The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority opened the 28th edition of the Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition on October 20, 2026 under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy. The three-day event at the Dubai World Trade Centre features a dedicated Water Platform in Sheikh Saeed Hall 3 where leading organisations and experts will showcase technologies aimed at improving water resource management. According to a WAM report, the exhibition aligns with efforts to address challenges from population growth, urban expansion and climate change while advancing sustainability goals.
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and chief executive officer of DEWA and founder and chairman of WETEX, said in the statement that water security is one of the fundamental pillars of sustainable development, enhancing quality of life and supporting economic growth. Al Tayer added that in light of the growing challenges related to population growth, urban expansion and climate change, there is an increasing need to accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies and innovative solutions that enhance the efficiency of water resource management and contribute to ensuring the reliability and sustainability of water supplies. The WAM report noted that the platform will facilitate discussions on trends shaping the sector and foster cooperation between public and private entities.
Exhibitors will present solutions spanning water treatment, desalination, smart metering, decarbonisation, artificial intelligence and green hydrogen as part of Dubai’s push toward net zero emissions by 2050, a DEWA assessment found. The exhibition also covers sustainable cities, digital transformation and environmental technologies with seminars running daily from 11:00 a.m. to 2:50 p.m. in the designated hall. DEWA data from prior editions places visitor numbers at more than 50,000 with over 3,100 exhibiting brands from 65 countries, underscoring the event’s scale as the region’s leading platform for such innovations.
Organisers have structured the 2026 edition around nine focus areas including energy generation, green development, green mobility and sustainable infrastructure to connect technologies with investment opportunities. A PwC review of GCC digital transformation efforts has highlighted utilities modernisation as a key workstream where exhibitions like WETEX accelerate adoption of smart systems. The event builds on the 2025 edition by emphasising partnerships that support the UN Sustainable Development Goals through practical projects and knowledge exchange.
Participation is expected to include 68 sponsors and 18 country pavilions based on established patterns for the exhibition, according to DEWA figures. The gathering provides a venue for companies to demonstrate low-carbon materials, energy-efficient designs and infrastructure resilience measures. Industry sessions will explore how these advancements can strengthen regional water security amid rising demand.
