World Green Economy Summit Announces Programme and Key Note Sprakers for Event

Sunday 29 May 2016

Dubai - MENA Herald: Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, today hosted a press conference to announce the agenda and speakers for the third World Green Economy Summit, which is taking place from 5th to 6th October at Dubai International Convention and Exhibitions Centre. The summit, operating under the new banner theme of “Driving Global Green Economy”, will focus on how to drive, create and sustain a Global Green Economy whilst outlining and positioning the UAE’s vision for its own green agenda going forward.
WGES 2016, hosted by DEWA, under the umbrella of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, in collaboration with World Climate Ltd, international partners is supported by the United Nations. The Summit runs in conjunction with 18th session of Water, Energy & Environment Exhibition (WETEX) and Dubai Solar Show 2016.
WGES 2016, hosted by DEWA, under the umbrella of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, in collaboration with World Climate Ltd, international partners is supported by the United Nations. The Summit runs in conjunction with 8th session of Water, Energy & Environment Exhibition (WETEX) and Dubai Solar Show 2016.
The press conference was attended by H.E. Thani Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, MD and CEO of Dubai Water and Electricity Authority and Chairman of World Green Economy Summit;; Adnan Amin, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), HE Ahmed Butti Al Muhairbi, Secretary General of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy (DSCE), Mr. Frode Mauring, United Nations Resident Representative in the UAE (covering Qatar and Oman), HE Saif Humaid Al Falasi, Chief Executive Officer-ENOC Group, HE Eng. Essa Al Maidoor Deputy Director General Of Dubai Municipality (DM), Eng. Waleed Salman, Vice Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Summit and EVP – Strategy & Business Development at DEWA, Dr. Yousef Ibrahim Al Akraf, Chairman of logistics committee - WGES and EVP Business Support & HR, and Jens Nielsen, CEO of World Climate Ltd, and a number of senior officials from ministries and government departments in UAE.
In his speech during the conference, HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy said:
“Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, the World Green Economy Summit 2016 is held under a new theme “Driving Global Green Economy”. WGES 2016 aims to support the UAE Vision 2021 and further the National Agenda to promote sustainable development. This year’s program will focus on how to further the Global Green Economy agenda whilst outlining and positioning the UAE’s vision and Dubai Plan 2021. The Summit aims to support Dubai’s ambitions in the Green Economy sector and drive the Clean Energy Strategy 2050.
The summit aims to support the ambitions and objectives of UAE Vision 2021 and further the National Agenda to promote sustainable development, and Dubai Plan 2021 aiming to achieve a healthy and sustainable clean environment, and Clean Energy Strategy 2050 launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai last year. The Clean Energy Strategy 2050 aims to provide 7% of Dubai’s energy from solar sources by 2020, 25% by 2030 and 75% from clean energy by 2050, and seeks to make Dubai the city with the lowest carbon footprint in the world by 2050 and a global centre for clean energy and energy conservation.”
The UAE is taking major strides to drive the low-carbon green economy with the support of its vision and wise leadership, which is in line with global trends and efforts. The historic agreement to combat climate change which was reached at the 2015 Paris Climate Conference was a clear example of global determination and dedication. Last year, for the first time in over 20 years of UN negotiations, all 195 members reached a legally binding and universal agreement on climate change, with the aim of keeping global warming below 2°C.”
All reports issued by United Nations indicate that the main benefits of doubling today’s share of renewable energy is to keep the increase in global average temperature well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels; while avoiding up to 12 gigatons of CO2, creating more than 24 million jobs, saving 4 million lives a year and boosting global GDP up to US$1.3 trillion.”
Locally, we are working to achieve the objectives of the UAE’s Green Growth Strategy launched in January 2015. Yearly public investments reaching 2.4% of total GDP in technology and enhancing green efficiency in all economic activities will help increase the rate of economic growth by 4- 4.5% by 2030.”
Al Tayer added: International reports by the UN indicate that doubling today’s share of renewable energy in the global energy mix by 2030 could save $2.4 trillion yearly, which exceeds total costs 15 times. The United Nations environment program expects the size of the global market for products and services to have doubled to $2.74 by the end of 2020.
The success achieved by the previous instalments of WGES in terms of developments and turnout has made us more determined than ever to achieve our aim in positioning Dubai as a global capital for the green economy. In addition, the Summit provides an ideal platform for bringing senior experts and professionals in the green economy together to strengthen PPP and develop green initiatives, not only for Dubai but for the whole world.
WGES 2016 aims to achieve strategic objectives that complements the key commitments contained in Dubai declaration:
Help to promote Dubai’s position as a global capital of green economy and sustainable development
Raise the profile of key issues such as Clean Energy, The Green Fund and the development of a dedicated Green Business Zone.
Maintain WGES as the premier international platform for Green Economy
WGES 2016 will see distinct participation by a number of distinguished speakers including: Helen Clark, Administrator, UNDP; H.E. Mohamed Boussaid, Minister of Economy and Finance, Morocco; H.E. Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change, Government of UAE; H.E. Reem Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for Int. Cooperation, MD Dubai Expo 2020; Ken Berlin, CEO, Climate Reality Project; Daniel CALLEJA CRESPO, Director-General, EU; H.E. Dr. Khaled Fahmy, Minister of Environment, Arab Republic of Egypt; Adnan Z. Amin, Director General, International Renewable Energy Agency; Gasem Al Shaikh, CEO, Petroleum, Chemicals & Mining Company Limited; and Torben Moger Pedersen, CEO, PensionDanmark.

The programme will incorporate plenary sessions, breakout sessions and a wide selection of expert-led presentations, covering key topics including:
Green Finance: How to mobilize sufficient global green capital
Solar Energy: World energy game changers bringing about the solar revolution
Smart, Happy & Green: Transforming cities through people and technology
Road to COP22 in Marrakech: Bringing the Paris agreement into action from agreement to action
Thought Leadership for the Green Economy: Making Initiatives out of targets for the green economy
The Public Private Partnership Platform: The unique green economy match-making mechanism
Mr Al Tayer ended his speech stressing the importance of concerted efforts and endeavours and initiatives undertaken at all levels to shed light on this vital sector to achieve happiness and well-being for all people, in present and in the future.
In his speech during the conference, H.E. Dr. Alzeyoudi said that the initiative of “Green Economy for Sustainable Development” which was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 2012 aims to build a sustainable future and to adopt the principles of a green economy in order to ensure the competitiveness of the national economy and to support its contribution in reducing the effects of climate change.

“Under the guidance of our leadership, the UAE has taken important strides in implementing the country’s green growth strategy and in putting in place the required in collaboration with all concerned entities approved by the Ministerial Council in 2015. This includes the proposed goals and programs such as the transformation management and empowerment programs in addition to the strategic key performance indicators (KPIs) that will be utilized to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed programs,” said H.E. Dr. Alzeyoudi.

H.E. added: “The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment is keen on collaborating with all stakeholders to support green growth through 96 initiatives. The UAE Council for Green Development was established to oversee the implementation of the programs based on the approved mechanisms and indicators.”
In his speech, Mr. Adnan Amin, Director- General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) said: "2015 was a record year for renewable energy investment with more capacity added worldwide from renewables for power than from all other sources combined. Renewables are increasingly seen as the most competitive solution for new power generation and as such are a key driver for the global green economy, as demonstrated by the record low prices achieved in Dubai for solar PV. To accelerate the energy transition already underway, convening platforms like the World Green Economy Summit are critical to promote the necessary cooperation between private investors and public finance institutions.”
Mr. Frode Mauring, United Nations Resident Coordinator & United Nations Resident Development Programme Resident Representative in UAE stated that: “UNDP is honored to be a partner in the World Green Economy Summit”.
Also Mr. Mauring added that “The summit demonstrates UAE’s willingness to exert leadership in innovative approaches to green economy developments building on its own pioneering efforts and vision”.

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