DUBAI, UAE, 15 April 2015

Sustainability is one of the main objectives of the second World Green Economy Summit (WGES 2015), which is held on 22-23 April at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. WGES is held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. It is held under the umbrella of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, in collaboration with the Dubai Green Economy Partnership, and the Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX 2015).

WGES, which is the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa, is a global platform for the development of strategic partnerships and innovative solutions that support sustainability and enhance green economy. It brings together a number of the most prominent international experts and decision-makers, and those interested in achieving a sustainable future for the whole world. The Summit is also a platform for discussing and striking global partnerships that help accelerate the shift towards a green economy. The Summit, whose theme is The Global Green Economy, will discuss four major topics: Green Economy Framework, International Leadership, Global Partnerships, and Innovation. WGES 2015 builds upon WGES 2014, whose most significant outcome was the Dubai Declaration, which included Dubai's commitment to become a global hub for green economy.

HE Suhail Mohamed Faraj Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy, HE Dr. Rashid Ahmed bin Fahad, UAE Minister of Environment and Water, HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA, HE Dr. Taher Shakhashir, Jordan's Minister of Environment, HE Nicolas Hulot , the French President's Special Envoy for Climate Change, Adnan Amin, Director General of IRENA, and Mohammed and Peyman Al Awadhi, Co-Founders of Qabeela New Media, participated in a plenary session entitled 'Leading the Way for the Green Economy.'

"Making resources sustainable by using them effectively and efficiently is one of the most important environmental issues that countries around the world are focusing on. Dubai is a role model in the region in green infrastructure, whether by investing in renewable energy, green-building standards, or effective management of resources. WGES is moving forward in this direction to achieve the Dubai Plan 2021 for Dubai to become sustainable and innovative in the way it manages its resources. Each year, WGES's agenda is full of events and proposals to promote sustainability standards and enhance partnerships and cooperation. These pave the way for Dubai'd hosting Expo 2020, which highlights the important role of forging new partnerships to create lasting sources of energy and water and planning for resource scarcity by conserving and effectively managing new and existing resources. Expo 2020 Dubai will be a monument to Green Economy and sustainable development as Dubai is planning to make it the most sustainable Expo," said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA and Chairman of the World Green Economy Summit (WGES 2015).

"Our wise leadership has developed national legislation and launched initiatives to promote sustainability in all aspects of life and in all major projects. The Green Economy for Sustainable Development initiative, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, enhances sustainability and conserves resources for future generations. This is done by developing new solutions that increase the efficiency of energy and water use and support sustainable city standards. Participants at WGES will review the most important solutions and initiatives by experts and specialists in innovative and smart systems and technologies in renewable energy. They will also have the opportunity to strike partnerships and green financing deals," added Al Tayer.

Al Tayer noted that the discussion sessions in the first WGES, which witnessed wide participation from top government officials, relevant international organisations, experts, professionals, and academics, enriched the Summit by sharing ideas, expertise, and scientific research to help achieve a green economy. A green economy is the way forward to ensure sustainability on economic, environmental and social fronts to achieve people's aspirations.

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More information on WGES, its agenda, and list of speakers can be found on the WGES website: www.wges.ae

For more information, please contact:
Ribal Dayekh or Noora Khoory     
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority 
+9714 515 1784 
ribal.dayekh@dewa.gov.ae 
noora.khoory@dewa.gov.ae 
           
Mutasem Shadid or Mazen Alebrahem
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
+9714 450 7675/450 7613
mutasem.shadid@bm.com
Mazen.Alebrahem@bm.com

© Press Release 2015