Agenda Overview (this agenda is evolving)

Athens Greece, May 18-21, 2026

 🌍 May 18th Welcome Excursion Athens Highlights Tour

&

Welcome Reception-ALL Welcomed to Join Us For the Kick Off to he WGES! 

 🌍 May 19th Conference Day 1

 🌍 May 20th Conference Day 2  & Evening NOVA Awards Reception

 🌍 May 21st  Site Tour of a Sustainable Facility in Athens 

May 18— Welcome and City Highlights

14:00 – 16:00 | Optional Welcome Tour | Athens Highlights
Kick off WGES 2026 with a curated guided tour of Athens for those who wish to join. Experience the city’s vibrant energy, inspiring architecture, and historic landmarks while connecting informally with peers before the main conference. This sets the tone for a high-level, strategic event and fosters early networking.

19:00 – 21:00 | Welcome Reception for All
Join all attendees for an elegant evening reception to officially kick off WGES 2026. Mix, network, and set the stage for the strategic discussions ahead while enjoying refreshments and a vibrant atmosphere.

May 19 Conference DAY 1 

10:00 – 10:30 | Introduction Global Energy Leadership and Geopolitical Factors
Global energy is being reshaped by geopolitics, innovation, and climate imperatives. Gain UN perspectives and executive insights on navigating risk and opportunity in energy leadership.

• Understand geopolitical forces shaping energy markets
• Benchmark leadership approaches for navigating volatility
• Identify actionable strategies to future-proof operations

10:30 – 11:00 |  World Energy Security and Resilience in a Renewable Future

• Continuous, reliable energy supply is essential for competitiveness 
• Examine approaches for resilient renewable energy systems
• Explore partnerships to enhance security
• Integrate energy security into enterprise strategy

11:00 – 11:30 |  Energy Finance and Investment Strategies for Unlocking Capital in the Energy Transition
Learn to unlock capital, structure innovative finance deals, and manage risk in the energy transition.

• Explore green bonds, PPAs, and sustainability-linked loans
• Align capital allocation with ESG and corporate strategy
• Identify investment frameworks for energy growth

11:30 – 12:00 | Next-Generation Sustainable Buildings 

Smart systems, net-zero retrofits, and corporate efficiency.

• Discover best practices for net-zero building portfolios
• Understand how efficiency drives financial and sustainability performance
• Integrate building investments with corporate strategy

12:00 – 14:00 | Executive Networking Lunch & New Technologies Showcase
Curated networking lunch to foster high-level connections and deal-making among executives.

14:00 – 14:30|  AI in Energy: Operational Excellence, Predictive Insights, and Sustainable Impact 

Operational optimization, predictive analytics, and sustainability impact.

• Examine AI applications across the energy value chain
• Build organizational AI capabilities
• Address governance and ethical considerations

14:00 – 14:30 | Urban Energy Solutions for Smart Cities and Sustainable Infrastructure  (Breakout)

Smart city energy systems, mobility, and infrastructure innovation.

• Explore opportunities in urban energy ecosystems
• Identify public-private partnership models
• Capture strategic value in urban development initiatives

14:30 – 16:00| Networking & New Technologies Showcase
Curated vendor demonstrations and networking with innovators. Explore cutting-edge solutions in energy, storage, urban planning, and sustainable building.

16:00 – 16:30| Accelerating the Hydrogen Transition Across Industry
Decarbonize industry and transport with hydrogen production, storage, and infrastructure strategies.

• Review hydrogen value chains and business models
• Explore investment priorities and regulatory frameworks
• Integrate hydrogen into corporate operations

16:00 – 16:30 | Carbon Capture Strategies from Industrial Sources  ( Breakout)
Industrial CCUS creates opportunities for emissions reduction and value generation.

• Examine leading CCUS industrial projects
• Understand monetization and utilization options
• Integrate carbon capture into operations

16:30 – 17:00 |  Unlocking Geothermal Potential Through Technology and Partnerships 

Reliable, low-emission baseload power.

• Examine enhanced geothermal technologies
• Explore industrial and municipal applications
• Identify partnership opportunities

Breakout Sessions - Academic Panel TBA

May 20 Conference DAY 2

10:00 – 10:30 |  Tidal Energy Innovation for Corporate and Industrial Applications

Ocean energy as an emerging frontier for renewable generation.   

• Review tidal technologies and development pipelines
• Explore financing and regulatory considerations
• Learn integration strategies for corporate energy portfolios

10:30 – 11:00 |  Battery Storage Innovation: Overcoming Materials, Supply Chain, and Scaling Challenges

Focus on advanced battery chemistries, grid integration, and energy management systems.

• Explore innovations in storage technologies, efficiency, and lifecycle optimization.
• Assess supply chain, materials sourcing, and scalability challenges.
• Map pathways to deploy battery storage at utility and distributed scales. 

11:30 – 12:00 | Transportation Innovation: Innovative Transportation Strategies for Urban Mobility Electrification, sustainable mobility, and infrastructure.

• Explore electric vehicles, charging networks, and mobility platforms
• Assess infrastructure needs and integration with renewable energy
• Map pathways for sustainable transportation adoption at scale

12:00 – 12:30 |Green Skills for Tomorrow: Workforce Transformation

Workforce skills, talent pipelines, and organizational agility.

•  Focus on workforce skills development and training programs
• Explore talent pipelines for sustainability-focused industries
• Assess organizational agility and readiness for energy transition

12:30 – 14::30 | Networking Lunch & New Technologies Showcase
Curated networking lunch to foster high-level connections and deal-making among executives.

14:30 – 15:00 |Sustainable Health for Thriving Communities and Populations 

Healthy communities through health-focused sustainability strategies. 

• Promote community wellness programs
• Integrate wellbeing into ESG and corporate sustainability strategies
• Develop innovative programs that link social responsibility with environmental sustainability

14:30 – 15:00|Green Skills for Tomorrow: Workforce Transformation (Breakout)

Workforce skills, talent pipelines, and organizational agility.

•  Focus on workforce skills development and training programs
• Explore talent pipelines for sustainability-focused industries
• Assess organizational agility and readiness for energy transition

15:00-15:30 |  Efficient and Sustainable Water Practices for Industry and Society

Focuses on water efficiency, treatment technologies, and resilient systems to support communities and industrial operations.

• Promote water efficiency and conservation across industrial and municipal systems
• Explore innovative technologies for water treatment, reuse, and desalination
• Develop resilient water systems to support sustainable communities and operation

15:00 – 15:30 Innovative Waste Management for a Circular and Sustainable Future (Breakout)

 Explore strategies to reduce environmental impact through resource efficiency, recycling, and circular economy practices. 

• Implement circular economy approaches to minimize waste and maximize resource reuse
• Explore innovative recycling technologies and sustainable supply chain practices
• Integrate waste management strategies into corporate ESG and community programs

16:00– 16:30 |Carbon Management and Offsets for a Net-Zero Future

Explore strategies for capturing, storing, and offsetting carbon to achieve sustainability and net-zero goals.

• Explore carbon offset strategies, including nature-based solutions and verified credits
• Integrate carbon management into corporate sustainability and ESG programs
• Assess regulatory frameworks, incentives, and market mechanisms

15:30– 16:00 | Eco Tourism in Harmony: Sustainable Destinations

Leverage energy solutions to drive sustainable tourism and local economic growth.

•  Highlight energy solutions that reduce carbon footprint in tourism
• Explore strategies to promote local economic growth and community engagement
• Assess sustainable destination planning and best practices in eco-tourism

AWARDS RECEPTION

19:00 – 21:00 |  NOVA Awards Ceremony, WGES Formal Awards Gala
Celebrate corporate innovation, sustainability leadership, and technological breakthroughs. Formal cocktail reception , musicians and light fare celebration honoring industry excellence. Networking, recognition, and inspiration for the year ahead.

May 21 Site Tour of  Sustainable Facility in Athens