• Wide international participation in the summit including HE François Hollande, former President of France
  • Key focus on the role of youth in reaching a green economy as day one concludes

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai attended today (Wednesday, 24th October 2018) the inauguration ceremony of the fifth World Green Economy Summit 2018 in Dubai, which is being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre under the theme ‘Driving innovation, leading change’.

During the opening ceremony, His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum honoured delegations and representatives of countries participating in the Preparatory Conference on the Establishment of World Green Economy Organization (WGEO) where a group photo was taken.

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy in Dubai, Managing Director and CEO of DEWA, and Chairman of WGES, delivered his keynotes at the summit, extending thanks and gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for inaugurating the fifth edition of the World Green Economy Summit 2018. HE Al Tayer reaffirmed that the Summit comes in line with the vision of the wise leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai whom we hold the summit under his kind patronage, and the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE's Armed Forces, for the United Arab Emirates to be the best country in the world, by the UAE Centennial 2071.

HE Al Tayer announced that the UAE, Republic of Korea and Italy have expressed their interest to join the World Green Economy Organisation (WGEO), adding that more than 60 country representatives will attend the preparatory conference on the establishment of the World Green Economy Organization.

The opening ceremony was attended by prominent figures including HE Francois Hollande, former President of France; HE Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, UAE; HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy (DSCE), Managing Director and CEO of DEWA, and Chairman of WGES, HE Thoriq Ibrahim, Minister of Environment and Energy, Maldives; Nezha El Ouafi, Secretary of State to the Minister of Energy, Mines and Sustainable Development, in charge of Sustainable Development, Morocco and Christiana Figueres, Former Secretary General, UNFCCC.

“The World Green Economy Summit this year focuses on best global practices and experiences in the digital transformation and its integration into a green economy. It will also discuss latest digital technologies and innovations that will contribute in pushing forward the green growth and sustainable development, as well as expanding new funding mechanisms such as the green financing. The Summit will also look into new means to measure the carbon footprint and utilise artificial intelligence in clean energy as each of these contributes efficiently in building a green economy, which will enhance our stand in combatting the biggest global issue our earth is facing now and in the future that is climate change, said HE Al Tayer.

“From this summit, we strongly urge leaders, experts, governments and all stakeholders to work hand in hand to face this challenge before it is too late and implement the global commitments that have been made at Paris Agreement for climate change. These commitments were pronounced through integrated initiatives and projects that depend on clean energy as well as through efficiently moving towards green systems, whilst using latest technologies that adapt to digital and innovative solutions” he further said.

He added: “In the UAE, we have initiated key initiatives that accelerate the pace of a green economy through the launch of UAE Green Agenda 2030 and Clean Energy Strategy 2050, as well as directives from our wise leadership. We have translated this into policies and projects that rely on innovation. Our efforts also focus on enhancing collaboration to implement the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030”.

“The UAE has made strong strides in clean energy projects and strategies such as The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park - the largest single-site solar park in the world with a planned capacity of 5,000MW by 2030. This park will contribute to achieving 75 percent of Dubai’s energy from clean energy sources by 2050, in addition to other clean energy projects as Masdar in Abu Dhabi,” HE Al Tayer said.

“In addition to exchanging expertise between industrial and academic sectors to achieve global sustainability backed with green environmental elements. Dubai has succeeded in hosting the Solar Decathlon Middle East, which will be organised next month. Dubai will also host the second edition in 2020 to coincide with Expo Dubai 2020. We are working relentlessly to host the best edition in the exhibition’s history,” he further said.

“We also focus on empowering Emiratis and creating job opportunities especially for the youth, and enhancing efforts on research and development in smart cities and digital transformation. We do this by adopting the latest advanced technologies of the 4th Industrial Revolution and disruptive technologies such as Artificial intelligence, unmanned aerial vehicles, energy storage and blockchain. One of our key examples is establishing Digital DEWA, the digital arm of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority” HE Al Tayer pointed out.

“In last year’s summit, we witnessed the launch of the first ‘Green Fund’ with a value of 2.4 billion dirhams as part of 100 billion dirhams Dubai Green Fund that aims to motivate clean energy projects.

“Last year His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai witnessed the announcement of the Countries Platform of the World Green Economy Organisation (WGEO), which His Highness launched in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme in the third edition of The World Green Economy Summit. Three countries have expressed their interest to join the organisation including the UAE, the Republic of Korea and Italy. This year, we announce the participation of more than 60 country representatives interested in joining and attending the Preparatory Conference on the Establishment of World Green Economy Organisation” HE Al Tayer noted.

Concluding his speech, Al Tayer expressed his gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, for his presence at the Summit, which is being held under kind patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

He also thanked the sponsors and partners for their support and contribution to the success of WGES and to ultimately achieve its objectives.

The inaugural event witnessed a speech for Mr. Francois Hollande, Former President of France, during which he spoke about international efforts being made so far to achieve the united nation sustainable development goals and how France is combating climate change in light of its adoption to the most effective initiatives. He also spoke about the role developing countries can play to address climate change compared to the role played by developed countries.

It also witnessed a speech by HE Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, highlighting the UAE’s transformation progress into green economy.

Ms. Christina Figueres - Former Secretary General of the UNFCCC, also gave a speech, reviewing leading efforts being made by the United Nations and Member States to tackle climate change in all areas. She also shared her own insights based on her experience on creating a more flexible and effective ways in this regard.

Also during the inaugural event, the UAE’s achievements made in the green economy transformation were reviewed through a video presentation.

The first day of the summit witnessed various discussions on the role of green economy in national strategies during a plenary session titled ‘Driving the green economy in the national agenda’.

HE Thoriq Ibrahim, Minister of Environment and Energy, Maldives; Nezha El Ouafi, Secretary of State to the Minister of Energy, Mines and Sustainable Development, in charge of Sustainable Development, Morocco, took part in the discussions.

The session tackled various challenges facing ministries of environment all around the world as well as green economy policies, legislation and regulations, and development of interaction between tourism and sustainability.

In addition, a parallel session titled the  “World Expos – Inspiring through Collaboration” was also held in the first day of the summit in the presence of Anoosha Almarzouqi Head of Partnerships and Co-Creation, Opportunity Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai, Dr. Matt Kennedy Head of Strategy and Business, International Energy Research Centre, United Kingdom, and Jennifer Colville Innovation Team Lead, UNDP, Jordan.

This session highlighted the role of collaboration in solving global issues and creating a positive impact, and ensuring a sustainable future by employing the concepts of circular economy in various activities, while the participants at ‘The green economy and disruptive technologies’ session reviewed capabilities of Blockchain technology to accelerate climate change mitigation measures.

Also on the first day of the summit, a special youth engagement session was held. HE Al Tayer opened the session, which was moderated by Khalid Al Ameri, UAE Content creator and social commentator, HE Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Secretary General of The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), Daniel Zywietz, Founder & CEO of Enerwhere, UAE, and Shaima Al Qassab, Co-Founder & CEO, Algalife, UAE.

The youth engagement session discussed the Climate Innovation Exchange (CLIX) for green entrepreneurs. The session further discussed the possibility of financing green innovations by young entrepreneurs in developing countries, in addition to some award-winning proposals and ideas.

HE Al Tayer expressed his pleasure to attend the youth session, saying: “His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE gives great importance to youth in their march towards innovation and creativity. Also, this session comes in line with directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai to enhance the role of youth in various sectors and fields for the UAE to be on par with advanced countries as well as to put it on the map of global completeness”.

He added: “This session on youth aims to highlight the Climate Innovations Exchange initiative launched by the UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change & Environment (MOCCAE) to provide a platform for young international green entrepreneurs to pitch ideas to investors. Also, involving the youth in the green transition will open up new avenues of employment for the young generation as well as offer countries of the world new skills, competencies and ways of thinking”

“At the DEWA front, as part of our relentless endeavours to strengthen the role of youth in leading the UAE's sustainability efforts, and to establish Dubai as a springboard for youth and their innovations, we have launched several initiatives and programs that support and empower youth, most notably the DEWA Youth Council to unleash youth's potential and promote their participation in the sustainable development. The council also launched the Youth Sustainability Pledge Campaign and we organized the first youth circle to activate the youth’s role in supporting future initiatives along a series of other effective youth sessions”, HE Al Tayer pointed out.

Addressing the attendees, HE Al Tayer said: “Our pursuit to enhance youth’s role stems from our firm belief in their potential to find innovative and sustainable solutions that will contribute in moving green economy forward to achieve sustainable development locally, regionally and internationally.

While the session today will serve as a great impetus to focus on the creative energies of the youth in different fields, I am confident that the constructive discussions that will follow soon will result in positive outcomes to be reflected in future policies and plans for a green economy. Furthermore, we’ll ensure that ideas, suggestions and contributions from today’s session will be presented to the right audience and decision-makers, which will serve as a boost for sustainable development and protection of the environment and facilitate a quick transition to the green economy,” Al Tayer concluded.

The youth session examined the UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change & Environment (MOCCAE) Climate Innovations Exchange (CLIX) model for young green entrepreneurs and the factors that led to its success and explored avenues of financing green innovations by green entrepreneurs in developing countries. It also discussed award-winning ideas and proposals and the possibility of adopting and implementing them.

WGES concludes today (Thursday, 25 October 2018) with a number of plenary sessions and parallel sessions. The Fifth Dubai Declaration will also be unveiled.

-Ends-

© Press Release 2018

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