HIS HIGHNESS SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL MAKTOUM LAUNCHES THE THIRD EDITION OF THE WORLD GREEN ECONOMY SUMMIT IN DUBAI

Under new theme of “Driving Global Green Economy”

The third edition of The World Green Economy Summit (WGES) launched today, under the patronage and in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Under the new theme of “Driving Global Green Economy,” WGES 2016 will continue tomorrow, with various prominent speakers from the region and across the globe, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibitions Centre in New Za’abeel Hall 6. 

Attending the launch of the third edition of the World Green Economy Summit were: HE H.E. Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister for Climate Change and the Environment in the UAE; H.E. Abdulla Abdul Rahman Al Shaibani, Secretary General of the Executive Council of Dubai; H.E. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy in Dubai, Managing Director and CEO of DEWA, and Chairman of WGES; H.E. Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al Fadhli​,​ Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Adnan Amin, Director General at the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA); Helen Clark, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); and international musician Akon, Chairman of Akon Lighting Africa, in addition to a number of senior officials from the public and private sector, international institutions, experts and academics from the fields of green economy and renewable energy, as well as a series of local, regional and international media.

In his speech during the opening ceremony, H.E. Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi emphasized that in order to transform the national economy to a green, sustainable and low-carbon economy, the responsibility must rest not only with the government, but also with the various segments of society and the concerned areas of development within the public and private sectors.

H.E. Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi said:

“Our governmental institutions have been working to coordinate efforts in leading development and progress, and laying the foundations for successful implementation. To this end, we have adopted a series of strategies and policies, and begun implementing them, all working towards raising awareness of the importance of green economy at all levels, in addition to capacity building, and the encouragement of sustainable production and consumption."

“The establishment of a green economy is a critical element to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030, and the Paris Climate Agreement.  Ensuring a coordinated international effort is key to facilitating this transition to a green economy on a global scale, and we are confident that the World Green Economy Summit will enable this."

H.E. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer delivered a keynote speech and thanks His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to the third World Green Economy Summit (WGES) for his wise leadership. He highlighted that His Highness’ vision is a roadmap and a beacon of guidance to all, that will help achieve UAE Vision 2021 to make the UAE one of the best countries of the world by 2021.

H.E. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer  said:

“This year’s Summit is held under the theme “Driving Global Green Economy” to promote Dubai’s leading position as a global capital of green economy and a model to follow in terms of achieving the highest standards of energy efficiency and increasing the renewable energy share for the common good of all nations of the world, and to keep pace with the best global sustainable practices.

Since its inception, the World Green Economy Summit has succeeded in establishing a platform for world and business leaders, decision-makers, experts, specialists and others in the green economy to gather and create partnerships between the public and private sector, and to launch green initiatives not only for Dubai, but for the whole world.

Our programme across the next two days will focus on our theme, aiming to support the ambitions and objectives of UAE Vision 2021 and to further the National Agenda towards sustainable development. Our efforts are also aligned with Dubai Plan 2021’s aims to achieve a healthy and sustainable, clean environment, and with the Clean Energy Strategy 2050, launched by Your Highness, last year to make Dubai a global hub for clean energy and green economy.

As its ultimate goal, the Clean Energy Strategy aims to provide 7% of Dubai’s energy from clean energy sources by 2020, 25% by 2030 and 75% by 2050. The strategy is underpinned by a forecasted investment of more than USD 13 billion in the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which is the largest single-site solar park in the world, with a planned capacity of 5,00MW by 2030.”

He added:

“Along this note, the UAE’s efforts to support the transition to a green economy are underlined by its contribution and commitment to reducing carbon emissions, which formed the basis of the historic Paris Agreement, signed at the Paris Climate Conference 2015. The landmark signing, after 20 years of UN negotiations, saw the participation of 186 of 195 members, who reached a universal agreement on climate change, each committing to keep the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to aim to limit the increase to 1.5°C.

The vital role the UAE played in the negotiations that led to the Paris Agreement through the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) reflect its commitment to mitigating climate change.

The UAE also seeks to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals outlined in the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and is committed to mobilizing all efforts over the next 15 years to eradicate poverty in all its forms, continue the fight against inequality, and mitigate climate change.”

He further elaborated:

“These are ambitious, but achievable goals. In addition, the success of the two previous editions of World Green Economy Summit has made us even more determined in our dedication to enhancing Dubai’s position as the global capital of green economy, and the strategic objectives of WGES 2016 reflect this ambition, and complement the key commitments laid out in the Dubai Declaration:

• To help promote Dubai’s position as a global capital of green economy and sustainable development

• To raise the profile of key issues such as Clean Energy, The Green Fund and the development of a dedicated Green Business Zone

• And to maintain WGES as the premier international platform for Green Economy

• Your Highness, Honorable guests,

Complementing these efforts, Dubai’s road to Expo 2020 is guided by its unrelenting dedication to the green economy. We are committed to delivering one of the greenest expos ever.

Finally, I would like to extend my appreciation to Your Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for your kind patronage and attending the third edition of the Summit.”

He then thanked audiences for their attendance and participation, and remphasised how it is expected to result in key action points that will ultimately strengthen this vital sector.

Following HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer’s address to audiences, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, launched the World Green Economy Organis ation, with the support of the Government of Dubai, and in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, which will be based in Dubai. The organization aims to promote cooperation between the countries in the field of green economy.

Helen Clark, Administrator, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), said:

“Thank you, your Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashed Al Maktoum for your visionary leadership. We need leadership like this in every country in the world, and I also commend His Excellency Saeed Al Tayer for helping to chart the course towards the Green Economy, with the UNFCCC as its partner. The UNDP works actively to support the climate agreement…and strong partnerships are what we need to build a green economy.”

Adnan Amin, Director General at the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), said: 

“This Summit has become an increasingly important platform for in-depth conversations on critical climate action and renewable energy as part of our sustainable future. IRENA is proud to be an event partner, and we look forward to joining discussions on the path-breaking initiatives driving the march towards a green economy future.”              

Meanwhile, Donald Thomas, Astronaut at The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), addressed audiences:

“As one of the nearly 600 astronauts to have travelled to space in the past 55 years, I have a strong appreciation for how fragile Planet Earth is.  From the vantage point of space, 300 km above the planet, it is striking how thin our atmosphere is. Like the oceans, it is not infinite as we once treated it. I applaud the UAE for their leadership and efforts to go green to help protect our planet. There is only one Earth, and all of its inhabitants, regardless of country or continent, must all work together to take care of our planet and help insure its future survival. I am excited and proud to be participating in the World Green Economy Summit."

Audiences also took in an opening film about WGES, in addition to a video highlighting the Solar Decathlon. Dubai was announced as the host of the first two rounds of the Solar Decathlon in 2018, and again in 2020, to coincide with World Expo in Dubai, and preparations are already well underway.

The Solar Decathlon’s Director, Richard King, then addressed audiences before the competition teams were welcomed on stage:

“Since we started in 2002, the Solar Decathlon has helped educate 130 collegiate teams involving nearly 20,000 students and faculty.  It has expanded to Europe, China, and Latin America to involve an additional 94 teams and 12,000 participants, and now the Middle East – right here in Dubai! We are honoured to be a part of this important Summit, and we will do our part to help ‘Drive the Global Green Economy’.”

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.