Dubai’s ‘Sustainable Aviation Futures’ Congress Charts Roadmap for Carbon Emission Reduction

The Sustainable Aviation Futures MENA Congress 2026 concludes today in Dubai, bringing together 300 senior decision-makers, government officials, and leaders from the aviation and energy sectors to identify and implement low-carbon aviation and clean energy solutions.

The three-day conference, held from 10 to 12 February, was organised by Sustainable Aviation Futures Ltd, an international platform specialising in global events addressing Sustainable Aviation Fuel and the environmental transition in the aviation sector), in partnership with the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

Policies and Partnerships for Net-Zero: The Shift to Green Aviation

The congress is the only event in the MENA region dedicated exclusively to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), Low Carbon Aviation Fuel (LCAF), hydrogen, and eFuels. It provides a key forum to review the policies, investments, and operational partnerships needed to implement sustainability technologies.

Participants are exploring strategies to accelerate the shift towards low-emission aviation and scale up the use of SAF. Progress in this field will not stem from a single “silver bullet,” but rather from practical steps, long-term partnerships, and a clear focus on immediate action across sectors, especially through clear policies and effective legislation to support SAF adoption.

The agenda includes specialist sessions, panel discussions, and masterclasses covering cross-sector partnerships to expand hydrogen use and carbon capture technologies. It also features sessions on SAF project financing, investment decisions, closed-door airline discussions, and international presentations highlighting sustainability policies.

Meet the Visionaries Steering the Congress

The conference’s Advisory Board consists of nine experts from government, academic, and industrial institutions, tasked with defining the content—including topics and speakers—and steering the event’s programmes towards achieving aviation sustainability.

These experts include:

  • The UAE Deputy Permanent Representative to the ICAO Council, Mohamed Salem;
  • The Lead Negotiator for Aviation Climate Change and Senior Manager of the Environmental Affairs Office at the GCAA, Eng. Maryam Al Balooshi;
  • Maryam Telmesani, Group Vice President of Sustainability at Saudia Group;
  • Martin McAspurn-Lohmann, Head of Energy & Natural Resources (Investment Banking) at ADCB;
  • Sven Deckers, Director of Sustainability, Innovation & Partnerships at Dubai Airports;
  • Rena Rzayeva, Senior Procurement Manager at Emirates Group, specialising in supply chains and fuel, including SAF;
  • Majed Al Mujaini, Manager of Aviation Environment Affairs at flydubai;
  • Dr. Emad Alharbi, Board Member and Treasurer of the Saudi Society for Aerospace Sciences (SSASA);
  • and Independent Advisor Alejandro Ríos Galván.
from-claims-confidence-delivered
From Claims to Confidence delivered by speaker Daniele Forlani / Credit: Sustainable Aviation Futures LinkedIn Page

Positioning MENA for Global Emission Targets

The conference highlights the MENA region’s expanding role as a hub for sustainable aviation, with initiatives to boost clean fuel production and infrastructure, positioning the region as a key contributor to global emission reduction targets.

The aviation sector is a major contributor to carbon emissions in the UAE, given its status as a global aviation hub; estimates indicate percentages above the global average (less than 2%). Consequently, the UAE, through its national carriers, is striving to reduce these emissions by utilising SAF and modernising its fleet.

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