Dubai has launched the first edition of the Dubai Environment Conference and Exhibition (DECE), a new annual platform for environmental and climate dialogue organised by the Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority (DECCA).
The event opened on September 7 at the Grand Hyatt Dubai and runs through September 8, under the theme “Protecting Our Environment… Securing Our Future.”
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, inaugurated the event in the presence of UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment Dr. Amna Al Dahak, alongside senior officials and representatives from international environmental organisations, government bodies, and the private sector.
In his remarks, Sheikh Ahmed described the conference as a meaningful addition to Dubai’s efforts to establish itself as a centre for environmental innovation and leadership, saying the participation of experts and decision makers reflected the emirate’s commitment to tackling climate change and building a more sustainable future.
DECCA Director General Ahmed Mohammed bin Thani said the event is designed to serve as “a unifying platform for environmental dialogue and climate action at both the national and regional levels.”
He added that the conference drew high-level participation, which he said affirmed Dubai’s growing credibility as a forum for global environmental discussion, building on the UAE’s track record that includes hosting COP28 at Expo City Dubai in 2023.
The two-day programme is structured around six themes aligned with Dubai’s stated environmental priorities: biodiversity, natural resources, food security, climate change, the circular economy, and the application of artificial intelligence in environmental monitoring.
Sessions on biodiversity and natural resources will examine the protection of local habitats and the management of air and water quality. The food security track covers supply chain sustainability, food loss and waste reduction, and the role of local production.
The climate change segment addresses greenhouse gas reduction, community resilience, and the use of AI and innovative financing to support climate goals. The circular economy sessions focus on resource recovery and e-waste recycling, while the environmental AI theme explores how technology can improve ecosystem monitoring and compliance tracking.
Alongside the conference, a dedicated exhibition showcases initiatives from government agencies and private companies across those six areas.
The event is explicitly positioned in relation to several national frameworks, including the UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategy, the National Green Agenda 2030, the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, and the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan.
