World Future Energy Summit 2025 Shines Light on Middle East’s Sustainable Cities Leadership
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is at the forefront of sustainable urban development, driven by ambitious initiatives, particularly in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. With urban populations expected to reach 60% by 2030, nations in the region are making transformative investments in smart, eco-friendly cities.
The UAE leads this movement with projects like Masdar City, a hub for clean technologies and sustainability, and Zayed International Airport, which incorporates advanced infrastructure. Highlighting this commitment, Mohamed Al Breiki, Executive Director of Sustainable Development at Masdar City, remarked, “Masdar City has been pioneering sustainable urban development for over 15 years, embodying the UAE’s commitment to a net-zero future.” He noted that projects like Masdar City Square and The Link exemplify innovation and sustainability, while the Masdar City Free Zone fosters collaboration in fields like AI, renewable energy, and smart mobility.
Saudi Arabia is equally active with its giga projects, including NEOM, a 26,500-square-kilometer eco-smart city aiming for carbon neutrality and clean energy reliance. As part of Vision 2030, 17 cities, representing 72% of the population, are undergoing smart urban transformations in places like Riyadh, Jeddah, and Medina.
Key developments will be showcased at the World Future Energy Summit 2025 in Abu Dhabi from January 14–16 during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW). The Sustainable Cities conference, a cornerstone of the event, will highlight advancements in smart cities and explore themes such as energy optimization, waste management, and climate-resilient designs. According to research by Frost & Sullivan, the UAE and Saudi Arabia alone are projected to invest $50 billion in smart city initiatives by 2025.
Abu Dhabi stands out with its Estidama Pearl Rating system and a focus on sustainability under the Economic Vision 2030. Recognized as one of the Top 10 Smart Cities in the 2024 Smart City Index, it showcases projects like Noor Abu Dhabi and the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant. Meanwhile, Dubai advances its smart city goals through initiatives like Dubai Walk, designed to increase pedestrian mobility by 2040.
Other MENA nations are also embracing sustainable urbanism. Qatar’s Lusail City integrates green landscapes, waste collection, and district cooling, supported by smart services. Oman is building Sultan Haitham City, a 14.8-square-kilometer urban hub aligned with Oman Vision 2040, featuring solar facilities and waste-to-energy plants.
Leen AlSebai, General Manager of RX Middle East and Head of the World Future Energy Summit, emphasized, “The Sustainable Cities Conference will focus on progress while driving innovation and partnerships necessary for future-ready urban environments.” The event will bring together global experts, including government leaders, architects, and sustainability pioneers, to discuss smart technologies, public-private partnerships, and urban resilience.
Specialized panels will address topics such as AI in cognitive buildings and quality of life enhancements. Prominent speakers include Dr. Ioannis Spanos, Vice President of Sustainability at Expo City Dubai, and Camilo Cerro, Professor of Architecture at the American University of Sharjah.
The conference is part of seven vertical streams at the summit, encompassing Solar & Clean Energy, Green Finance, eMobility, and other critical aspects of the energy ecosystem, reinforcing MENA’s role as a global leader in sustainable urban development.
