The Rihla Summit is the flagship convening of the Rihla Initiative and serves as the principal meeting point for its Policy Council, Implementation Council, Gulf Committee, regional groups, focus groups, institutional partners, and external stakeholders. The Summit brings together decision-makers and practitioners working across climate finance, industrial development, sustainability, infrastructure, entrepreneurship, and economic policy. It is designed not only as a forum for dialogue, but also as a platform for developing partnerships, advancing practical initiatives, and strengthening cooperation between the Gulf and the Global South.

The Summit establishes a long-term platform for structured cooperation between the Gulf Cooperation Council and priority regions across the Global South: the Middle East and North Africa, Central Asia and the Caucasus, South and Southeast Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa. It integrates strategic analysis, climate finance, and implementation pathways to advance green industrialization, economic resilience, and productive growth.

The 2026 Summit will also serve as the launch platform for Rihla’s new Phase III architecture, including the Gulf Climate Finance Tracker, Stakeholder Mapping Platform, and Green Industrialization Platform. These initiatives are intended to provide practical tools that support implementation, stakeholder engagement, and long-term collaboration beyond the Summit itself.

Hosted at the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy and supported by a growing network of institutional partners, the Summit positions Abu Dhabi as a hub for climate finance, sustainability, innovation, philanthropy, and green economic growth.