Blue Forum At ADSW Advances International Collaboration On Water Security And The Blue Economy

Masdar and the Sino-International Entrepreneurs Federation (SIEF) have closed the Blue Forum with a series of international partnerships designed to advance cross-border cooperation on water security, climate action, and the blue economy, using Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week as a platform to link policymakers, financiers, and business leaders from several regions.

The collaboration between Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC – Masdar and SIEF aligned climate, trade, and investment priorities, as participants explored how technological innovation, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable growth strategies can support long-term water security while strengthening economic links between Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

The Blue Forum placed the blue economy at the centre of climate and development discussions, highlighting the role of oceans, seas, rivers, and aquifers as climate impacts increase stress on freshwater and marine systems, while also pointing to investment openings in areas such as blue carbon, sustainable shipping, coastal infrastructure, and wider ocean-related innovation.

Delegates examined how enhanced water management and desalination technologies, coupled with improved coastal planning, could support countries that depend heavily on marine resources, with the Forum acting as a bridge between sustainability strategies and commercial agendas for governments, multilateral institutions, development banks, and companies of different sizes.

As part of its role at the Blue Forum, SIEF organised the release of the ‘ClimateTech In Focus: Artificial Intelligence for Sustainability’ report, which captured insights from more than 120 Heads of State, ministers, and senior corporate leaders on how AI is already changing climate mitigation and adaptation efforts.

The report assessed the practical use of AI across areas such as emissions reduction, resource efficiency, and climate resilience, and considered how technical tools can move from pilot phase to large-scale deployment, outlining conditions that can help convert digital capability into measurable sustainability outcomes across multiple sectors and geographies.

Blue Forum leadership, Masdar and SIEF roles

The event drew senior participation, including Patrick Herminie, President of Seychelles, and keynote speeches from Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak Al Shamsi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, and Eduardo Pedrosa, Executive Director of APEC Secretariat, reflecting the Forum’s combination of political, economic, and regional perspectives.

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, said, "Masdar is proud to partner with SIEF in advancing global water security, sustainable development, and international cooperation through the highly successful Blue Forum. It will provide a significant catalyst for sustained water and blue economy discussions throughout 2026 in preparation for the UAE hosting the UN Water Conference, with Senegal, in December."

William Wang, Chief Representative for Middle East and Africa at SIEF said: "At SIEF, we believe the future of sustainability will be shaped by collaboration across borders, sectors, and generations. By convening global leaders at the Blue Forum, we are helping chart a bold pathway together with Masdar and the broader UAE government, where innovation, resilience, and the blue economy work together to secure prosperity for people and planet alike."

Blue Forum activities during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week

Beyond the core Blue Forum sessions, SIEF maintained a broad presence throughout Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, staging several events that linked culture, finance, technology, and climate awareness, and showcased how sustainability themes can be integrated into different sectors and public-facing experiences.

SIEF organised a Sustainable Fashion Show led by curator Alice Ho and featuring designers from the UAE, UK, Hungary, China, and Lebanon, alongside a Climate and Sustainability Photography Exhibition, a reception marking the 10-year anniversary of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and the SIEF Innovation Pavilion, where visitors viewed robotics and other advanced technology demonstrations.

Taken together, the Blue Forum and related activities reinforced Abu Dhabi’s role as a meeting point for discussions on water security, the blue economy, AI for sustainability, and cross-border collaboration, while also supporting preparations for the UN Water Conference that the UAE will co-host with Senegal in December 2026.

With inputs from WAM