The 28th edition of the Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition will dedicate significant space to artificial intelligence tools that enhance occupational safety and workforce well-being when it convenes next month, the Emirates News Agency reported on October 10, 2026. Organised by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority under the directives of Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the event will also operate under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy. A dedicated Health and Safety Hub will allow participants to examine standards for emergency preparedness, workplace well-being, stress management and resilience building, according to the official WETEX programme.
Exhibitors and delegates at the Health and Safety Hub will review leading occupational health practices alongside emerging technologies that support safer working environments across energy and utilities sectors, the programme document published by the organiser stated. The hub forms part of a wider emphasis on AI-augmented leadership that aims to integrate data analytics and real-time monitoring into routine safety protocols. DEWA has positioned the three-day gathering as a platform where technology, sustainability and operational excellence converge to address regional priorities.
Parallel sessions will include the World Green Economy Summit on October 21 and 22, which will run alongside leadership roundtables examining AI infrastructure investment and asset performance across utility networks, according to the published agenda. One roundtable scheduled for the opening day will focus on powering AI through expanded capacity while another will address floating energy solutions later in the programme. These discussions build on the exhibition’s established role in advancing digital transformation across water, energy and environmental management.
The previous edition of WETEX drew more than 50,000 visitors and over 3,100 exhibiting brands from 65 countries, DEWA figures show. That gathering expanded coverage of smart grids, drones, artificial intelligence and green mobility while introducing the Health and Safety Hub to promote innovation in workforce protection. Utilities Middle East reported that the 2025 event reflected growing convergence between digital technologies and sustainability objectives across the region.
WETEX has evolved since its launch nearly three decades ago into one of the largest specialised exhibitions of its kind globally and the largest in the Middle East, according to the organiser. The 2026 programme will continue to incorporate renewable energy, decarbonisation, hydrogen, sustainable cities and green mobility alongside its core focus on AI-driven safety enhancements. Registration for exhibitors and visitors is now open through the official event website, the authority confirmed in a statement issued in May 2026.
Industry representatives will have opportunities to engage in targeted B2B and B2G meetings designed to foster partnerships that accelerate technology adoption, the WETEX leadership roundtable overview indicated. The personalised engagement programme targets enterprises, government entities and innovators seeking practical applications for AI in operational safety. Such interactions have become a hallmark of the exhibition as it supports Dubai’s broader transition toward a green economy.
Organisers expect the 2026 edition to attract even wider international participation as governments and companies intensify efforts to meet net-zero targets through technology integration, according to DEWA’s outlook for the event. The combination of exhibition halls, expert seminars and high-level summits will provide a comprehensive view of how artificial intelligence can strengthen both workplace safety and environmental performance across multiple sectors.
