World leaders look to WFES for clean energy revolution
World leaders looked to the recently concluded World Future Energy Summit (WFES) in Abu Dhabi as they sought to forge new partnerships towards a “clean energy revolution” that delivers both growth and sustainability.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
Calling for more focus on renewable energy, Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary General, addressed the summit opening with a call for a different kind of revolution. “Our challenge is transformation; we need a global clean energy revolution, a revolution that makes energy available and affordable for all,” he said. “We need to get our priorities right, but we are on the brink of an exciting sustainable future – clean energy for all.”
He interacted with a cross-section of experts from business, academia and government, exchanging ideas on renewable energy, climate change and new technologies. The high-level discussions also focused on ways to further condition the global business climate, to spur innovation and create constructive competition within the renewable energy and sustainability fields.
US President Barack Obama, in a letter to the US exhibitors attending the summit, acknowledged the significance of WFFES in increasing economic growth and creating jobs.
“Selected by the US Department of Commerce as part of the US Commercial Service’s Trade Fair Certification Program, this prominent trade exhibition is an excellent venue for developing new business,” he said. “By opening new markets and promoting trade, we are creating new sales channels for US products and services. The business relationships developed at this trade show will help increase economic growth and create jobs throughout the United States.”
Obama’s recognition of WFES comes on the heels of a visit by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Abu Dhabi, where she emphasised the strong relationship between the US and the UAE. She also praised Abu Dhabi’s commitment to the development of renewable energy and climate change mitigation. “I want my country to know how advanced you are in pursuing clean renewable energy,” she said in a speech at Masdar City. “I want the world to know that the US is partnering with you because we are betting on Abu Dhabi and the UAE.”
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Managing Director and CEO of Masdar
HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, in the meantime, met with the Young Future Energy Leaders (YEFL), a key element of the annual WFES that focuses on raising awareness amongst students and young professionals in the fields of renewable energy and sustainability. This unique programme, led by Masdar Institute, helps mentor future leaders in the fields of alternative energy by engaging them with the leaders of today and giving them the opportunity to become more engaged in finding solutions to the world’s biggest challenges: energy efficiency and climate change.
On its fourth year, WFES has grown to be one of the leading global forums for renewable energies. More than 3,000 delegates, including 35 official delegations, attended the opening ceremony – an increase of 16% – and over 26,000 visitors from 137 countries attended the four-day event.
Hosted by Masdar, WFES was under the patronage of H H General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
Abu Dhabi’s multi-faceted initiative for advancing the development and deployment of renewable energy and clean technologies, Masdar is a commercially driven enterprise. It operates through five integrated units, including an independent, research-driven graduate university, and seeks to become a leader in making renewable energy a real, viable business. It is also working for Abu Dhabi to become a global centre of excellence in the renewable energy and clean technology category.
