# Leaders for a Sustainable Middle East and North Africa Mobilizing climate-resilient economies and societies. # Read our latest report Prioritizing Sustainability in MENA: Mapping Critical Environmental Issues for Regional BusinessesDespite 70% of the Middle East and North Africa region’s emissions falling under net-zero pledges, many businesses still lack clear guidelines to effectively navigate these ambitious climate goals. This report offers a roadmap for businesses across the region to elevate their sustainability performance to meet internationally recognized standards while working within the local and sector-specific realities. [Read our latest report](https://www.weforum.org/publications/prioritizing-sustainability-in-mena-mapping-critical-environmental-issues-for-regional-businesses/) ## The issue The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is navigating a period of rapid geopolitical, economic and climate transformation. As the region pursues growth, diversification and digital expansion, pressures on energy, water and infrastructure systems are intensifying. From scaling energy systems to supporting AI-driven industries, the choices made now will shape long-term sustainability, resilience and competitiveness. Realizing this potential will require coordinated action, forward-looking policy and stronger collaboration across sectors. **2x** Faster temperature rise than global averageGreater increase in MENA over past three decades (1.5°C vs. 0.7° globally) **4-21%** Potential GDP impact on MENAHighest expected GDP decline for any region across the globe forecasted in the MENA **12%** Companies in MENA with net-zero targetsLower than in comparable regions, such as China or South Asia ## The goal Through Leaders for a Sustainable MENA, government and business leaders work hand-in-hand to scale innovative solutions to drive growth and build more resilient, future-ready systems across the region. ### Unlocking sustainable growth through technology and AI Accelerating the deployment of high-impact AI use cases across sectors to improve resource efficiency, unlock sustainable finance and drive productivity gains. ### Building resilient digital and energy infrastructure Ensuring that the ongoing economic transformation, driven by frontier technologies, is supported by reliable, efficient and sustainable energy, water and cooling systems. ### Enabling sustainability at scale Supporting governments and companies at all stages of their sustainability journey to set clear targets, embed responsible practices and deliver measurable environmental and economic outcomes. ## Featured insights ### How the Middle East and North Africa can optimize the region's data centres and AI infrastructure The rapid rise of AI is driving unprecedented demand for data infrastructure across MENA, with significant investment in data centres and digital systems reshaping the region’s economic trajectory. This piece examines the mounting infrastructure pressures and outlines a pathway to optimize energy use, enhance efficiency and align policy frameworks—unlocking sustainable growth while safeguarding critical resources. [Explore](https://www.weforum.org/stories/2026/05/how-the-mena-region-can-optimize-its-data-centres-and-ai-infrastructure/) ### Saudi Arabia's new AI-powered sustainability platform could unlock $20 billion by 2030 Saudi Arabia is harnessing AI to transform how sustainability initiatives are coordinated and delivered. This article highlights the role of the SUSTAIN platform in enabling more effective collaboration, improving project visibility and accelerating impact, offering a new model for scaling sustainable development through technology. [Explore](https://www.weforum.org/stories/2026/04/saudi-arabia-sustainability-platform-ai/) ### Could AI help the Middle East and North Africa unlock $200 billion in sustainable finance by 2030? Artificial intelligence (AI) is scaling rapidly, with its market value projected to reach $4.8 trillion by 2033, transforming how businesses operate. For the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the optimal pathway for maximizing its impact lies in deploying AI as a multiplier for sustainability, accelerating progress across financing, energy, resource management and decarbonization. [Explore](https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/10/could-ai-help-the-middle-east-and-north-africa-unlock-200-billion-in-sustainable-finance-by-2030/) ### AI for sustainable development: how Bahrain is driving public-sector transformation through tech Artificial intelligence (AI) is a transformational force with significant economic and societal value, with generative AI projected to lift global GDP by 7% over the next decade. For the public sector, the optimal pathway to harness this potential lies in applying AI to advance sustainable development, strengthening policy design, institutional capacity, investment access and real-time impact tracking. Initiatives such as Bahrain’s SME SMART illustrate how AI-powered tools can accelerate sustainability outcomes and unlock new value. [Explore](https://www.weforum.org/publications/closing-the-climate-action-gap-accelerating-decarbonization-and-the-energy-transition-in-mena/) ### Enabling Measures Roadmap for Low-Carbon Hydrogen in MENA This roadmap serves as a valuable toolbox to gain an overview of top policy developments, funding, and initiatives across the MENA region, and assesses the progress made toward the hydrogen economy at scale and provides a set of applicable recommendations. [Explore](https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Enabling_Measures_Roadmap_for_Low_carbon_Hydrogen_in_the_Middle_East_and_North_Africa_2023.pdf) ### Closing the Climate Action Gap: Accelerating Decarbonization and the Energy Transition in MENA Climate change is the most significant challenge of this generation. This report highlights the key sustainability challenges in the region and provides a blueprint for bold decarbonization actions that could fuel new economic opportunities. [Explore](https://www.weforum.org/publications/closing-the-climate-action-gap-accelerating-decarbonization-and-the-energy-transition-in-mena/) ### Navigating Article 6: Opportunities for the Middle East and North Africa Article 6 of the Paris Agreement provides a framework for an international carbon market that can help the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to channel capital into carbon reduction projects cost-effectively. How public and private entities in MENA can better operationalize mechanisms in Article 6? [Explore](https://www.weforum.org/publications/navigating-article-6-opportunities-for-the-middle-east-and-north-africa/) ### Why technology is the key to decarbonising the Middle East and North Africa Driven by economics and limited availability of nature-based pathways, the optimal pathway for decarbonisation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) focuses on technology-based solutions. Its natural resource profile is ideal to lead the way as a renewable energy leader. [Explore](https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/05/why-technology-is-key-to-decarbonising-the-middle-east-and-north-africa/) ## Insights *Articles, analysis and thought leadership* ### Get involved today Learn about how to collaborate with our initiative. Contact us for more information. [Get involved](https://initiatives.weforum.org/leaders-for-sustainable-mena/get-involved)