The World Future Energy Summit 2025 has officially opened at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), marking the beginning of three days of high-level debates and product innovation showcases. Hosted by Masdar, the summit is a key event of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, focused on advancing clean energy and sustainability.
A highlight of the event was an all-female session discussing the transformative impact of women in leadership and entrepreneurship in decarbonizing energy systems. Moderated by Isabel O’Brien, Editor of Privitas and Co-Founder of the Association of Women in Business Journalism, the session opened the two-day Pathways to 1.5C Forum. Beena Sharma, CEO and Co-Founder of CCU International, emphasized the importance of involving women in technological advancements to achieve net-zero carbon goals, stating that 50% of the technologies required for carbon capture are still in early stages of development.
The summit also addressed the urgent need for new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to reflect the climate reality, with Greenpeace and Emirates Nature-WWF advocating for more ambitious climate action. Nadia Rouchdy from Emirates Nature–WWF called for more leadership and ambition in implementing NDCs to ensure their integration into the real economy, stressing that climate action cannot be separated from economic development.
In a keynote at the Summit’s Water Conference, His Excellency Eng Ahmed Alkaabi, Undersecretary Assistant for Electricity, Water & Future Energy at the UAE Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure, outlined the UAE’s strategy to address water challenges through sustainable development and innovative solutions, including the expansion of desalination technology and the use of renewable energy in the water sector.
The eMobility stage at the Summit also highlighted the future of electric vehicles (EVs), with a focus on autonomous vehicles and battery technology. Faisal Sultan of Lucid Motors discussed the company’s efforts to make EVs more efficient and affordable, contributing to broader adoption.
Global CMX, an international energy and government relations firm, also launched its UAE expansion during the summit. The firm unveiled a $500 million investment portfolio in renewable energy projects in Australia, including energy storage and solar projects, in line with the UAE-Australia Free Trade Agreement, aimed at fostering cross-border investments in green technologies.
Additionally, Abu Dhabi hosted the first-ever IRENA Innovation Day, bringing together experts and stakeholders to discuss how digital technologies like AI, blockchain, and Digital Twins can accelerate the global energy transition. Francesco La Camera, Director General of IRENA, emphasized the role of digitalization in meeting climate goals while ensuring equitable access to technology across developed and developing countries.
The World Future Energy Summit 2025 continues to be a platform for industry-shaping discussions, innovative product showcases, and strategic partnerships aimed at driving the global clean energy transition.
