PROGRAMME FOR PEOPLE AND PLANET
Bringing together leaders, innovators and changemakers to chart a course forward for our world
The Programme for People and Planet is our signature platform for convening the world
Bringing together diverse perspectives to address shared priorities, the Programme is underpinned by a spirit of practical optimism: a conviction that while the challenges are real, they are solvable, too – as long as we work together.
To date we have designed and delivered more than 300 events, including at COP28 and Expo 2020, driving awareness, agency and action around critical issues including climate and sustainability, urban resilience, championing women and the application of innovation for planetary solutions.
The content of the Programme is organised into five tracks
Four of these offer a clear lens through which to contextualise the world’s priorities – cultural, social, environmental, and economic – with a fifth track focused on impact, cooperation and exponential tangible outcomes for shared global good.
Underpinning our tracks are cross-cutting themes and values woven throughout our urgent mission to catalyse collective and meaningful action in service of human dignity for all.
Go deeper: Explore our signature event formats
Event highlights
COP28 at Expo City Dubai
As the world gathered at Expo City Dubai to deliver the historic UAE Consensus, our climate-themed Programme for People and Planet drew participation by people from myriad nations, diverse sectors and all walks of life. Welcoming more than 4,500 participants across its extensive network of thought leaders, changemakers and innovators, and through deep and direct relationships with national, multilateral and world-leading private-sector institutions, the Programme lent rich and practical insight across a range of critical global issues.
It’s an amazing opportunity just to get people to talk about both the challenges but also the solutions and what they think the future holds. I’ve learned a lot from that, and it has impacted my work immensely
Eugenia Kargbo, Chief Heat Officer for Freetown, Sierra Leone, during COP28
Sustainable Cities in Action Forum 2024
How do we build cities that are more prosperous, equitable, low carbon and climate resilient? The inaugural Sustainable Cities in Action Forum convened urban leaders and changemakers at Expo City Dubai to explore actionable solutions, foregrounding voices, challenges and innovations from the MEASA region.
Expo City allowed for an exchange of ideas and solutions on everything from architecture and placemaking to technology and new materials. People were happy to discuss the complexities, compromises and contradictions that they have to face every day with an openness and humility that will stay with me
Andrew Tuck, Editor in Chief, Monocle
Where it all started. Adopted by the UAE Cabinet in 2021, the Programme for People and Planet launched at the largest mega-event in the history of the MEASA region. Running for six months, the Programme convened more than 200 events around the most urgent priorities of our time including climate, health, education and the UN SDGs.
Read reportage and analysis of the full Programme in our Theme Week Insights series
Listen to thought-provoking conversations with some of the Programme's most inspiring speakers in the People and Planet podcast series
We will take away from Expo 2020 visions, ideas, aspirations and continue to build a future where the 17 SDGs become a reality in the lives of all, leaving no one behind
Amina J Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General UN, addresses the world at Global Goals Week
Connecting Minds Book Club launch with Ben Okri
Expo City Dubai, in collaboration with the Emirates Literature Foundation, debuted the Connecting Minds Book Club with Booker Prize -winning author Ben Okri, who unveiled his new book, Tiger Work, a personal and powerful call to climate action. The Book Club brings together book lovers from all walks of life and an exciting line-up of renowned authors, poets, playwrights and storytellers, to explore issues around sustainability and our changing climate.
Organised in partnership with the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) UAE Network, this series of events convenes the private sector to drive climate and sustainability action.
In Conversation With
Our fireside chat series at the Women’s Pavilion, brings together political, business and cultural leaders to demonstrate the power of purpose-led dialogue on global issues. For our series debut, we were honoured to welcome H.E. Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany, the UAE’s Permanent Representative to IRENA. During the session, Dr. Al-Hosany shared insights and inspiration on the role of women in leadership, diplomacy and climate change.
The Women’s Pavilion at Expo City Dubai was designed and built to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of women around the world. Advancing that legacy and accelerating opportunities for women’s participation in global climate dialogue in the build-up to COP28, our International Women’s Day 2023 celebration welcomed UAE ministers, global and business leaders, artists, musicians and more.
World Majlis: Building cities that enable communities
We brought together subject-matter experts to explore the future of sustainable cities, inclusive community-building and urban development in harmony with the natural world. Held in the award-winning Terra Pavilion, the event convened urban planners, artists, designers, technologists and scientists to consider the complex and interdependent ecosystems that make up a city, ask how we define cities of the future, and examine trends that are shaping that future.
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