Second Dubai global energy forum announced

The second Dubai Global Energy Forum (DGEF 2013) will take place from 15-17 April at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Forum is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, and organised by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy under the theme ?Clean Energy for Sustainable Development.' The forum's goals support the vision of Dubai's leadership and Sheikh Mohammed's national long term initiative ?Green Economy for Sustainable Development,' which aims to position the UAE as a global leader in sustainability. The announcement was made by the Supreme Council at a press conference attended by Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice-Chairman of the Supreme Council, general managers and leading officials from the Supreme Council and a large number of journalists. Dubai is placing considerable emphasis on facilitating the global development of clean energy in order to promote sustainable development. Last year Dubai became the first city to host the World Energy Forum (WEF) outside the United Nations headquarters in New York. Under the theme ?A Forum for World Leaders', WEF 2012 discussed the need for the development of safe, sustainable energy for the entire world as a means of driving continued socio-economic growth. With energy supply an essential requirement for growth and progress, the forum concluded with the signing of the Dubai Declaration, which affirmed the commitment of world leaders and key decision makers to the cause of sustainable energy. It was also decided that 22 October will be the official World Energy Day. DGEF's objectives 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 global sustainable development based on the principles of a Green Economy. Following the success of the first Forum held in 2011, which 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 will attract an even greater number of experts, government officials and key industry players, and promises to be a major platform for debate in the global clean energy sector. The forum will facilitate discussion of key energy, environment and sustainability issues, alongside how to encourage investment in green projects, ways to reduce energy and water consumption through influencing consumer behaviour, current energy policies, and an outlook for this important sector. The forum will also explore the latest solutions, technologies and investment opportunities for clean energy and sustainable development. "The objectives of the forum align with our leadership's vision and support the national long term initiative of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum entitled ?Green Economy for Sustainable Development,' which aims to position the United Arab Emirates as one of the pioneers in sustainability," said Al Tayer. "Clean energy is a key driver for sustainable development, and we must therefore examine the issue and discuss its many aspects in an effort to reach the best possible solutions in supplying clean energy from across the different sources available. We must also consider our environment, which must be placed at the forefront of our priorities through reducing our carbon emissions from fossil fuels," continued Al Tayer. "We at the Supreme Council are focusing all our efforts on strengthening the capabilities of renewable energy sources at both a local and global level. In this regard, we have launched several renewable energy projects, such as the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. This initiative is in line with the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030, which seeks to diversify Dubai's energy mix and make use of renewable energy sources to contribute a targeted 5% of total energy generation by 2030, with nuclear energy providing a further 12%, clean coal 12% and the rest generated using gas. The Supreme Council also focuses on energy demand management, targeting a 30% reduction in demand by 2030, which would result in a massive decrease in carbon emissions, another key topic to be discussed at the forum," he also said. "We would like to thank the Supreme Council's members and DGEF's sponsors and partners for their support in holding this second forum, which is not only key to Dubai's objectives for sustainable energy, but also critical in facilitating the debate on clean energy management and sustainability," added Al Tayer. This year's Forum is made up of seven major tracks, which consists of plenary and parallel sessions of keynote speakers and panellists. Sessions topics include: investing in green projects, the potential of nuclear energy in the MENA region, how to unlock solar energy's potential, and influencing consumer behaviour in an effort to reduce energy and water consumption. DGEF 2013 is being held at the same time as the Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (WETEX 2013) at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition and Convention Centre.