The organizing
committee of World Green Economy Summit
(WGES) held a press conference on Wednesday, 9th October 2019 at Madinat
Jumeirah Hotel in Dubai to announce the completion of preparations for hosting
the summit, one of the largest events related green economy in the world.
WGES will be held under
the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice
President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai at Dubai
International Convention and Exhibition Center on October 20th-21st.
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority
(DEWA) is organizing the summit
in collaboration with World Green
Economy Organization (WGEO) under
the theme ‘Innovative Technologies for a Sustainable Economy’ and will focus on
three key pillars – Sustainable Development Mechanisms; International
Cooperation to support the Green Economy System; and Adoption of Green
Innovative Solutions.
The press conference
was attended by H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Climate
Change and Environment, and HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy in
Dubai, Managing Director and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority
(DEWA), and Chairman of WGES, in addition to HE Ahmad Buti Al Muhairbi,
Secretary General of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy (DSCE), as well as
other government officials and representatives of the private sector.
Organized throughout
two days, WGES will offer a global platform for decision makers, government
officials, international business leaders, and world-renowned experts to
discuss how to advance sustainability and promote green investments.
H.E. Dr. Thani bin
Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, said, “The transformation to green economy is one of the
priorities of the UAE, and as per the direction of the wise leadership, the
country has implemented an integrated mechanism to support this transformation
that includes a legislation umbrella that sets the concept and the general
practices to realize this transformation. Also, the UAE has launched
initiatives and programs to ensure economic growth while maintaining the
environment and the
natural resources of the country and decreasing carbon percentages, that is one
of the pillars of moving to green economy.”
HE Dr. Al Zeyoudi added,
“WGES since its inception five years ago has contributed significantly in
experience and knowledge transfer as well as highlighting the efforts exerted
by the UAE. Also the Summit has created a platform to finance green investments
through Dubai declaration that was launched during it.”
HE Dr. Al Zeyoudi also
valued the significant role exerted by the World Green Economy Organisation and
DEWA in organising the summit and attracting elite of officials, decision
makers, experts and specialists.”
During the press conference,
HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer said, “The preparations are completed to host the
sixth edition of WGES that is organized by DEWA and WGEO in collaboration with
international partners. In line with the directives and patronage of His
Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime
Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, that aims to support the relentless
efforts of the UAE in sustainable development, as well as to reinforce Dubai’s
position as the global capital of green economy. While our wise leadership is keen to build a more sustainable
environment, we aim to find long term solutions that address the challenges in
line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030, and the transition to
green economy to ensure a sustainable future for us and generations to come.”
HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer unveiled during his speech that the sixth
edition of summit will have presence of a number of presidents, global leaders
and influencers. He said, “One of the biggest guests to the summit is H.E. Ban
Ki Moon – Former Secretary-General of the United Nations, who will participate
as the main speaker, as well as H.E. François Hollande, Former President of
France, H.E. Felipe Calderón, Former President of Mexico, H.E. Juan Manuel Santos,
Former President of Colombia and H.E. Julia Gillard, Former Prime Minister of
Australia, and HE Ovais Sarmad, Deputy Executive Secretary of the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Locally, the summit will witness the participation of H.E. Dr. Thani
bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, H.E.
Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri, UAE Minister of State for Food
Security, HE
Awaidha
Murshed Al Marar, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Department of Energy and Dr. Aisha
Bint Butti Bin Bishr, Director General, Smart Dubai Office.
To enrich the
discussion of the summit, that aims to find solutions to move green economy
ahead and achieve sustainable development goals, as well as address the
challenges of climate change, WGES will also see participation of government
employees, decision makers, international consultants in the green economy
along with members of non-governmental institutions.
HE Saeed Mohammed Al
Tayer added, “These efforts have borne fruit in developing pioneering policies,
strategies and plans, in the form of UAE Centennial 2071, UAE Vision 2021,
Dubai Plan 2021, Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, UAE Green Agenda and the
Carbon Abatement Strategy 2021 in addition to Dubai Declaration, a strategic
commitment underlying the development of WGES.”
HE Saeed Mohammed Al
Tayer said, “In the past five editions, WGES has played a vital role in
formulating effective responses to the damaging impact of environmental
degradation and the use of the earth’s finite natural resources to support our
economic system. Humanity is already suffering the consequences of these
unsustainable practices and there is an urgent need to reinforce the green
economy systems around the world.”
HE Saeed Mohammed Al
Tayer expressed his thanks to the wise government for their continuous support
towards the march of green economy, locally and globally. “We continue our
commitment for the strategic collaboration with partners and continue our
dialogue and discussion to address climate change issues and their various
challenges. Our hopes are big, our ambitions are limitless, and our primary
motive is to contribute on building sustainable future. Transformational
projects such as the creation of solar power plants, adoption of electric cars,
digitization, supporting infrastructure as well as the construction of
sustainable, low-carbon urban communities across the UAE demonstrate how we can
continue to achieve progress while at the same time protecting the environment
and conserving natural resources for generations to come.”
HE Saeed Mohammed Al
Tayer added, “The summit provides a leading platform for dialogues, ideas and
exchange of expertise and the upcoming edition will feature 3700 participants
including experts, opinion leaders’ specialists from green economy, as well as
CEOs, decision makers and consultants. The summit this year will attract 60 key speakers and will run 14 panel
discussions.”
“On the first day, the
attendees will shed light on sustainable development goals; women in green
economy; the future of mobility; the impact of technology; and youth
engagement. The second day will feature discussions on sustainability in the
private sector; green banking and investments; green energy; sustainable
agriculture; the
provisions of Dubai Declaration; and the recommendations of WGEO.”
HE Saeed Mohammed Al
Tayer added, “The summit this year, which is being staged during the UAE’s Year
of Tolerance will identify leading practices and formulate innovative solutions
to inspire change and push our endeavors forward for a sustainable future for
everyone.”
HE Saeed Mohammed Al
Tayer concluded his speech by emphasizing how the summit has always been at the
forefront to accelerate the green economy agenda and hoped to maintain this
role in the years to come, with Dubai at the centre of these fruitful exchanges
of ideas, experiences, and expertise that to form a better future for humanity.
This is in line with the position of the emirate and its efforts as a global
capital of green economy.
During the press
conference, a video was broadcast for HE Juan Manuel Santos, Former President
of Colombia, where he underscored the significance of international
collaboration to fight climate change across the world. He also expressed his
pleasure to take part in the forthcoming summit. HE Juan Manuel Santos has
always been at the forefront of encouraging dialogue and expertise exchange to
achieve the objectives of green economy. Also, he’s played an instrumental role
in increasing global awareness around climate change in transition towards a
green economy.
WGES this year will be
held in conjuction with the 21st edition of Water, Energy,
Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX) and the fourth edition of Dubai
Solar Show and the sixth edition of the Green Week.
