· UN Secretary General launches UN Year of Sustainable Energy for All
· United Nations, China and South Korea deliver keynotes during WFES 2012
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the United Arab Emirates affirmed that - led by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates - God protect him – The United Arab Emirates is committed to retaining its leading role as a global energy provider through energy diversification including the adoption of renewable energy technologies.
At the opening ceremony of the fifth annual World Future Energy Summit (WFES), today, His Highness stressed the importance of the open discussions taking place at the Summit - and their role in shaping the policies that foster cooperation in international communities in order to ensure energy security, sustainable development and to help mitigate climate change. His Highness emphasized that improving the quality of life is one of the topmost goals of the leadership of the United Arab Emirates.
His Highness said: “Energy is a vital vein that nurtures all aspects of modern day civilization. In addressing the several challenges facing the world today, it is our responsibility to guarantee energy security and to exert every effort in developing clean technologies. It is our responsibility to take advantage of the various renewable natural sources of energy to achieve sustainable development.”
His Highness added: “Over five years ago, we began our work in building capacity in the renewable energy sector. Today, we realize that this approach has gained increasing regional and global attention – We are continuously hearing of new solar or other renewable energy projects being launched – This is exactly what is required – a collaborative effort and the multiplying of efforts to achieve energy security. We are staying the course in our objective and we are working in parallel streams towards developing local and international projects – and as such transferring knowledge and building bridges with the international community.”
His Highness commended Masdar for hosting the World Future Energy Summit and for its role in enhancing the United Arab Emirates image in the international arena –specifically in the renewable energy and sustainable development sectors. His Highness explained that Masdar is a strategic, long term national investment with economic, political, scientific and social implications.
His Highness greeted the guests of the Summit which included Presidents, Ministers, dignitaries, academics and entrepreneurs, emphasizing that the UAE has and will always have faith in the power of collaborative efforts in facing global challenges and achieving collective goals.
The opening ceremony of the Summit received Wen Jiabao, Premier of People’s Republic of China, Kim Hwang-sik, the South Korean Prime Minister, His Excellency Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General of the United National, and His Excellency Nassir Abdul Aziz Al-Nassir, President of the UN 66th General Assembly.
In his address, Chinese Premier HE Wen Jiabao congratulated and thanked His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the success of the Summit and commended the high-level participation that includes politicians and industry experts. The Premier stressed the importance of working to develop future energy and achieving sustainable development to push forward the economic momentum.
The Premier highlighted that he had heard a lot about Abu Dhabi and Masdar’s efforts in accelerating, developing and deploying renewable energy technologies and as such was looking forward to his first visit to the United Arab Emirates. He spoke of the evolution of the energy sector and its effects on the economy and how the human race has been through different phases starting from wood, to coal, hydrocarbons and nuclear to renewable energy. He emphasized that with each change of energy source, the world witnessed great development in its production capacity. He added that if the world committed to developing renewable energy it would be able to heed more opportunities for economic growth.
Furthermore, this year’s WFES opening ceremony served as a platform for the launch of the UN Secretary General’s Year of Sustainability for All.
In his keynote address, the Secretary General said: “I thank Masdar and the Government of Abu Dhabi for organizing this important summit and hosting the launch of the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All. Energy is central to everything we do – from powering our economies to achieving the Millennium Development Goals… from combating climate change to underpinning global security. It is the golden thread that connects economic growth, increased social equity and preserving the environment.”
Urging nations and individuals to actively participate in the Year he added: We need innovation that can spread throughout the developing world -where energy demand is growing fastest. We need partnerships with the private sector, which is the global engine of growth and the primary source of new investments. And we need visionary leadership from you – from governments, from the private sector, from investors and from civil society.”
In delivering his keynote speech, Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar said: “This esteemed audience of dignitaries reflects the success of the UAE’s vision under the wise leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE – God Protect him, and the unyielding support of His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Through this collaborative effort, and mandated to build bridges of partnerships with countries to address the challenge of climate change - we have started reaping the results of the vision of our leadership.”
The day culminated with two consecutive Panels of Ministers’ from across the world, discussing a wide range of themes including energy policy, investment and funding, green buildings, clean transport, solar, wind and biofuels.
For more information please visit: www.masdar.ae
Contacts
Masdar
Serene Serhan
press@masdar.ae
+971-2-653-6017 / 800-MASDAR (800-627327)
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