Dubai, UAE - 21 April, 2015

The World Green Economy Summit (WGES) 2015, 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 hosted by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) in association with World Climate Ltd, commences today  under the theme of 'Global Partnerships, Sustainable Future', and will last for two days (22-23 April) at Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre.

The Summit will build on the Dubai Declaration, a key outcome of WGES 2014, a list of recommendations and commitments agreed by Dubai in order to enable the Emirate to develop into a global Capital of the Green Economy. A key part of this ambition is stimulating public private partnerships (PPPs), combining public sector regulation and infrastructure with private technology and capital.

Speaking ahead of the Summit, HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the DSCE and MD & CEO of DEWA and Chairman of the Summit, said;

"The World Green Economy Summit is a continuation of the relentless and great efforts made by the UAE in general and the Emirate of Dubai in particular, aiming to promote its position as a global capital for green economy and drive its development into a green economy, through investment, green partnerships and the creation of a global market for green products, technologies and services. The Summit will bring together global leaders to look at ways we can pursue a sustainable future and forge global partnerships in order to drive the transition to a global green economy. Establishing Dubai's global position as the Capital of the Green Economy and its pivotal role in achieving the UAE Vision 2021 will enable us to build a sustainable and competitive economy for the future as well as achieving the objectives of the UAE Vision 2021 and Dubai Plan 2021."

Waleed Salman, Vice Chairman of the Summit said:

"Following a very successful inaugural WGES in 2014, this year's Summit will see top decision makers in the field of green economy and sustainability, including governments, non-government organisations and key thinkers from the business sector come together to look at the business opportunity around the green economy. The Summit will focus on partnerships between the public and private sector, and we plan to announce a number of partnerships that will support the development of innovative and sustainable solutions to driving the Global Green Economy.'

The Summit's opening ceremony, titled 'Leading the Way for the Green Economy' will include speakers:

The Summit's opening ceremony, titled 'Leading the Way for the Green Economy' will include speakers:

·        HE Dr. Rashid Ahmed Mohammad bin Fahad, Minister of Environment & Water

·        HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman, Dubai Supreme Council of Energy

·        Nicolas Hulot, Special Envoy for Climate Change, French Presidency

·        Adnan Z. Amin, Director General, IREAN

·        Dr Matar Al Neyadi, Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Energy

The opening ceremony will be followed by plenary and breakout sessions, including 'Green Economy Framework', 'Greening Cities', 'Innovative Green Finance' and 'Global Partnerships: Building Green PPPs'.

Day two of the Summit will include plenary sessions titled 'Green Development Visionaries', 'Global Partnerships: South-South Relations for a Green Economy', 'PPPs: Risks, Rewards and Solutions', 'Green Consumption', 'Youth and Behavioural Changes to Combat Climate Change' and 'Smart Cities'.

-Ends-

© Press Release 2015