Youth 4 Sustainability Forum To Take Place During Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026

The Youth 4 Sustainability (Y4S) Annual Forum will run during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026, gathering young people, officials and experts to explore future skills, artificial intelligence, well-being and ethical leadership. The three-day event takes place from 13-15 January 2026 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, and is designed to equip youth for roles in sustainability-focused careers and ventures.

The forum is organised under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. Abu Dhabi Department of Energy acts as principal partner, working with Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) and other stakeholders to bring together ministers, senior officials, industry leaders and specialists in sustainability.

Organisers have structured the Y4S Annual Forum around four linked pillars: future skills, education and youth employment; artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainability innovation; well-being and community resilience; and ethical leadership and governance. These themes aim to build AI fluency, sustainability literacy and an entrepreneurial mindset, supporting youth-led projects and purpose-driven careers in sectors aligned with long-term environmental and economic goals.

The programme will feature keynote addresses, TEDx-style talks, one-to-one conversations with recognised thinkers, panel discussions, artistic performances and interactive debates. Curated showcases of youth-led innovations will sit alongside sessions that connect employers with emerging sustainability talent, giving attendees access to both knowledge and direct networking opportunities across government, business and civil society.

Keynote speakers include Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment and Member of the UAE Cabinet; Dr. Sultan Al Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs; Dr. Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Energy; and Sheikh Dr Majid Al Qassimi, Founding Partner and CEO of SOMA MATER. They will discuss climate policy, youth issues, energy and sustainable development.

Basic details of the Youth 4 Sustainability Annual Forum during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026 are summarised below in tabular form.

Dr. Abdulla Humaid Saif Al Jarwan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, said, "Empowering youth is fundamental to sustaining progress and a key driver in enhancing and accelerating innovation across the energy and water sectors. Young people play a vital role in advancing the efficiency and resilience of systems through the adoption of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, supported by an integrated ecosystem that brings together digital capabilities, systematic thinking, and practical expertise. This accelerates the transformation of ideas into solutions with tangible impact and strengthens the development of a sustainable future that supports the strategic objectives of the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

"As principal partner of the Y4S Annual Forum at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, the Department of Energy is committed to advancing a platform that brings young leaders together with innovators, decision-makers and industry partners, fostering creative thinking and providing practical opportunities that contribute to policy development, technological advancement and empowers the leadership of initiatives with lasting, sustainable impact. By investing in youth talent and ideas today, we are strengthening the foundations of a sustainable and prosperous future for Abu Dhabi."

Youth 4 Sustainability initiative and Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar), said, "The Y4S Annual Forum turns intention into impact by connecting young leaders with experts, ideas, and practical insights. By building the skills, mindset, and networks to translate ideas into action, the Forum empowers young people to grow and lead with confidence to help shape a resilient, sustainable future."

Masdar launched Youth 4 Sustainability in 2016 as a global initiative dedicated to preparing the next generation of sustainability leaders. The platform focuses on giving young people the knowledge, skills and capabilities needed to advance worldwide adoption of sustainability principles, while also highlighting the competencies required for careers in sectors linked to climate, clean energy, water and resource management.

Youth 4 Sustainability offers workshops, awareness activities and specialised training programmes for students and early-career professionals. Its flagship Future Sustainability Leaders and Sustainability Ambassadors programmes have together graduated more than 980 young men and women. Since its inception, the initiative has held over 145 workshops and training sessions, featuring 390 experts and industry leaders from different countries, as shown below.

The Y4S Annual Forum at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026 is positioned as a key moment in this wider effort, bringing past and current participants together with decision-makers from government and business. By combining skills development, policy dialogue and exposure to practical innovations over three days, organisers aim to support youth leadership in sustainability while aligning with Abu Dhabi’s strategic objectives for a resilient and prosperous future.

With inputs from WAM