ABU DHABI, 28th April, 2016 (WAM)--Today, Masdar employees and alumni gathered in Masdar City to mark ten years of achievement in advancing the clean energy industry in Abu Dhabi and around the world.

Under the banner "Seizing the Next Decade," participants were invited to reflect on Masdars significant and widespread impact to date and the promise of the next ten years, as part of an organisation defined by the spirit of partnership, collaboration and innovation.

During the breakfast reception, Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of State and Chairman of Masdar, and Ahmed Al Sayegh, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Global Market, were honoured for their contribution to Masdars success.

Dr. Ahmad Belhoul, Minister of Higher Education, members of Masdars board of directors, and associates from Mubadala Development Company also attended the breakfast gathering, including Musabbeh Al Kaabi, Chief Executive Officer of Mubadala Petroleum, and Carlos Obeid, Group Chief Financial Officer at Mubadala.

In his opening remarks, Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, described the companys impact over the last decade and outlined his vision for the company in the years ahead.

"The last ten years of Masdar have truly been a decade of innovation. We have grown from a bold initiative into a global enterprise driving the adoption of clean energy and sustainable development. We are a major investor in renewable energy, deploying new capacity around the world and increasingly here in the region. We are building the worlds most sustainable city, home to the worlds first graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies. And we are the hub of the global sustainability debate, thanks to platforms such as Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week."Dr. Nawal Al Hosany, Director of the Zayed Future Energy Prize and Director of Sustainability at Masdar, was also commended for her outstanding contribution to advancing the role of women in education, renewable energy and sustainability.

Masdar employees completing ten years of service were also recognised at the anniversary event.

Masdar begins the next decade having built a strong global brand and a robust financial and technical foundation. The company achieved sustained profitability across its business units in 2015. Its renewable energy arm has deployed 1 gigawatt of clean energy and has another 0.7 under development.

Masdar City is set to expand to 35% of its planned built-up area in the next five years as part of its journey building a greenprint for cities of the future. Masdar is also undertaking pioneering innovation in the critical fields of renewable powered desalination, carbon capture, utilisation and storage, and energy and battery storage.

"Our goal over the next 10 years is to strengthen the position of clean energy in the global energy mix, and the international standing of the UAE as a responsible energy leader," added Al Ramahi.

"By continuing to make clean energy commercially viable, we are helping to protect the planet, to inspire innovation and new industries, and to diversify not only the economy of the UAE but economies around the world. We have ambitious aims, and over the last ten years we have taken steady steps towards them every day." Masdar was launched on April 23, 2006 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Abu Dhabis renewable energy company was mandated to support the diversification of the UAEs economy through advancing the development, deployment and commercialisation of renewable energy and clean technology.

A series of educational installations at Masdar City offer visitors a further insight into Masdars journey and achievements since it was founded.

Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2016.