Earthna Summit 2025

The Arabic word for Earthna or رثناإ captures the essence of sustainability, a prosperous future for humankind and harmony with the planet. The Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future (Earthna) was established by the Qatar Foundation to promote and enable a coordinated approach to environmental, social, and economic sustainability, thereby leading to future prosperity. Earthna acts as a catalyst in the efforts by hot and arid countries, such as Qatar, to translate climate change thinking and sustainability efforts into concrete action. With its strong focus on introducing sustainability into all facets of urban life and combining modern thinking with traditional knowledge, the Earthna Summits facilitate engagement and collaboration between Qatar’s technical experts, academia, government and non-government organizations, and leading international organizations.

During the first Earthna Summit, in 2023, participants, comprising global, regional and local policy makers, among others, focused on the challenges facing hot and arid environments. The aim was to dispel the perception that these environments are less relevant to sustainability since most global discussions tend to concentrate on issues more relevant to tropical and temperate countries. The Summit showcased indigenous, sustainable practices that span cultural, environmental, and social sustainability.

The 2025 Earthna Summit will again take place at the Earthna Village at Barahat Msheireb, Doha, Qatar from 22-23 April 2025. This area in the heart of the capital represents an urban haven, designed to nurture living, leisure, and business in perfect harmony, with all buildings carrying either Gold or Platinum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. This second edition of the Earthna Summit will build on the success of the 2023 Summit, and will host sessions on:

• exploring sustainable solutions for resilience to water scarcity;
• opportunities, challenges, and the road ahead in the energy transition;
• harnessing artificial intelligence for smart governance;
• how to fund a sustainable future through reimagining climate finance;
• rethinking urban sustainability by adopting lessons learned from traditional architecture;
• future proofing cities to ensure they are smart, sustainable, and liveable;
• harnessing partnerships to amplify traditional sustainable urban solutions; and
• how the tradition-technology nexus can address food insecurity.

In addition to the presentations, interactive panel discussions, roundtable sessions, and workshops, the Earthna Village will host inspiring talks by experts and innovators to foster dialogue, and several side events will facilitate networking and collaboration. Highlights during the two days include:

• the announcement of the Earthna Prize winners during the opening plenary;
• the presentation of the Arid Cities Network report from the six pilot cities of Doha, Jaipur, Seville, Lima, Marrakesh, and Muscat;
• the Mangrove Immersive Experience through aerial footage; and
• the INTBAU Track that is being hosted alongside the Earthna Summit 2025 and provides a platform to highlight traditional knowledge in architecture within urban settings.

In the evenings, Earthna Village will host a community-driven exhibition space with engaging activities for all ages.

The Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) writers for this meeting are Suzi Malan, Ph.D.; Emma Vovk; and Denise Young. The Digital Editor is Anastasia Rodopoulou. The Editor is Leila Mead.

Funding for ENB coverage of the Earthna Summit 2025 has been provided by the Qatar Foundation’s Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future.