When and where is the summit held?

On 19 and 20 October 2026 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The published agenda runs from about 10:50 am to 3:30 pm on day one and from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm on day two.

What is the theme of this edition?

The fourth edition runs under the theme "Resilience for a Sustainable Future" and is held under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.

How much does it cost to attend?

The Delegate Pass is listed at USD 400 (USD 200 early bird) and includes reserved main-stage seating, coffee breaks and lunch. A Visitor Pass gives access to the summit area, panels and exhibiting partners. Registration runs through the Forbes Middle East event page.

Who speaks at the summit?

Confirmed speakers include H.E. Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, senior officials from the ministry, Khalifa University, IRENA, NMDC, Siemens Energy, PwC and other companies and universities.

Who is the summit for?

Leaders from government, business, investment and academia working on sustainability, energy, infrastructure, ESG and long-term economic resilience in the UAE and the wider region.

Forbes Middle East Sustainability Leaders Summit 2026

Name: Forbes Middle East Sustainability Leaders Summit 2026 – 4th Edition
Start: 2026-10-19T10:35:00+00:00
End: 2026-10-20T15:25:00+00:00
Location: ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi

About this event

The Forbes Middle East Sustainability Leaders Summit returns to Abu Dhabi for its fourth edition under the theme "Resilience for a Sustainable Future", held under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. Over two days, ministers, CEOs, investors, academics and young leaders discuss how economies, institutions and companies can anticipate disruption and still grow sustainably.

What's covered

The programme moves from national and institutional resilience on day one to financing and building the industries of tomorrow on day two.

Energy security and the power demands of AI and data centres
The Abu Dhabi model of economic diversification
Infrastructure engineered for climate adaptation
Sustainable finance and long-term investment
Research commercialisation and future industries
Water, food and nature as economic assets
Skills for the sustainable economy

Formats

Sessions mix ministerial conversations, panel discussions, fireside chats, an executive case study, an interactive investment simulation and an opening dialogue in which UAE school students question the Minister of Climate Change and Environment.

Who attends

Senior officials from the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and other government bodies, corporate leaders from companies such as NMDC, Siemens Energy, Emirates Cement and PwC, investors, university leaders and the next generation of sustainability professionals.

Tickets & passes

Delegate Pass — USD 400: Early bird USD 200. Reserved main-stage seating, priority registration, coffee breaks and lunch, post-event content pack
Visitor Pass: Access to the summit area, panel discussions and exhibiting partners; general networking

Forbes Middle East Sustainability Leaders Summit 2026 – 4th Edition is an Energy & Environment event taking place 19-20 Oct 2026 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Speakers26

Khuloud Al Omian
CEO
H.E. Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak
UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment
Eng. Yasser Zaghloul
Group CEO, NMDC
H.E. Abdulla Abdulalee Abdulla Al Humaidan
Director General, Zayed Authority for People of Determination
Prof. Ebrahim Al Hajri
President of Khalifa University of Science and Technology
H.E. Dr. Nawal Alhosany
Permanent Representative of the UAE to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
H.E. Hiba Obaid Alshehhi
Assistant Undersecretary, Biodiversity and Marine Life Sector, UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment
H.E. Eng. Alya Abdelrahim Alharmoodi
Assistant Undersecretary, Sustainable Communities Sector, UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment
H.E. Dr. Amal Abdelrahim
Assistant Undersecretary, Support Services Sector and Chief AI Officer, UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment
H.E. Dr. Alanoud Abdulla Alhaj Al Ali
Assistant Undersecretary, Climate Change and Green Development Sector, UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment
Dr. Aaesha Ali Hashem
Board Member, NMDC Group
Eng. Niels de Bruijn
CEO, NMDC Dredging & Marine (UAE)
Khaled Ahmed Bin Braik
Senior Partner, PwC
Professor Ken McPhail
Head of Alliance Manchester Business School, The University of Manchester
Hugo Losada
CEO, Emirates Cement, part of EMSTEEL Group (UAE)
Rania Masri El Khatib
CEO, The Giving Movement
Lady Eve Laws
Chairwoman, Maison IG
Roberta Calarese
Founder and CEO, GHAYA
Max Stanley
Behavioural Scientist, Department of Energy Abu Dhabi
Hussein Shoukry
Managing Director, Siemens Energy MEA
Alice Cowman
CEO, Enerwhere
Antonios Vouloudis
Senior Director of Sustainability and Stewardship, New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD)
Ismail Tekin
Founder & CEO, The World Impact Forum
Kareem Shahin
CEO, Abu Dhabi Health Data Services (Malaffi)
Maya Haddad
Senior Sustainability Manager, Ajman University
Ali Zein
Advisory Board Member, University of Oxford Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment