Dubai to Host Inaugural Environment Conference & Exhibition in 2026

Dubai is set to host its inaugural Environment Conference & Exhibition (DECE) from 7-8 September 2026 at the Grand Hyatt Dubai, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy. Organised by the Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority (DECCA), the event will focus on the theme ‘Protecting Our Environment… Securing Our Future’.

DECE 2026 aims to bolster environmental dialogue and climate action at both national and regional levels, reinforcing Dubai's position as a global centre for sustainability and innovation. The conference aligns with key strategic initiatives, including the UAE’s National Climate Change Plan 2017 — 2050, the UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategy, the National Green Agenda 2030, the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, and the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan.

The event will bring together a diverse group of participants, including decision-makers, representatives from government and private sectors, environmental experts, and specialists. The programme will feature panel discussions, research presentations, and expert-led sessions designed to explore future sustainability in Dubai, address key environmental challenges, and showcase innovative solutions. A specialised environmental exhibition will complement the conference proceedings.

Key Thematic Areas

The conference will look at six critical themes reflecting Dubai’s environmental priorities:

• Biodiversity: Examining protection, conservation, habitat restoration, and community involvement.
• Natural Resources: Focusing on preserving air, soil, and water quality, and their impact on health and ecosystems.
• Food Security: Discussing Dubai’s strategy, sustainable supply chains, food loss, and public-private partnerships for local production.
• Climate Change: Exploring greenhouse gas emission reduction, adaptation, resilience, and the role of partnerships, financing, and AI.
• Circular Economy: Reviewing best practices in waste, water, and packaging management, economic opportunities, and electronic waste recycling.
• Environmental Artificial Intelligence: Investigating how advanced technologies can enhance water management, monitor ecosystems, analyse changes, and inform planning.

His Excellency Ahmed Mohammed bin Thani, Director General of DECCA, emphasised that DECE 2026 will serve as a platform for knowledge exchange, partnership building, and identifying practical responses to environmental challenges. DECCA, established under Law No. (11) of 2024, leads Dubai's environmental and climate change agenda, aiming to mitigate impacts and enhance sustainability across various sectors.