H.E. Eng. Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy & Petroleum Affairs at the UAE’s Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure

Solar and clean energy was in the spotlight on the second day of the World Future Energy Summit, where industry stakeholders discussed solutions to advance renewable energy solutions.

H.E. Eng. Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy & Petroleum Affairs at the UAE’s Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure, spoke about the future of clean energy systems in the country. In his keynote speech, he underlined the steps the UAE has taken to accentuate the clean energy transition.

"Today, we proudly boast three of the world's largest and most cost-effective solar plants," he said, adding that “Additionally, the Barakah nuclear energy plan plays a critical role in diversifying our energy measures, providing up to 25% of the UAE’s electricity needs.”

The country’s national hydrogen strategy was marked with the goal of positioning the UAE as a key producer and exporter of low-carbon hydrogen.

“The strategy helps accelerate the global hydrogen economy and will scale up local hydrogen production to 1.4 million tons per annum by the year 2031 and 15 million tons per annum by the year 2050.”

At the same time, the UAE’s energy strategy 2050 aims to triple the contribution of renewable energy in the country. “It aims to invest between US$40bn and US$55bn by the year 2030 to meet the country’s increasing demand for energy as a result of a rapidly growing economy.”

H.E. Eng. Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy & Petroleum Affairs at the UAE’s Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure highlighted the urgency of transformative action in the energy sector.

“Achieving meaningful form of progress in the clean energy transition requires the mobilisation of resources and investments in renewable energy for projects at both national and global levels.

“Strategic investments are essential for reducing emissions and strengthening the resilience of energy systems worldwide.”

This initiative offers startups a high-profile stage to present groundbreaking solutions. (Image source: Intersec)

Intersec 2025, the leading global event for safety, security, and fire protection, has partnered with Ignyte, a digital platform developed by Dubai International Financial Centre, to launch the Intersec Startup Arena.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Intersec 2025 will host 1,200 exhibitors and over 42,000 trade visitors from 14-16 January 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

This initiative offers startups a high-profile stage to present groundbreaking solutions to key industry leaders, government officials, and investors.

The Intersec Startup Arena will showcase how emerging technologies are revolutionising safety and security sectors. Participating startups will gain access to valuable networking opportunities with major brands, government entities, and organisations seeking innovative solutions. This comes at a time when the global cybersecurity market is expected to hit US$500bn by 2030, with AI in security projected to reach US$60bn by 2029, underscoring the urgency for innovation-driven growth.

Ignyte, a core initiative of the Dubai Digital Economy Strategy, aims to support 100,000 startups by 2029, fostering entrepreneurial growth and connecting startups with global investors and mentors. Intersec 2025 further cements its role as a hub for innovation in security and safety, helping startups turn ideas into commercially viable solutions through strategic exposure and partnerships.

The World Future Energy Summit 2025 will continue to build the blueprint for a sustainable future. (Image source: WFES)

The Middle East’s role as a new global fuels hub, the potential impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in energy industry transformation, and potential pathways to a sustainable and resilient future are a trio of critical issues to be explored when the World Future Energy Summit returns to Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from 14-16 January as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2025 (ADSW)

Hosted by Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s World Future Energy Summit – now globally recognised as the world’s premier business event focused on future energy and sustainability – will bring together pioneering energy sector minds, policy and decision-makers, and industry innovators to demonstrate, discuss and debate cutting-edge solutions and trends shaping a sustainable and resilient energy future.

The summit will explore broader regional trends, bringing together the global players who can help the UAE achieve its goal of increasing the proportion of clean energy in the country’s overall mix from its current level of 27.83% to 32% by 2030.

“Masdar’s pioneering and innovative track record as the UAE’s clean energy powerhouse provides demonstrable evidence of the UAE’s ambitious clean energy goals and the region’s growing prominence as a sustainability leader,” remarked Masdar CEO, Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi. “As a founding host and longstanding supporter of the World Future Energy Summit, we look forward to working with global partners, leaders and innovators to enable solutions to some of the world’s most pressing climate challenges.”

“The World Future Energy Summit is not just another industry event—it’s the heart of innovation and collaboration for building a sustainable energy future at a critical juncture,” added Leen AlSebai, general manager of RX Middle East and head of the World Future Energy Summit. “Energy demands and landscapes are constantly evolving, and our 2025 edition will draw on key trends and learnings from 2024 to continue propelling the industry forward. As we chart a sustainable future, we’ll place special focus on the Middle East’s role in the future of fuels and a carbon-neutral approach to economic growth.”

Summit host, Masdar will emphasise the need for cross-sector collaboration to achieve global energy transition goals in support of the tripling of global renewable capacity set out in the UAE Consensus. The 2025 edition will spotlight how countries across the region and internationally are capitalising on emerging clean energy opportunities. It will feature exclusive sessions exploring the evolving strategies of regional and international energy companies as they lead the charge towards decarbonisation, spurred by commitments made at COP28 in the UAE.

Bridging global and regional clean energy agendas

The summit’s agenda will reflect the UAE’s ambitious clean energy goals and the region’s growing prominence as a sustainability leader. Dedicated conference streams will discuss landmark UAE projects and their contributions toward the UAE Energy Strategy 2050. The event will also highlight the Emirates’ rising stature in the global green hydrogen market, with recent reports ranking it first in hydrogen market readiness in the Middle East.

Faisal Rashid, senior director, Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, will take part in a panel discussion on ‘Energy Efficiency: Balancing cost, incentives, and sustainability’, and sees the summit as a key enabler in promoting the UAE’s clean energy strategies. "My main objective is to leverage this international platform to promote energy efficiency and sustainability practices, share our expertise in energy strategy activation, and exchange knowledge with other professionals in the field,” said Rashid. “Participating in this event highlights our commitment to advancing the UAE's clean energy strategy and Net Zero targets. By collaborating with industry leaders and sharing best practices, we can strengthen our position as a key global hub for sustainable energy solutions, driving economic growth while promoting a healthier environment and a better quality of life for future generations."

The conference will also focus on AI and its role in transforming energy ecosystems, given the technology’s potential to optimise energy use, forecast demand, and enhance production efficiency as global consumption levels grow. In-depth discussions will probe how AI can be integrated into energy infrastructure without compromising sustainability efforts.

Elsewhere, participants will have access to six exhibition tracks covering solar energy, EcoWASTE, water, clean energy, smart cities, and climate & environment, while spotlighting regional leaders like Masdar.

Seven conference streams will support the exhibition, providing in-depth discussions on topics such as Pathways to 1.5°C, Water and Food Security, Sustainable Cities, Waste Management, and Green Finance. A dedicated focus on women in energy through initiatives like CLIX will also be under in the spotlight, as well as a deep dive into innovation and the role of entrepreneurs in tackling some of the most critical challenges of our time. The 2025 edition of the World Future Energy Summit will also explore the role of the Middle East in creating a new trade network for clean energy, with key initiatives across the region, featuring UAE-based companies such as ACWA Power, leading the way.

With more than 400 global companies and 350 industry speakers expected to take part, the World Future Energy Summit 2025 will serve as a nexus for investment, innovation and knowledge exchange across industries and is not one to be missed.

Visit the website to learn more by clicking here and register for the conference by clicking here

The event opened on 26 November. (Image source: Big 5 Global)

The 45th Big 5 Global officially began at Dubai World Trade Centre, bringing together government officials, industry pioneers, and decision-makers to spotlight the MEASA region's construction sector, underscored by US$9 trillion worth of ongoing and upcoming projects.

The opening day of Big 5 Global offered a packed agenda of strategic summits, including LiveableCitiesX, Future FM, and GeoWorld, alongside key events like the Big 5 Global Leaders’ Summit and the IFMA Global | Middle East Summit.

On the exhibition floor, some prominent companies secured major deals and forged partnerships

The event also celebrated international cooperation through country pavilions such as Turkiye, China, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Italy and others.

“The successful opening of the 45th edition of Big 5 Global has been remarkable, as we witnessed an inspiring day of thought-provoking discussions, where leaders from across the industry came together to share insights and ideas for the future of construction. It was also a day of tremendous business activity, with companies signing new partnerships and deals, showcasing the continued growth and importance of Big 5 Global as a hub for collaboration, innovation and opportunity within the urban development and construction sector,” said Josine Heijmans, senior vice president, dmg events.