Khalifa University Climate Action Leadership Showcased At The World Economic Forum Davos 2026

Khalifa University of Science and Technology reported its climate action progress at WEF 2026 Davos, where President Professor Ebrahim Al Hajri presented the university’s sustainability strategy, underscoring the UAE institution’s growing role in research-driven responses to international environmental and economic challenges.

Speaking during sessions held alongside the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026, Prof. Ebrahim outlined an integrated climate action framework that combines research, academic programmes, and partnerships, while the WEF invitation itself highlighted Khalifa University’s emerging profile as a research-intensive institution addressing climate challenges through global engagement.

At WEF 2026 Davos, Prof. Ebrahim met Luming Li, President of Tsinghua University, Luis Vassy, President of Sciences Po Paris, Deborah Prentice, Vice-Chancellor (President) of the University of Cambridge, and Evelyn Wang, Vice President of MIT, representing Global Alliance of Universities on Climate members, alongside Eisaku Ito, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, other industry leaders, and delegation members Dr. Ashraf Al Najdawi and Professor Samuel Mao.

Dr. Ashraf Al Najdawi serves as Vice-President, External Relations, and Chief of Staff, while Professor Samuel Mao is Co-Chair of the UAE Universities Climate Network and Director of the ASPIRE Research Institute of Sustainability, supporting a climate research portfolio exceeding 350 patents, 800 disclosed inventions, and active projects and startups with partners in more than 20 countries.

Climate-focused activity spans 14 research centres, including the Research & Innovation Center for Graphene and 2D Materials (RIC2D), the Advanced Research and Innovation Center (ARIC), the 6G Research Center, the Polar Research Center, and the Environmental and Geophysical Sciences (ENGEOS) Lab, addressing water security, energy systems, and climate-resilient infrastructure.

Through these centres and international partnerships, Khalifa University aligns its climate work with national sustainability priorities and global agendas, connecting research outputs, startups, and talent development with wider efforts to support adaptation, decarbonisation, and resilient economic growth in the UAE and abroad.

Prof. Ebrahim said, "International collaboration is essential to deliver climate solutions at scale. In the spirit of the UAE’s global engagement, we are deepening partnerships with leading universities and organizations to co-develop technologies, share data, and build talent pipelines that amplify impact across regions. Khalifa University’s climate action is aligned with the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative and the legacy of COP28. Our mission is to convert breakthrough research into real-world solutions that strengthen resilience, accelerate decarbonization, and contribute to the UAE’s vision for a sustainable, knowledge-based economy."

Khalifa University’s participation in WEF 2026 Davos links high-level climate dialogue with applied research, helping translate patents, specialised centres, and global alliances into practical technologies and skills that address shared environmental pressures and reinforce the UAE’s long-term sustainability ambitions.

With inputs from WAM