2nd EU-GCC Finance & Investment for Green Transition Forum

Following the success of the inaugural forum in 2024, the 2nd EU-GCC Finance & Investment for Green Transition Forum will serve as the flagship event of Abu Dhabi Finance Week’s Sustainability Day, bringing together senior policymakers, financiers, and investors from the EU, GCC, and MENA to advance sustainable finance and investment cooperation for clean energy projects.

Why is this critical now?

• USD 4.5 trillion annually is needed in renewable energy and infrastructure investments by 2030 to meet global net-zero targets (IRENA, 2024).
• In 2023 alone, USD 570 billion was invested globally in renewables, but this needs to quadruple to stay on track for climate goals.
• The Gulf region has already committed over USD 90 billion to clean energy projects, including major hydrogen, solar, and wind developments.
• The EU is the largest global provider of public climate finance, contributing EUR 28.6 billion in 2023 to support developing countries in reducing emissions and adapting to climate change, while mobilising an additional EUR 7.2 billion in private finance.
• The EU Emissions Trading System has generated over EUR 210 billion since 2013, providing valuable lessons for carbon pricing mechanisms that can guide GCC frameworks.
• With 16.2% of GCC imports coming from the EU, the EU remains a key economic collaborator and investor for the region’s green transition.

The forum will spotlight scaling renewable energy, hydrogen, and energy efficiency investments while advancing discussions on carbon markets and innovative financial instruments, such as green bonds and sustainability-linked finance. It aligns with Team Europe’s integrated approach and the EU’s Clean Industrial Deal, linking it with GCC climate and energy transition strategies to mobilise capital and unlock new project pipelines across the region.

By addressing these priorities, the forum aims to position the EU-GCC-MENA nexus as a leader in sustainable finance, fostering long-term economic cooperation and accelerating the region’s path toward a clean, resilient, and prosperous future.