GPF Global: Europe’s leading sustainability conference expanded to Abu Dhabi

GPF Global celebrated its Middle East debut on 5 November 2025 with over 600 participants in the representative halls of the Abu Dhabi Energy Center. As Europe’s leading platform for sustainability, innovation, and economic transformation, GPF Global continues to build bridges between regions and accelerate global collaboration for a greener future. 

Founded in Vienna in 2022 by Aleksandar and Daniel Gros, and co-founded for the Abu Dhabi edition by Mohammed Sulaiman Alfahim (UAE) as well as Jakob Zenz, Paul Nimmerfall (Austria), this first GPF Global in Abu Dhabi marked a major milestone in the event’s international expansion and underscored the growing role of the UAE as a global hub for innovation, sustainability and future-oriented leadership.

Mohammed Sulaiman Alfahim, Co-Founder and Member of the Council of GPF Abu Dhabi, expressed: “The reason we were able to bring together all our distinguished guests is because, deep down, we all recognize that here in the Emirates — and here in Abu Dhabi — is where real change happens, and it happens fast. We don’t just talk; we act. We act under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, who has set forth a bright and visionary goal to achieve a net zero future by 2050 and to reduce carbon emissions by 40% by 2030. The UAE was the first country in the Middle East to announce a net zero goal. That is precisely why my partners and I chose to bring the Green Peak Festival to Abu Dhabi — there is truly no place more fitting for it.”

Elisabeth Köstinger, President of the GPF Global Council Europe, emphasized the importance of this expansion: “Abu Dhabi was the ideal gateway for GPF Global to connect with the dynamism of the Middle East and Africa. Sustainability is a global challenge – and so must be our solutions. We were excited to build lasting bridges across continents, leveraging the UAE’s strong commitment to innovation and climate leadership.”

The GPF Global Abu Dhabi edition was made possible through close collaboration and a distinguished network of international partners, reflecting a shared commitment to cross-sector cooperation and sustainable growth — including DEWA, Magirus, Zhifu Technology, UAE Biotech Research Center, GTC Group, LGP Lawyers, Hengl, Econetix, Agro Innovation Lab, TRENDS Research & Advisory, Austrian Embassy Abu Dhabi, TOJOY, Mohammed Alfahim Holding and Forbes.

Together, these organisations formed a powerful alliance between Europe, the Middle East and Asia – united by a shared vision of innovation, economic transformation and environmental responsibility.

GPF Global featured high-level government representatives, CEOs, and thought leaders from Europe, Africa, and the Gulf region. Among the speakers were Dr. Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, Austria’s Federal Minister for Economy, Energy, and Tourism; Johannes Hahn, EU Special Envoy for Cyprus/Turkey and former EU Commissioner; Beatrice Atim Anywar, Ugandan State Minister for Environment; Ge Jun, Chairman of TOJOY and former Global Vice President of Apple and NVIDIA; José María Figueres, former President of Costa Rica; Franz Tost, former Formula 1 legend; Domagoj Ivan Milošević, former Deputy Prime Minister of Croatia; and Elisabeth Köstinger, former Austrian Federal Minister for Agriculture and Tourism, among others.

Key sessions explored themes such as: