Dubai Global Energy Forum 2013 Kicks off

The second session of the Dubai Global Energy Forum starts today, under the theme ‘Clean Energy for Sustainable Development.’ 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, and organised by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, the Forum runs until Wednesday April 17 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC). The Forum is being launched today with an Opening Ceremony in the presence of H. H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, H. H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Supreme Council, HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Supreme Council, senior government officials, key industry representatives and a large number of journalists, alongside members of the general public. “What we see today is the fruit of the seed planted by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum when he launched the national long-term initiative ‘Green Economy for Sustainable Development,’ which aims to position the UAE as a world leader in the field of sustainability,” said Al Tayer. “We at the Supreme Council are drawing up a roadmap for the future of sustainable development at the local, regional and global levels; this Forum plays a major role in realising that vision, providing a global platform for thought leaders and experts to exchange views on emerging regional and worldwide issues in the fields of policies and programmes, best practices and investment opportunities in the clean energy sector. The Forum also serves as a place for the interchange of ideas amongst key clean energy stakeholders, and facilitates discussion of the main environmental and sustainability issues that affect the region and the wider world.” The keynote speakers at today’s Opening Ceremony are the following: Dr. Awadh Al Barasi, Deputy Prime Minister of Libya, John Bruton, former Irish Prime Minister and European Union Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Michael Fubi, CEO of RWE Technology, and Mustafa Dundar, President of the Union of Municipalities of the Turkish city of Bursa. The Forum will cover a number of key tracks and topics over the next three days that focus on sustainable development. Day Two sees talks on policies, regulations and clean energy sources, with industry leaders highlighting the need for policy controls that support the use of clean energy and sustainable green technologies. Also up for discussion tomorrow is the role of governments in creating supportive regulatory frameworks to encourage private investment in the sector, and how to integrate financing mechanisms for green projects. Speakers will debate methods of financing through the creation of a special fund to support clean energy, how to integrate renewables into the energy supply chain, and the factors affecting the diversification of fuel sources. Day Two will also see experts exchanging views on demand management of energy supply and how to increase energy efficiency, and on global developments in clean energy and how they will impact on the sector in the future. Techniques for reducing pollution and carbon dioxide emissions will be discussed, alongside encouraging the rational use of water, electricity and transportation fuel. There will be a focus on developments and technological upgrades in the renewable energy sector, as well as the regulatory framework and incentives needed to encourage energy efficiency. The third and final day of the Forum will see the debate centred on urban planning, climate change policies and green cities, with experts discussing greenhouse gas emissions, carbon management, carbon capture and storage and integrated physical planning, with an additional focus on education, community awareness and capacity building. Dubai is placing great importance in implementing major sustainable development initiatives as an essential step in the Emirate’s desire to help lead the global drive for clean energy. Dubai last year hosted the World Energy Forum, which was held for the first time outside the United Nations headquarters in New York, under the theme ‘A Forum for World Leaders.’ The conference discussed the need to ensure a safe and sustainable energy supply for the entire world population, in order to power the drivers of continued socio-economic growth. With energy supply an essential requirement for growth and progress, the forum concluded with the signing of the Dubai Declaration of Energy for All, which affirmed the commitment of world leaders and key decision makers to the cause of sustainable energy. It was also declared that 22 October will be the annual World Energy Day. The objectives of the Forum are aligned with the recommendations of the Rio+20 United Nations Conference, held under the theme ‘The Future We Want,’ which drew a roadmap for sustainable development at the international level based on the principles of a Green Economy. The inaugural Forum was held in 2011 under the theme ‘Energy Challenges and Opportunities for a Sustainable Future,’ and included keynote speeches from Dr Mohamed ElBaradei, former Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005 and Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, the former Indian President. DGEF 2013 is expected to be even more important and influential, offering a platform for experts from around the world to discuss some of the major issues in the fields of energy, environment and sustainability. The Forum is held in partnership with a number of organisations: DEWA, Dubai Aluminium (DUBAL), Dubai Supply Authority (DUSUP), Dubai Petroleum Corp, BMW, Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI), Emirates NBD, CNBC Arabia, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), HSBC, Credit Agricole, Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and Arabian Radio Network (ARN). Other partners include Samba Bank, Dragon Oil, Citibank, Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) and United Bank Limited (UBL).