Organized by founding partners GE and The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, hosted by the American University in Dubai

"How can we mobilize individuals, companies and states for fundamental change, which is not cost neutral and whose results are sometimes distant? This question is I believe at the heart of any environmental commitment." HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco

Dubai, UAE; February 4, 2016: Cutting straight to the heart of the Middle East's energy efficiency challenges, the inaugural Emirates Energy Efficiency Summit (EEES 2016) has brought together some of the industry's most influential thinkers this week, to tackle the biggest issues facing the region today.

Hosted by founding partners GE and The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the invitation-only summit comes following a year of continued global energy crises and renewed volatility in the crude oil market - making the informative program of roundtable discussions and expert presentations more relevant and vital than ever before.

Combining business and social interests with government action in order to drive progress on energy saving and climate change projects, the summit aimed to foster enhanced communication, while educating participants about key energy efficiency issues and trends.  With high-level delegates spanning the worlds of business, government and the media, the event provided a thought-provoking platform for two-way dialogue - with numerous takeaways that will go on to deliver real action. 

Held at the American University in Dubai, delegates were welcomed by partners Dalya Al Muthanna, President & CEO of GE Gulf; HE Mr. Bernard Fautrier, Vice-President & CEO of The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation; Dr. Lance E. de Masi, President of AUD and Dr. Mohamed Ahmed Bin Fahad, Chairman of the Zayed International Foundation for the Environment.

HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco attended the inaugural Emirates Energy Efficiency Summit and shared his own insights into the discussion.  His Serene Highness commented: "As a follow up to the Euro Mediterranean meetings organized in Monaco over the past five years, the Emirates Energy Efficiency Summit offers a global approach to energy issues, due both to the questions raised and the eminent figures who provide answers. How can we mobilize individuals, companies and states for fundamental change, which is not cost neutral and whose results are sometimes distant? This question is I believe at the heart of any environmental commitment."

Welcoming the guests to the university, Dr. Lance de Masi, President of AUD, commented: "Any role that AUD or its constituencies can play in facilitating discussion of this topic and the steps that need to be taken to improve awareness and provoke action by government and/or the private sector assists in the university's mission to contribute to society, both locally and worldwide. In that respect, I am pleased that attendees had the chance to hear directly from AUD students on this subject. And I would be remiss if I didn't mention the wider national context of responsiveness circumscribed by the UAE's many achievements in the field of energy efficiency. Let us not forget the position of renewable and clean energy as a pillar of the UAE National Innovation Strategy."  

Dalya Al Muthanna observed: "The Summit is a path-breaking event as it mobilizes definitive action on energy efficiency, which is a key pillar of sustainable development and an imperative in today's economic environment.  The UAE is taking the lead in this with the government's focus on promoting clean energy initiatives, and nurturing a culture of innovation and localization. GE's Industrial Internet solutions that promote the operational efficiency and productivity of our partners, and our Ecomagination commitment complement the UAE Vision 2021 and the Smart City initiative announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, which are led by the pillars of digitization, innovation and sustainability."

Among the prestigious speakers that took to the stage were HE Ahmad Buti Al Muhairbi, Secretary General, Supreme Council of Energy; Dr. Meshgan Al Awar Secretary General Zayed International Prize for the Environment, Dubai and Mr Abdulla Alshahyari, Acting Director of the Conservation and Efficiency Department at the UAE Ministry of Energy, who shared case studies and examples of best practice, as well as showcasing existing and future initiatives.

Erdem Soyal, Project Sales General Manager for GE Middle East, Africa and Turkey (MEAT), commented: "Sharing knowledge and insights is an important part of the process towards creating tangible and lasting change. This first event has been a real success and a major step forward in achieving our energy efficiency goals.  Our hope is that the Emirates Energy Efficiency Summit will create an annual space for motivated organizations and individuals to come together and debate the real issues and problems - through which we can find true solutions to the energy challenges we face today."

Join the conversation at our GE Hewar blog: http://middleeast.geblogs.com/

About GE:
GE (NYSE: GE) is the world's Digital Industrial Company, transforming industry with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive. GE is organized around a global exchange of knowledge, the "GE Store," through which each business shares and accesses the same technology, markets, structure and intellect. Each invention further fuels innovation and application across our industrial sectors. With people, services, technology and scale, GE delivers better outcomes for customers by speaking the language of industry. www.ge.com

About the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation:
In June 2006, HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco decided to set up his Foundation in order to address the alarming threats hanging over our planet's environment. The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation works for the protection of the environment and the promotion of sustainable development. The Foundation supports projects in three main geographical regions: the Mediterranean Basin, the Polar Regions and the Least Developed Countries. The Foundation's efforts focus on three main sectors: Climate change and renewable energies, biodiversity, and integrated and sustainable water management together with the fight against desertification. To find out more: www.fpa2.com / www.facebook.com/FondationPrinceAlbertIIdeMonaco  

About AUD
The American University in Dubai (AUD) is a private, non-sectarian institution of higher learning founded in 1995. It serves UAE nationals and international students who seek world-class career-oriented education. AUD, as an international institution of higher education, encourages global understanding by providing an atmosphere of cultural diversity and opportunities for an international education.

AUD is officially licensed by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The Ministry has accredited the university's programs in International Studies, Business Administration (both undergraduate and graduate), Communication and Information Studies, Engineering, Architecture, Visual Communication and Interior Design, Education (graduate), and Construction Management (graduate), in addition to a Certificate program in Middle Eastern Studies.

AUD is permitted by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).

AUD is accredited in the USA by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) Commission on Colleges (COC) to award Bachelor's and Master's degrees.   

AUD is approved to operate by the State of Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (NPEC).

AUD has received specialized accreditation for its Bachelor's of Business Administration (B.B.A.), and Master's of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree programs in business through the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE).

The university's undergraduate majors in Marketing Communications and Advertising have been accredited by the International Advertising Association (IAA) in New York.

The Civil, Computer, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Programs of AUD's School of Engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

The Bachelor of Communication and Information Studies program, with majors in (1) Digital Production and Storytelling and (2) Journalism is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC).

For more information, please contact:                                                                                                     
Caroline Wehbeh                                           
GE Communications Leader, North Africa
+9714 4296318
caroline.wehbeh@ge.com
                   
Kelly Home/Nivine William
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller     
+9714 4507 600
kelly.home@bm.com / nivine.william@bm.com

Gerry Cherry
CIB Communications
Riversway
Leatherhead Bridge, Guildford Road, Leatherhead,
Surrey, KT22 9AD, Tel: 01372 371800,
Fax: 01372 371801,
pradmin@cibcomms.co.uk

© Press Release 2016