed Sustainability Prize Forum and Investor Connect. The event will conclude with The Festival at Masdar City on 17-18 January.

For more information, please visit www.adsw.ae.

· Masdar is a Principal Pathway Partner for UN climate change conference
· At COP28 Masdar will showcase its story as clean energy pioneer and global leader in sustainability
· The Masdar Stand at COP28 will be located in the Energy Transition Hub in the Green Zone
· Program of events will highlight women and young people as the sustainability leaders of tomorrow

Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC – Masdar, the UAE’s clean energy pioneer, is gearing up to support the nation’s renewable energy ambitions and leadership at the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28). 

As a COP28 Principal Pathway Partner, Masdar will maintain a highly visible presence throughout the 12-day event with a packed program of events, activations, discussions and forums. Aimed at a wide range of audiences, Masdar’s activities will also have a special emphasis on supporting women sustainability leaders and young people interested in a career in the sector. 

The Masdar Stand, located within the Energy Transition Hub in COP28’s Green Zone, will showcase the company’s history and ambitions. Visitors to the stand will discover the key role that Masdar is playing in supporting the UAE’s clean energy commitments and its target to become the world’s largest renewable energy company and a green hydrogen champion by 2030, placing the UAE at the forefront of the energy transition. 

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Masdar’s Chief Executive Officer, said

Masdar’s strategic initiatives will be well-represented at COP28.  This includes Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), a global initiative championed by the UAE and Masdar to accelerate sustainable development and advance economic, social, and environmental progress.

The Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER) global platform that champions women as leaders of sustainable change and Youth 4 Sustainability (Y4S), which supports the development of young people to enable them to become the sustainability leaders of tomorrow, will also host a number of events.

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi added:

Masdar’s presence at COP28 will spotlight the impressive renewable credentials the company has built since its formation in 2006 under its founding CEO, and now Chairman, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, who has been a pioneer of the global renewable energy sector for 17 years.  

As the UAE’s clean energy champion, Masdar’s global footprint has expanded exponentially over the past few years, with new renewable energy projects currently under development in Europe, Africa, Central Asia, the Americas. This includes the Cirata floating solar plant in Indonesia, the largest in South-East Asia, and the Garadagh Solar PV Plant, Azerbaijan’s first foreign investment-based independent utility scale solar project.

Now active in more than 40 countries, across six continents, Masdar has developed more than 20GW of renewables capacity, invested more than US$30bn, and is targeting a 100GW portfolio by 2030. 

• Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week and Masdar-produced report finds decarbonization budgets are significant source of concern, with less than a third of executives believing their funds are adequate
• 60 percent of organizations taking steps to reduce emissions but have not yet set net-zero targets, with reliable financing the main barrier to accelerating commitments
• Half of industry executives now believe net zero is more feasible than previously but call on governments to boost support

Executives from ‘hard-to-abate’ industries have called for increased financing to support decarbonization efforts, following the release of a landmark report that outlines less than a third believe they have adequate budgets to do so, and over half have not yet set net-zero targets.

Reducing emissions in the hard-to-abate industries – cement, steel, aluminum, petrochemicals, shipping, aviation, heavy industry, and manufacturing – is vital in the effort to combat climate change, with industry and transport accounting for almost half of global emissions. 

The findings from ‘Hard to Abate, Ready to Start’, published today by Masdar, the host of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), in partnership with FT Longitude, furthers the discussion on decarbonization by identifying the biggest hurdles, and what is needed to drive greater action in the lead up to the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in the UAE.

Although challenging, the report finds that half of senior industry leaders are more confident that net zero in their business is more achievable today compared to a few years ago.

HE Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, COP28 President-Designate, and Chairman of Masdar, said “COP28 will see the conclusion of the Global Stocktake, offering a review of progress against the Paris Agreement. We know that the results will show a significant gap in where we are and where we need to be. The UAE is committed to addressing this, to reigniting momentum and to bringing the goal of 1.5 within reach. Addressing carbon emissions in hard-to-abate sectors is a priority in that regard. There is simply no path to net-zero that does not include decarbonizing these essential industries.”

Despite the optimism that exists across the industry, and the emergence of innovative new technologies to capture and store carbon, reliable finance remains a major barrier for accelerating progress for many senior executives. Despite strong progress across the sector over the past decade, 60 percent of organizations surveyed across Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and North America have still not set decarbonization targets, and leaders from those organizations cite a lack of reliable finance as the main barrier for committing to targets. 83 percent and 62 percent of senior executives from the Middle East and Asia-Pacific respectively highlighted that they are taking steps to reduce emissions but have not set a target date for completion. Further, only 30 percent of senior executives overall, indicated their budgets will be able to meet decarbonization needs, and more than 50 percent are concerned about the impact of global economic headwinds on decarbonization investment.

Ahead of COP28, the UAE Presidency has made clear that access to finance and capital will be a priority, noting that both governments and private sector partners require the resources needed to commit to transformative action. This includes investing in the breakthrough technologies and innovations needed to drive ambition, such as carbon capture and storage, and other forms of decarbonization.

In addition to financing hurdles, the report also highlights the disparity in available technologies to accelerate decarbonization. Despite the progress made in recent years, the research outlines the gap in “frontier” technologies available at a commercial scale, delaying energy-intensive industries in ramping up decarbonization efforts. 

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, said “Building on important momentum gained during ADSW 2023, this report is a vital tool to drive forward decarbonization in hard-to-abate industries. Masdar, a global clean energy powerhouse, will continue to play a leading role by fostering global collaboration amongst governments and private sector partners. We intend to seize the opportunity of utility-scale renewable energy and focus our investments in frontier technologies like sustainable aviation fuel and green hydrogen to help accelerate global progress ahead of COP28 and beyond.”

As well as calling for greater industry collaboration, the report highlights the importance of increased public sector support and calls upon global governments to deliver innovative incentives across funding, legislation, and taxation to support national net-zero targets. As highlighted in the report, only 24 percent of senior executives expect to receive funding from government funds or incentives and 41 percent believe that without greater incentives and funding they will be unable to meet their domestic market’s net-zero targets.

Publication of today’s report comes ahead of the UAE’s preparations to host COP28 later this year. This global event will act as a major milestone in progressing conversations and inclusive solutions across all sectors, including those hard-to-abate industries. In convening key players from this sector, COP28 will aim to accelerate climate action and deliver concrete outcomes and solutions for climate change. 

In his role as COP President-Designate, Dr Al Jaber has emphasized the need to address gaps by bringing public and private partners together in a “COP of Action, and a COP for All”. The UAE is firmly committed to an inclusive approach to climate action that includes industry leaders, civil society, academics, women, youth, and indigenous peoples.  

In addition to COP28, ‘Hard to Abate, Ready to Start’ will help frame discussions at the upcoming International Energy Week in London and S&P CERA Week in Houston, Texas.

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) is a global initiative championed by the UAE and its clean energy powerhouse Masdar, to accelerate sustainable development and advance economic, social, and environmental progress. Established in 2008, ADSW provides a global platform for all who have a stake in the future of our planet. ADSW brings together leaders from across governments, the private sector and civil society, to discuss and engage on bold climate action and the innovations that will ensure a sustainable world for future generations.

Read the full report here.

• Held under the patronage of UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ADSW 2023 opening ceremony was attended by His Highness and 13 heads of state and prime ministers
• Across six days, a series of landmark agreements were signed, positioning the UAE as a leader on climate action
• Anchor event, ADSW Summit, covered the upcoming COP28, pathway to net zero, transformative tech, financing climate action, and food and energy security 
• ADSW’s first Green Hydrogen Summit convened global leaders to discuss the development of the UAE hydrogen economy, green energy in Africa and hydrogen’s value chain 
• ADSW 2023 hosted 36,000 participants from 170 countries, including 13 heads of state and more than 600 global speakers 

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), successfully concluded its fifteenth edition, with a resounding show of commitment to climate action ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), to be held in the UAE later this year.

Under the theme of ‘United on Climate Action Towards COP28,’ the six-day event was the first global sustainability gathering of a critical year, and it served as the first official platform for the recently announced COP28 leadership team, led by H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, COP28 President-Designate, and Chairman of Masdar. In his keynote at the Opening Ceremony, H.E. Dr. Al Jaber called for the world to come together around COP28 to cooperate and collaborate and turn rhetoric into tangible results.

Global dignitaries, including 13 heads of state and a record number of attendees, convened to progress dialogue on the transition to a net-zero future. The event was held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE who attended the opening ceremony with Yoon Suk Yeol, President of the Republic of Korea, and Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan delivering keynote speeches. 

Championed by the UAE and its clean energy powerhouse, Masdar, ADSW 2023, also welcomed world leaders including: Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Wavel Ramkalawan, President of the Republic of Seychelles; João Manuel Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola; Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia; Nana Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana; Yoweri Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda; Surangel Whipps Jr., President of the Republic of Palau; Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of the Republic of Mozambique; Aziz Akhannouch, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Morocco; Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia; and Tiemoko Meyliet, Vice President of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire.

During the opening ceremony, 10 winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize from five continents were recognized for their achievements in driving innovative and scalable sustainability solutions. 
Other major events that took place throughout the week included the 13th IRENA Assembly, the supreme decision-making body of the International Renewable Energy Agency. IRENA members confirmed their readiness to support the UAE’s COP28 presidency and committed to leveraging international cooperation through the Agency’s global platform.

The Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum, which annually convenes the world’s top energy and foreign policy decisionmakers hosted its seventh meeting at ADSW. Guests including H.E. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, the Rt. Hon. Grant Shapps MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy for the UK, John Kerry, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, and Bernard Mensah, President of International for Bank of America discussed the geopolitical and geo-economic implications of the energy transition.

The flagship ADSW Summit brought together global decision-makers and thought leaders in sustainability to discuss innovative pathways to net zero, practical solutions to finance climate action, and transformative tech for food and energy security. The event featured past and present leaders of COP, including H.E. Razan Al Mubarak, the UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, H.E. Laurent Fabius, President of France’s Constitutional Council, H.E. Sameh Shoukry, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and COP27 President, and Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC. Collectively they highlighted the need to build on past successes and leverage the COP process to deliver on the Paris Agreement, ahead of the UAE’s hosting of COP28 and the highly anticipated Global Stocktake. 

The inaugural Green Hydrogen Summit was also held during ADSW. Hosted by Masdar’s green hydrogen business, the Summit convened more than 50 leading global hydrogen players, gathering key representatives across regulation, policy and the green hydrogen value chain.

Masdar, the host of ADSW, announced multiple global projects and agreements showing it is on track to meet the target of 100 GW of clean energy by 2030. These included up to 5GW of renewable energy projects with three African nations under the Etihad 7 UAE-backed funding umbrella. 

Also announced were agreements with the Kyrgyz Republic’s Ministry of Energy to develop renewable projects with a capacity of up to 1 GW, an agreement with the Kazakhstan Investment Development Fund to develop a wind power plant with up to 1 GW capacity, and an agreement with Azerbaijan state oil company SOCCAR to develop up to 4 GW of renewable energy projects. 
A first wave of investment of US$20 billion was also announced as part of the US-UAE Partnership to Accelerate Clean Energy (PACE), with Masdar and a consortium of US private investors leading the funding and development of 15 GW of clean energy projects in the US by 2035. 

ADSW provided a platform for engaging and empowering young people and women in sustainability in the lead-up to COP28. The Youth 4 Sustainability (Y4S) Hub brought together more than 3,000 leaders, experts, entrepreneurs, and young delegates to discuss ways to advance youth engagement across climate action. The annual Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER) Forum hosted influential figures from around the world for a roundtable discussion on ‘Empowering Women to Lead Climate Adaptation’. 

Returning to an in-person format this year, Abu Dhabi Global Market hosted the fifth edition of the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum to conclude the week’s events. It convened 50 global institutional investors, government leaders, regulators, and financial institutions.

ADSW was supported by the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, COP28 UAE, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, TAQA, Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, Mubadala Investment Company, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, General Electric, The Climate Pledge, Investcorp, Expo City Dubai, TotalEnergies, Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau, Schneider Electric, 1PointFive, Fertiglobe, PepsiCo, Emirates Development Bank, HSBC, Baker Hughes, BEEAH, UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Ne’ma, Emirates Water and Electricity Company, McKinsey and Etihad Airways.