Women in Green Hydrogen Middle East
Women Advancing the Green Energy Transition Awards 2026
Recognising women whose leadership, expertise and practical contributions are accelerating the green energy transition in the UAE and across the GCC.
About the awards
Celebrating contribution and impact, and creating role models for the next generation
Five awards will recognise women making meaningful contributions to the energy transition. They include women whose impact may not yet have received broad public recognition. The ceremony will take place at RAK Energy Summit 2026, a high-level regional platform for sustainable energy, policy, innovation and collaboration.
A joint recognition initiative
Led by Women in Green Hydrogen Middle East, together with the UAE Government, in collaboration with Ras Al Khaimah Municipality and RAK Energy Summit.
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Recognise women delivering demonstrable impact across policy, industry, innovation, research and community development
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Increase the visibility of experienced women, including important contributors who often work behind the scenes
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Highlight the breadth of expertise needed to deliver the green energy transition
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Strengthen collaboration between government, industry, academia and the WiGH network
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Create a respected, recurring platform that can grow with the regional energy transition
Award categories
Five awards, one recipient in each
The categories are deliberately broad, so they reflect the whole regional ecosystem while staying distinct for nominees, judges and the audience.
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01
Government and Policy Leadership
For a woman in government, a public authority or a public-sector organisation whose leadership has advanced enabling policy, strategy, regulation or public programmes for the green energy transition.
Nominate in this category -
02
Industry and Project Delivery
For a woman who has helped turn ambition into implementation through the development, financing, construction, operation or commercial delivery of renewable energy, hydrogen or decarbonisation projects.
Nominate in this category -
03
Innovation and Technology
For a woman advancing new technologies, digital solutions, business models or technical applications that improve the feasibility, scale or impact of green energy solutions.
Nominate in this category -
04
Research, Education and Skills
For a woman creating knowledge, building capabilities or developing future talent through research, academia, training, mentoring or professional education.
Nominate in this category -
05
Community Impact and Emerging Leadership
For a woman whose leadership is creating wider participation, local impact or new momentum in the transition. This may recognise an emerging leader or a less-visible contributor with clear influence and potential.
Nominate in this category
Who can be nominated
Eligibility
- Open to women of any nationality working in the UAE or the wider GCC, provided their contribution is relevant to the region
- Nominees may come from government, industry, academia, civil society, international organisations or entrepreneurship
- Both self-nominations and nominations by others are welcome
- Current Advisory Board members and members of the selection panel are not eligible in the inaugural year
- A nominee is considered in only one final category. The organisers may reassign a nomination with the nominator's knowledge
Eligible fields include renewable energy, green hydrogen and derivatives, energy efficiency, grids and storage, sustainable mobility, industrial decarbonisation, climate technology, policy, finance, research and skills development.
How nominations are assessed
Assessment criteria
- Demonstrated impact35%
- Leadership and influence25%
- Contribution to the green energy transition20%
- Collaboration and wider benefit10%
- Role-model value and need for visibility10%
Tip: impact carries the most weight. Focus on concrete outcomes rather than job responsibilities.
Governance and selection
A credible, collective selection
Women in Green Hydrogen Middle East leads the open call, supported by the UAE Government and Ras Al Khaimah Municipality. A high-level Selection Committee chooses the winners. No single organisation or individual has sole decision-making authority.
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1
Open call
Shared widely through WiGH Middle East, WiGH, the Advisory Board and regional networks. Direct applications and nominations by others, with consent, are accepted.
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2
Committee assessment
WiGH Middle East gives the Selection Committee the eligible candidate pool. The Committee brings together the Advisory Board, UAE Government energy authorities, RAK Municipality and senior regional leaders, and evaluates every candidate against the agreed criteria.
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3
Final selection
The Committee deliberates collectively and selects five winners, one per category. It records a short written rationale and the supporting evidence for each.
- Confidential treatment of applications, nominations and deliberations
- Evidence-based submissions with examples of impact
- A written rationale for every winner
Key dates
From nomination to ceremony
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21 Sep – 7 Oct
Open call
Nominations and applications are open.
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8 – 19 Oct
Eligibility screening
Submissions are reviewed for completeness and eligibility.
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20 – 25 Oct
Selection
The Selection Committee assesses candidates and selects one winner per category.
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26 Oct – 2 Nov
Winners notified
Winners are invited privately and confirm their attendance.
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26 Nov
Awards ceremony
Presented at RAK Energy Summit 2026 in Ras Al Khaimah.
Nomination form
Nominate a woman advancing the green energy transition
It takes about 20 minutes. Your answers are saved in this browser as you type, so you can come back and finish later. Fields marked with an asterisk are required.
Thank you, your nomination has been received
Your reference is . Keep it in case you need to contact us about this nomination.
WiGH Middle East will review all submissions for eligibility between 8 and 19 October. Winners will be notified privately between 26 October and 2 November 2026.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can I nominate myself?
Yes. Both self-nominations and nominations by others are welcome. If you are nominating someone else, WiGH Middle East may contact her to obtain her consent before the final assessment.
Who is eligible?
Women of any nationality working in the UAE or the wider GCC, whose contribution is relevant to the region. They may come from government, industry, academia, civil society, international organisations or entrepreneurship. Current Advisory Board and selection panel members are not eligible this year.
Can someone be nominated in more than one category?
Each nominee is considered in only one final category. Choose the category that fits best. The organisers may reassign a nomination, with the nominator's knowledge, if another category is a better fit.
How are winners selected?
A Selection Committee assesses the eligible candidates against five weighted criteria: demonstrated impact (35%), leadership and influence (25%), contribution to the green energy transition (20%), collaboration and wider benefit (10%), and role-model value (10%). The Committee selects one winner per category collectively.
Is my nomination confidential?
Yes. Applications, nominations and deliberations are treated confidentially and are used only to assess the awards.
When will winners be announced?
Winners are notified privately between 26 October and 2 November 2026. The awards are presented at RAK Energy Summit 2026 in Ras Al Khaimah on 26 November 2026.