Sydney soars as city secures Sustainable Aviation Fuel Summit for next three years

Sydney has been selected to host the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) APAC Summit in a landmark three-year deal that will anchor the event in the city from 2027–2029. Having previously been held in Melbourne, the summit was secured by Business Events Sydney (BESydney) from 2027 under the new agreement: a significant vote of confidence in Sydney's credentials as the region's leading hub for sustainable innovation.

Sustainable aviation fuel is a lower-carbon alternative to conventional jet fuel derived from sources including agricultural waste, forestry residues and municipal solid waste and is widely regarded as the most viable near-term solution to decarbonise the aviation sector. With Asia-Pacific projected to be the fastest-growing aviation market worldwide, the APAC region plays a critical role in scaling SAF globally.

The summit will be hosted at the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney), with the first event to take place in July 2027. Commencing with approximately 3000 participants over two days, the summit is expected to grow year-on-year and deliver an estimated $2.3 million in direct expenditure to the local economy each year. To mark the occasion, an official signing ceremony took place at ICC Sydney on Friday 10 July with the NSW Government, Leader Associates, BESydney, and ICC Sydney present to co-sign the three-year agreement.

NSW Minister for Climate Change, the Environment, Energy and Heritage, the Hon. Penny Sharpe MLC, said: "The Minns Labor Government is building a strong renewable fuels industry in NSW as part of our transition to net zero, with sustainable aviation fuels playing a critical role in that future.

"Through our landmark Renewable Fuel Strategy, we're backing the investment and innovation needed to accelerate local production, drive down emissions, create local jobs and strengthen fuel security.

"We look forward to welcoming delegates across the region to Sydney, driving practical outcomes and partnerships that will help deliver a more sustainable aviation future."

Eddie Lee, Managing Director of Leader Associates, said: "Through our partnership with the NSW

Government, we are creating Asia Pacific's leading platform to advance the sustainable aviation fuel economy. Thousands of global industry leaders will come together annually at the SAF APAC Summit, connecting governments, airlines, investors and innovators, accelerating collaboration, creating new commercial opportunities and shaping the future of global SAF markets."

Sydney has also secured the inaugural Future Grid & AI Data Centres (FGDC) APAC Summit, also organised by Leader Associates, to be held alongside the SAF APAC Summit at ICC Sydney in 2027. The FGDC APAC Summit will unite global thought leaders to address the critical intersection of energy infrastructure and artificial intelligence-driven demand.

BESydney Chief Client Officer Kristian Nicholls said the win reflected Sydney's growing leadership in the global energy transition. “We are proud to have secured the three consecutive years of SAF APAC Summit for Sydney. This event is a powerful endorsement of Sydney’s standing as a hub for sustainable innovation,” Mr Nicholls said.

“We are proud to champion the strong alignment between the Summit and the NSW Government’s renewable fuel initiatives, including the Australia-Asia SAF Alliance, the Renewable Fuel Strategy, the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Prospectus, and the e-SAF Value Chain in NSW report by the NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub.”

ICC Sydney CEO Adam Mather-Brown said the event would supercharge sustainability advancements for the global aviation industry. " “ICC Sydney supercharges sustainability advancements, investment and connections at events. Through our Legacy Program, our team connects clients with Sydney's innovation and sustainability solutions, creating value long after events end. This strong foundation underpins our collaboration with Leader Associates and BESydney to host the Sustainable Aviation Fuel APAC Summit (2027–2029). We look forward to supporting meaningful exchange and advancing innovation in this important sector."