AI Driven Empowerment of Global Climate Finance and Carbon Market Governance: Closing the Global Climate Financing & Investment Gap Through an Inclusive Digital Just Transition

Shaikh Hamad Rakadh Salem Rakadh Office and the Social Impact Investment Foundation (SIIF)

Supporting Partner

Session 562

Monday, 6 July 2026 ∼ 11:00–11:45 (UTC+02:00) Physical (on-site) and Virtual (remote) participation Room L2, ITU Montbrillant Building Interactive Session

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Physical (on-site) and Virtual (remote) participation

This official thematic side event of WSIS 2026 is co-hosted by the Global SDGs and Leadership Development Center (GSLDC), the United Nations Global Leadership & ESG Programme (UNGLEP) and the UAE Global 2031 Strategic Partner, with co-organization undertaken by the Office of Shaikh Hamad Rakadh Salem Rakadh and the Social Impact Investment Foundation (SIIF).

Centered on the intersection of digital innovation, AI-driven climate solutions, global climate finance and cross-border carbon market governance, this high-level multi-stakeholder roundtable aligns fully with the core priorities of WSIS+20 and addresses three fundamental structural obstacles to global climate action: a yearly climate investment shortfall of USD 4.5–7 trillion versus less than USD 2 trillion in actual worldwide climate finance flows, fragmented cross-border carbon trading frameworks stipulated under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, and insufficient liquidity across transnational carbon markets.

The roundtable will bring together senior representatives from the International Trade Centre (ITC), UAE financial regulatory authorities, carbon exchange operators, corporate senior ESG executives and global impact investment practitioners.

Ms. Ling Gao Executive Director Global SDGs and Leadership Development Center (GSLDC), Singapore Moderator

Gao Ling currently serves as Executive Director of the Global SDGs and Leadership Development Center. She oversees the work of the SDG and Leadership Empowerment Platform affiliated with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) across the Asia-Pacific region.

In 2025, she assisted the Beijing Municipal Government in taking the lead to establish a multilateral urban dialogue platform — the Global Alliance of Cities for Digital Economy in Geneva, and managed the Geneva Office. She has long been committed to multilateral and bilateral international cooperation in the field of sustainable development. She previously worked as a Senior Project Management Specialist at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the United Nations Volunteers (UNV).

She has managed fiscal and tax reform and capacity-building projects financed by World Bank loans, coordinated multiple stakeholders to advance institutional development at the macroeconomic level, and taken an active part in talent training and overseas assignment support for personnel of international organizations.

In addition, she once worked for the American Chamber of Commerce and participated in the establishment of the U.S. Consulate General in Wuhan, actively promoting bilateral economic, trade and diplomatic cooperation between China and the United States.

Mr. Francis Gurry Former Director General of WIPO & Chairman of GSLDC • Global SDGs and Leadership Development Center (GSLDC), Singapore

Topics

Digital Economy Digital Inclusion Environment Infrastructure

WSIS Action Lines

C1. The role of governments and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICTs for development
C2. Information and communication infrastructure
C4. Capacity building
C6. Enabling environment
C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-business
C11. International and regional cooperation