UAE Minister Dr. Sultan Al Jaber to Receive Global Leadership Award in 2026

The Middle East Institute (MEI) is pleased to announce it will present Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and ADNOC Group CEO, the 2026 Distinguished Global Leadership Award, which will be presented at MEI’s annual gala, in March 2026, in Washington, D.C.

• The Award and Doctor Al Jaber
• The award acknowledges Dr. Al Jaber for his global leadership across several key themes:
• Energy and technology development
• Economic expansion and industrial development
• Fostering international collaboration
• Encouragement and investment in young talent

Dr. Al Jaber, since his appointment to the position of UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, has played a critical leadership role advocating for balanced and practical energy generation and usage across the globe in today’s AI-based digital economy. He is also modernising ADNOC into the world’s energy company of the future using AI and other advanced technologies, all while encouraging companies to be better corporate citizens and responsible stewards of the environment for sustainable growth.

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A Career Dedicated to Progress

Dr. Al Jaber has spent more than two decades in international business and public service. As the founding CEO and now chairman of Masdar, an international renewable energy company, he has helped to make the UAE a global leader in sustainability and clean energy. At COP28 held in 2023, he was able to get nearly 200 countries to agree on tracking progress around a structured list of practical climate actions through the historic UAE Consensus. He also convened leaders in the fields of energy, finance, and technology to help find intelligent approaches to tackling growing energy demand, especially around the disruption of AI.

A Long List of Achievements

Dr. Al Jaber’s prior recognition includes:

1. United Nations Champion of the Earth Award
2. Commander of the British Empire (CBE), by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
3. Order of the Union Award, by His Highness the President of the UAE
4. CERAWeek Leadership Award, 2024, for his work building global energy consensus

He is also Executive Chairman of XRG, which is ADNOC’s international investment arm and he supports innovation and education through various organization.

Education and Gala Event

Dr. Al Jaber has a Chemical Engineering Degree, University of Southern California; an MBA, California State University; and a Ph.D. in Economics, Coventry University.

The award will take place during MEI’s 78th Annual Gala at the Ritz-Carlton in Washington, D.C. in March 2026. The Gala will include senior officials from the U.S. Government, diplomats, business executives, and thought leaders from around the world to be there to celebrate his remarkable achievements.