Heads of state, industry leaders to join Dubai energy forum

Dubai is hosting the World Energy Forum (WEF) where the world leaders and energy experts will gather to discuss the global need for safe, sustainable and widely-available energy in order to strengthen the social and economic development foundations all over the world, said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman of the Supreme Council of Energy for Dubai, said yesterday. "The WEF confirms the UAE's leadership and people's commitment to continue to establish the foundations for the all-round economic and social development and accomplish sustainable development toward becoming one of the foremost nations in the world," Sheikh Ahmed told a press conference. The event, with 'Forum for world leaders' as its theme, will bring together more than 40 heads of state, 100 ministers and 200 industry leaders in the energy sector. The event will take place at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre "DICEC" from Oct. 22-24. It is the first time that the WEF is taking place outside the UN headquarters. Dubai was selected to host this event after fierce competition from other international venues and cities. "Amid this fierce competition, Dubai emerged as a clear winner and most dignified host city, committed to make the World Energy Forum 2012 a historic success, Harold Hyun-Suk Oh, president of the World Energy Forum said. "The forum aims to explore the roadmap toward a cleaner, safer and sustainable global energy system that will benefit all nations and peoples. It is no gainsaying that energy, the dominant contributor to climate change, is the bedrock for the socioeconomic transformation of our vastly developing societies," Oh added. "The UAE is looking to diversify its energy resources and fortify its leading status as a global research and development hub for renewable energy, emphasizing the importance of ongoing research for alternative energy resources; where the UAE, and Dubai especially, work hand in hand with other countries to review and analyze ways to achieve a bright future and sustainable development for the people of the earth," UAE Minister of Energy Mohammed bin Dhaen Al-Hamli said. "The fact that the UAE is home to the International Renewable Energy Association, IRENA, Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company's (Masdar) achievements in building a carbon-free city, the launch of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Solar Park, set to be one of the largest energy projects in the region, clearly demonstrate the nation's commitment to adopt sources of renewable-energy and its movement to be a clean and sustainable environment on both local and global scales," Al-Hamli added. "The forum will contribute to launch a global drive for providing cleaner, safer and more sustainable energy for all," Saeed Mohammed Al-Tayer, vice chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, said. "If we don't progress toward a greener economy, it is expected that the world will greatly suffer from global warming and exhaustion of conventional natural resources. Scientists estimate that current trends of development can lead to a 25 percent increase in world demand for oil by 2030 over that in 2006. This will lead to an increase in the emissions of greenhouse gases from 28 Gigatons of carbon dioxide in 2006 to 40 Gigatons by 2030 and 62 Gigatons of carbon dioxide by 2050," said Elissar Sarrouh, UN resident coordinator and UNDP resident representative in the UAE. Sheikha Lubna Al-Qasimi, minister for foreign trade, and many other senior diplomats and officials were also present. From: Arabnews