IATA to host World Sustainability Symposium in Brussels

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) will host its fourth World Sustainability Symposium (WSS) in Brussels, Belgium, on October 13-14, 2026. The event aims to address the policies and actions required to achieve net zero carbon emissions in air transport by 2050.

Bringing together leaders from the aviation, energy, finance, technology, and government sectors, the symposium seeks to foster dialogue between industry stakeholders and policymakers. The goal is to accelerate decarbonization while maintaining the economic and social benefits of global air connectivity.

Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President Sustainability and Chief Economist, noted that the industry’s transition depends on systemic factors, including increased renewable energy production, new infrastructure, and advanced technologies. She emphasized that the symposium in Brussels provides a vital opportunity to align policy with the interdependent solutions needed to scale decarbonization efforts.