Overview
- Held under the patronage of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and hosted by Masdar, the 2026 edition runs Jan. 11–15 under the theme “Integrated Launch Toward the Future.”
- IRENA’s General Assembly opened in Abu Dhabi on Jan. 11 with 1,524 participants from 139 countries plus the EU, including 45 ministerial-level representatives.
- IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera said renewables are now the most competitive source for power generation, noting 92% of last year’s new capacity was renewable and projecting a near-record 700 GW of additions this year.
- Assembly discussions prioritize grid expansion, energy planning, digital innovation and AI, financing solutions such as sustainable aviation fuel, and links to food systems and green industrialization.
- ADSW deploys AI tools to surface ideas and track pledges in real time, showcases clean-tech advances including AI-enabled power networks and climate finance tools, and prepares the Global South Utilities launch on Jan. 14 to spur investment in large-scale energy and water projects.