Dialogue at WGES 2026 focuses on finance, skills, market access and partnerships to translate youth-led ideas into practical impact.

Dubai, UAE, October 2026: The World Green Economy Organization (WGEO) convened its Youth Roundtable during the World Green Economy Summit 2026, focusing on how young innovators and entrepreneurs can turn promising ideas into scalable solutions across water, clean energy, food security and the circular economy.

Held on 22 October at the Dubai World Trade Centre under the theme “From Ideas to Impact: Scaling Youth-Led Solutions for the Green Economy,” the roundtable centred on connecting youth innovation with the policies, expertise, finance and market opportunities needed for implementation.

Opening the session, HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of WGEO, highlighted the contribution young people can make to accelerating renewable energy, improving resource efficiency and developing new technologies and business models for the green transition.

“The green economy will create new industries, new professions and new opportunities. Your generation has the opportunity not only to participate in this transition, but to help shape its direction and accelerate its impact,” HE Al Tayer said.

The discussion addressed three priorities: innovation and green entrepreneurship; finance, skills and market access; and policy and partnerships for scale. It explored barriers that can prevent youth-led initiatives from progressing beyond pilot projects, including limited access to financing, technical support, procurement opportunities and markets.

The roundtable provided a setting for young participants to engage with senior officials and experts on practical routes to piloting, institutional adoption and commercial development. Particular attention was given to how collaboration between governments, businesses, utilities, investors and international organisations can support the replication of successful solutions across countries and communities.

The session forms part of WGEO’s wider efforts to strengthen youth participation in the green economy through its Youth and Academia Platform, the Global Green Economy Young Leaders Program and academic partnerships. These initiatives support young people in developing their capabilities, exchanging knowledge and connecting with the institutions and partners that can help bring their ideas into practice.