• Anchor event of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Special Edition at COP28 will gather world leaders, global CEOs and international sustainability advocates to identify key sustainability issues for the coming year
• ADSW Summit speakers to include HE Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, HE Dr. Leila Benali, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, The Kingdom of Morocco; Ray Dalio, Founder, Bridgewater Associates; and Makhtar Diop, Managing Director, International Finance Corporation 
• Summit to support unlocking green finance, enabling the Just Energy Transition, and explore how organizations can positively impact society and integrate sustainable practices into every corner of their operations

The ADSW Summit at COP28 will take place December 4 at the Connect Conference Center in Expo City, Dubai. Under the theme “United on Climate Action,” the international gathering will bring together forward-thinking leaders from the public sector, civil society, and business to identify ways to accelerate the just transition to a net-zero future.

ADSW will be crucial in maintaining worldwide climate momentum at COP28 by enabling impactful and inclusive dialogue between all global stakeholders and translating pledges into practical solutions.

The ADSW Summit speakers and program will include:

HE Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, who will participate in a Prime Ministerial interview, highlighting how global climate financing can help build resilience and how capital can be deployed efficiently, equitably and at scale to address the mitigation and adaptation needs of vulnerable regions and communities.

Makhtar Diop, Managing Director of the International Finance Corporation, who will discuss the pressure that the global community is under to unlock trillions of dollars of funds for the transition to a green economy that benefits all, outlining the structural reforms of the global financial system that will trigger funding on a global scale and accelerate the transition to a net-zero and climate-resilient future.

Ray Dalio, Founder and CIO Mentor of Bridgewater Associates, who will explore how we can mobilize the trillions of dollars required to address the pressing challenge of climate change. With a focus on the Blue Economy, Dalio will look at how such large-scale investment could change the global economy in positive ways, contribute to the creation of new industries and new technologies, and promote development in the global south, exploring how long-term investors can leverage these changes and the benefits that they anticipate.

A conversation with renewable energy leaders including Ignacio S. Galán, Executive Chairman of Iberdrola, S.A., and Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar will look at how the global community can ensure that all nations, particularly those with limited resources, can triple renewable power capacity needs by 2030, which is necessary to honor their commitments to the 1.5-degree target endorsed by the G20 in September of 2023.

Her Excellency Dr. Leila Benali, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development for the Kingdom of Morocco, will talk about the pivotal role the energy transition plays in addressing the global energy and climate crisis. Laying out the collaboration, innovative solutions and bold policies needed for the transition, Benali will examine the ways that stakeholders can establish the necessary conditions to facilitate an inclusive energy transition process.

Other ADSW Summit speakers include: HE Seve Paeniu, Minister of Finance, Tuvalu; HE Adegboyega Oyetola, Federal Minister of the Marine and Blue Economy, Nigeria; HE Maria Susana Muhamad, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia; HE Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister for Energy and Infrastructure, United Arab Emirates; Jin Liqun, President and Chair of the Board of Directors, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank; Maví Zingoni, Chief Executive Officer, GE Power; Lorenzo Simonelli, Chairman and CEO, Baker Hughes; Maarten Wetselaar, Chief Executive Officer, Cepsa; and Cate Ambrose, Chief Executive Officer and Board Member, The Global Private Capital Association.

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer, Masdar, said: “During the UAE’s Year of Sustainability, the world is coming together on climate action here in the UAE at COP28. Hosting the ADSW Summit during the Special Edition of ADSW at COP28, will strengthen international collaboration and cross-sector partnerships, and translate pledges into practical solutions for a net-zero future. I look forward to this timely and relevant ADSW Summit, featuring international leaders, and to working together to empower global climate action at a significant time for the world.”

Hosted on COP28’s thematic Finance, Trade and Gender Day, the ADSW Summit will explore what the global community must do to ensure that all nations, including those with limited resources, have access to technologies and innovations at scale, as governments worldwide work toward the goals of the Paris Agreement. The Summit will also examine how organizations can positively impact society and integrate sustainable practices into every corner of their operations. 

As an integral part of this year’s Special Edition of ADSW at COP28, the Summit will spotlight three critical strategic themes: Unlocking Financing for the Green Economy, Enabling the Just Energy Transition, and Making Business Sustainable.

Throughout COP28, ADSW will bridge the blue and green zones by providing a platform for thought leadership and positive stories to share best practices, innovations and solutions. ADSW’s extensive program of events and roundtables will enable timely and relevant climate action conversation and debate between accredited parties, observer delegates, and the general public. These events will empower global climate action at a significant time for the world, facilitating better decision-making at COP28 to keep 1.5°C within reach.

In the COP28 green zone, the ADSW Partnership Hub will run a series of structured collaborative activities at the Alif Pavilion December 5–6, creating a space for participants to exchange ideas and build successful and meaningful business relationships and partnerships.  
ADSW’s virtual content platform, ADSW Live, will live-stream a series of interviews directly from the Green Zone December 3–7, capturing daily reactions to climate discussions and sharing timely, relevant sustainability-oriented content wrap-ups. 

The Women in Sustainability Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER) initiative will co-host the inaugural Arab Women Leaders’ Summit with the COP28 UAE Presidency, held under the theme Gender Inclusion and Climate Change: Advancing Equality for a Resilient Future, on December 4. 

The Y4S Annual Forum, taking place December 8 and hosted by Youth 4 Sustainability, will provide a platform for youth to engage in fruitful discussions and promote solutions for deepening youth participation in climate mitigation. 

The Special Edition of ADSW at COP28 will include Abu Dhabi Global Market’s Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum on December 4 and the Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum on December 5 and 7.

ADSW at COP28 confirmed sponsors include the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, Emirates Global Aluminium, Emirates Steel Arkan, Dubai Electricity & Water Authority, Investcorp, Abu Dhabi Chamber, Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, Mubadala, Huawei Tech, HSBC, GE Vernova, Baker Hughes, Agthia Group, Abu Dhabi Investment Office, BEEAH, SLB and Ne’ma. 

•  Held under the patronage of UAE President HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Special Edition of ADSW to take place during nation’s hosting of UN Climate Change Conference and mark the UAE’s Year of Sustainability
•  ADSW Summit, taking place on December 4, to support unlocking green finance, enabling the Just Energy Transition, and making business sustainable
•  ADSW partner-led events taking place at COP28 include the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum and the Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum

Abu Dhabi, UAE – November 8, 2023: Under the patronage of UAE President HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), the global initiative championed by the UAE and its clean energy powerhouse Masdar, will drive and elevate worldwide climate action during COP28 in the UAE.

Through the hosting of critical, thought leadership led conversations, the Special Edition of ADSW will empower global climate action at a significant time for the world, and enable better decision making at COP28 to address the challenge of cutting 22 gigatons of greenhouse gas emissions in the next seven years to keep 1.5°C in reach.

As an integral part of this year’s Special Edition of ADSW at COP28, the ADSW Summit, taking place on December 4, will spotlight three critical strategic themes: Unlocking Financing for the Green Economy, Enabling the Just Energy Transition, and Making Business Sustainable.

The ADSW Summit will explore what the global community must do to ensure that all nations, including those with limited resources, have access to technologies and innovations at scale. The Summit will also examine how organizations can positively impact society and integrate sustainable practices into every corner of their operations.

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer, Masdar, said: “This special edition of ADSW provides an important occasion to highlight the UAE’s Year of Sustainability at COP28 and reflects the legacy of climate action that Masdar’s global initiative, ADSW, continues to spearhead. We are proud to host this unique ADSW at COP28 and look forward to welcoming key stakeholders in sustainability and clean energy as we look to drive positive change to tackle the world's most urgent and pressing challenges together.”

In addition to its anchor event, the ADSW Summit, the Special Edition of ADSW at COP28 will include Abu Dhabi Global Market’s Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum on December 4, and the Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum on December 5 and 7.

Salem Mohammed Al Darei, Chief Executive Officer, ADGM Authority, said: “At ADGM, we see ourselves as an important driving force in bridging the capital gap required for achieving net-zero emissions as well the UAE’s journey towards a sustainable future by 2050, having created an ecosystem with a robust regulatory framework that champions sustainable finance and funding climate transition. Through the critical discussions at ADSFF this year, we are set to bring about concrete decisions that will contribute to the much-needed climate financing and position Abu Dhabi as not just any capital city, but a ‘Capital of Green Capital.”

Frederick Kempe, President and Chief Executive Officer, Atlantic Council, said: “All eyes are on Dubai as global energy and climate leaders gather for COP28 to assess the results of global action to curb emissions and meet net-zero goals. Hosting the eighth Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum at COP28 provides an unparalleled opportunity to convene world energy and climate leaders and inspire decisive action as they seek to tackle how to best respond to the geopolitics of the energy transition.”

In the COP28 green zone, the ADSW Partnership Hub will run a series of structured collaborative activities at the Alif Pavilion between December 5–6, that will encourage participants to exchange ideas and build successful business relationships.

Between December 3–7, ADSW’s virtual content platform; ADSW Live will be streaming a series of interviews live and direct from the Green Zone, capturing daily reaction to climate discussions, and sharing timely, relevant sustainability-oriented content wrap-ups.

The Women in Sustainability Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER) initiative will co-host the inaugural Arab Women Leaders’ Summit with the COP28 UAE Presidency held under 'Gender Inclusion and Climate Change: Advancing Equality for a Resilient Future', on December 4.

The Y4S Annual Forum, taking place on December 8 and hosted by Youth 4 Sustainability, will provide a platform for youth to engage in fruitful discussions and promote solutions towards deepening youth participation in climate mitigation.

ADSW at COP28 confirmed sponsors include the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, Emirates Global Aluminium, Emirates Steel Arkan, Dubai Electricity & Water Authority, Investcorp, Abu Dhabi Chamber, Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, Mubadala, Huawei Tech, HSBC, GE Vernova, Baker Hughes, Agthia Group, Abu Dhabi Investment Office, BEEAH and SLB.

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), a global initiative championed by the UAE and its clean energy powerhouse Masdar, today announced its inaugural Global Digital Art Competition, aimed at harnessing the power of visual creativity to raise awareness about climate change and sustainable solutions.

With an overarching theme of preserving the planet, the competition invites artists from across the globe to submit their digital artworks, aligning with COP28's vital climate action themes. Through their submissions, entrants are called upon to capture how precious and vulnerable the planet is, a sense of urgency in addressing climate change, and the solutions and people that are changing the world for the better.

The ADSW Global Digital Art Competition is open to all and encourages current and aspiring artists to showcase their talent and dedication to climate action and sustainability. Exciting prizes lie in store for the finalists, with the overall winner set to be announced during the special edition of ADSW at COP28. 

Dr. Lamya Fawwaz, Executive Director of Brand & Strategic Initiatives at Masdar, said: "Art has the power to inspire change and raise awareness on critical global climate change issues. We are thrilled to launch this competition as part of the special edition of ADSW at COP28, and we look forward to the impactful artworks it will inspire."

Dyala Nusseibeh, Director of Abu Dhabi Art, said: “As global pioneers in the renewable energy sector, Masdar understand the need for youth engagement and leadership, in driving sustainable change across diverse communities. The ADSW Digital Art Competition invites young creatives globally to harness the power of the web and of visual culture to share positions on the urgent need for climate action. I look forward to discovering the submissions that come in for this exciting art competition over the next month, as young artists join a call to action in the lead up to COP28.”

Daria Prodaevich, Managing Director of the Theatre of Digital Art, said: “Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing our world today. Through this art competition, I am eager to see artists from around the world utilize their creativity, possibly with AI to explore the impact of climate change on our lives, and of course to raise awareness of this important issue."

Submissions for the ADSW Global Digital Art Competition are now open, and artists are encouraged to visit https://abudhabisustainabilityweek.com/en/Digital-Art-Competition to submit their entries. Submissions should emphasize the importance of sustainable practices and the global commitment to addressing climate change. Together, through the fusion of art and climate advocacy, the competition will paint a brighter, more sustainable future for the planet.

The ADSW Summit, taking place on 4 December at the Connect Conference Center, Expo City, Dubai will be held under the theme of United on Climate Action at COP28, and will bring together forward-thinking leaders from the public sector, civil society, and business to identify ways to accelerate the just transition to a net-zero future. Hosted on COP28’s thematic finance day, the Summit will address issues such as investing for inclusion and climate finance, and identify pathways to accelerate sustainable development around the world.  
Throughout COP28, ADSW will provide a bridge for thought leadership by hosting events in both the blue and green zones, enabling timely and relevant climate action conversation and debate to accredited parties, observer delegates and the general public. 

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.

As the UAE’s clean energy champion, Masdar’s global footprint has expanded exponentially over the past 17 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.

Masdar is active in over 40 countries and has invested in a portfolio of renewable energy projects with a combined capacity of around 20 gigawatts (GW). Masdar aims to grow this to at least 100GW by 2030. The company is also targeting green hydrogen production of 1 million tonnes per annum by the same year.