Global Policy Leaders Convene in Perth for World Renewable Energy Congress 2026

World Renewable Energy Congress Commences at Murdoch University

Perth has officially stepped into the international spotlight today, Sunday, 8 February 2026, as the World Renewable Energy Congress (WREC 2026) officially opens at Murdoch University. The six-day summit has drawn global leaders from government, industry, and academia to the city to address the urgent challenges of the global energy transition and net-zero emissions targets.

As one of the world’s longest-running international renewable energy forums, WREC 2026 serves as a primary platform for knowledge exchange and high-level policy dialogue. Western Australia is being showcased during the event as a "living laboratory" for renewable energy deployment, specifically in the fields of green hydrogen, energy storage, and low-carbon industrial development. Today’s opening sessions are focused on establishing the governance frameworks necessary to support large-scale decarbonisation.

Key agenda items and policy themes being explored in the opening sessions include:

• Renewable energy technologies and systems integration across international borders.
• Strategic decarbonisation of heavy industry and the critical minerals sector.
• Energy transition policy and the implementation of inclusive governance models.
• Innovation pathways for net-zero goals and climate resilience in urban environments.

METRONET Milestone: Illuminate the Journey Concludes

On the domestic front, the state government is marking the final day of the "Illuminate the Journey" community celebration. The 10-day event, centered around the Oats Street Station precinct, concludes today, Sunday, 8 February. This initiative was part of the government’s broader METRONET program, which officials describe as the most significant transformation of the state’s public transport infrastructure in history.

The event was designed to activate six hectares of new public open space delivered under the elevated section of the METRONET Armadale Line. State government representatives have highlighted the project’s success in revitalizing underutilized areas and providing new community amenities, including youth plazas and sports courts, which are being showcased to the public for the last time as part of the formal opening festivities today.

Government Focus on Security and Community Safety

While no formal City Council votes are scheduled for this Sunday, local and state government leaders remain focused on community safety following the recent security incident at Forrest Place. The City of Perth leadership has maintained a heightened security presence throughout the weekend to ensure the safety of the thousands of residents and international delegates currently participating in WREC 2026 and the ongoing Perth Festival. Premier Roger Cook has emphasized the government's commitment to fostering a vibrant and safe creative economy as these major international and cultural events continue to draw significant crowds to the city center.